Abstract: Different window assemblies can be fabricated and installed where the size of an electrical component is sized for a particular geometry of the window assembly. In a particular embodiment, an energy rating, which may include an energy consumption rate, a recharge rate, a recharge capacity, an electrical current leakage rate, another suitable parameter, or any combination thereof, may be used when determining the size of the electrical component to be used. If needed or desired, one or more trim panels can be used to cover portions of a window assembly to make the window more aesthetically pleasing.

Abstract: A daylighting system for use in a building including a louver array having a first longitudinal element, and a second longitudinal element spaced therefrom. At least one of the first and second elements has an asymmetrical profile, each of the first and second longitudinal elements has a bottom profile including a parabolic surface, portions of opposing surfaces of the first and second longitudinal elements define a compound parabolic concentrator profile having a non-horizontal centerline that is tilted upwards, and the array prevents line of sight therethrough. A louver for a daylighting system includes (i) a leading edge defined by a leading connecting surface disposal between a parabolic concentrator surface and a flat surface; and (ii) a trailing edge defined by a trailing connecting surface disposed between a lower compound parabolic concentrator profile, and an upper compound parabolic concentrator profile. A method for designing a louver profile is provided.

Abstract: A mounting bracket assembly is included that is capable of securing an associated rigid sunscreen on an associated building structure. The mounting bracket assembly can include a first bracket that is adapted for securement on the associated building structure and a second bracket that is adapted for securement on the associated rigid sunscreen. The first bracket can include a first interengaging feature, and the second bracket can include a second interengaging feature that is cooperative with the first interengaging feature of the first bracket. A sunscreen and mounting bracket assembly, a sunscreen and mounting bracket kit, and a method of assembly are also included.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to a system for adjusting the length and tension of a cable that is used to support another structure, such as bay and bow windows and, more particularly, to such a system that is easily micro-adjustable as well as macro-adjustable.

Abstract: The cable bracket mechanism is extendable between a cleat or clamp mounted to a building and a part of a bay or bow window that is remote from the building. The mechanism includes an elongated bracket having a a flange at one end extending about right angles to the main body and a reversely curved hook portion at the other end that is joined to the main body and is extended into a second bracket opening, a cable having one end connected to a building and at its opposite end to a stud extended through an aperture in the flange, the second bracket being mounted to the window, and a fastener threadable on the stud to bear against the flange for adjusting the tension in the cable.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to a system for adjusting the length and tension of a cable that is used to support another structure, such as bay and bow windows and, more particularly, to such a system that is easily micro-adjustable as well as macro-adjustable.

Abstract: The invention provides a panel unit of controllable radiation transmissivity, including a housing constituted by a front, radiation-receiving panel and a rear panel, the panels being spaced apart and connected to one another by connecting means; a plurality of rotatable radiation-blocking members disposed between the front panel and the rear panel, the members being rotatable from one angular position in which the radiation-blocking members are adapted to substantially block the passage of light through the panel unit, to a selectable plurality of other angular positions in which the radiation-blocking members are adapted to provide a plurality of differing radiation transmissivities; characterized in that first guiding surfaces for the rotatable radiation-blocking members are disposed inside of, and extend across, the housing.

Abstract: The installation of a garden window which encloses an opening in the wall of a building is effected by installing a support structure above the wall opening from which the garden window can be hung, then hanging the garden window from this structure in opening closing position and then permanently securing same to the wall. Also included in the invention are the garden window itself and its hanger support to facilitate such installation.

Abstract: A window is configured to bring nature into the interior of a building in a true physical sense. The window includes a frame configured to be permanently mounted to a perimeter of an opening in the wall of the building, an at least partially open exterior surface, an interior surface that is positioned inwardly of the interior surface of the wall, and a base and a top, each of which extends from the frame to the interior surface of the window. The interior surface of the window is formed from a plurality of interconnected sashes, at least some of which may be operable to provide access to the inwardly projecting alcove of the window from within the building. The inwardly projecting alcove of the window may contain accessories that may be mounted on the window using a convenient bracket that facilitates positioning of the accessories in the window and removal of the accessories for cleaning or maintenance.

Abstract: A window unit includes a window frame defining a frame perimeter and a window located within the frame perimeter. The window includes a display surface adapted to receive a display image. A display image source is disposed in the window frame and a speaker element is disposed in the window. The window can transform from a first transparent state to a second increased opacity state for receiving the display image on the display surface.

Abstract: The present invention involves a foldable bay window for mobile living quarters, such as recreational vehicles, is movable between an extended position, in which the bay window projects from a wall of the unit to a folded position, in which the components of the bay window assembly are substantially flat against the outer wall of the unit. The bay window assembly includes a pair of side panes which are slidably and pivotally mounted on horizontally extending tracks on the wall of the unit, and a center pane connecting the side panes. A bottom panel is pivotally connected to the wall or center pane and is constrained for movement along vertical tracks, to thereby force the panes into the folded position as the bottom panel is moved from a substantially horizontal position to a substantially vertical position. As the panes are folded against the wall of the vehicle, a hinged roof panel drops into a substantially vertical position.

Abstract: A sliding glass door system includes a conventional sliding glass door, fixed glass door, and a sliding screen door in combination with a sliding glass door display case. All are mounted on the outside wall of a house to slide parallel to each other in the manner of conventional sliding glass door systems. The sliding glass door display case has a frame commensurate in size to the frame of the sliding glass door and has a dish-shaped body which extends outwardly in cantilever fashion from its frame. Shelves are provided within the body in order to display items placed on them through the sliding glass door and/or the fixed glass door. The sliding glass door display case is especially suited for use as a personal sliding glass door greenhouse.

Abstract: A cover construction (10) for windows, including a generally rectangular housing member (20) which is affixed to, and projects outwardly from, a window frame (101) via a mounting flange (26) and further includes an angled roof panel (21), a floor panel (25), a pair of opposed side panels (22), (23) and a generally open front panel (24).

Abstract: The installation of a garden window which encloses an opening in the wall of a building is effected by installing a support structure above the wall opening from which the garden window can be hung, then hanging the garden window from this structure in opening closing position and then permanently securing same to the wall. Also included in the invention are the garden window itself and its hanger support to facilitate such installation.

Abstract: A decorative window well is provided with a plurality of planters coupled to the window well for supporting plants. The planters define a plurality of rows comprising a bottom row including a single planter, an intermediate row including a pair of planters, and a top row including more than two planters. The window well further has an arcuate lip integrally coupled to a top face thereof.

Abstract: A building extension having an external frame for supporting flat panels thereon with the flat panels secured to the external frame by a double-sided adhesive foam tape and having caps and flashings secured to the flat panels through use of double-sided adhesive fasteners to provide a waterproof roof unit which an individual can quickly and easily replace.

Abstract: A window support system for a bay or bow window to be installed on a home or other building wherein the system is secured to the head board and seat board of the unit and wherein the system comprises a vertically extending hollow pipe or solid rod disposed between inner and outer panes of glass which is secured in place by means of standard fastening devices both to the head board and seat board and wherein a turnbuckle is disposed between two threaded rods and at an angle of preferably 221/2 or 45 degrees from the head board. A standard pipe elbow is employed between the vertically extending rod or tool and the threaded rod to maintain the angle to the head board. An eye bolt is affixed to the existing house header and a second threaded rod having a hook on one end, distant from the turnbuckle, for cooperation with the eye bolt. Upon installation of the window the turnbuckle can therefore be rotated in either direction to properly level and secure the window to the house.

Abstract: Fire-resistant structures are provided having at least a 20 minute ASTM E-152 fire test rating. The structures include glass partition walls having framing members formed from a gypsum-containing composition having a density of at least about 60 lbs/ft.sup.3, a flexural strength of at least 30 lbs ( 1/2 inch thick material), and a screw-holding capacity of at least about 400 lbs. The gypsum-containing composition further contains a substantially uniform distribution of solids including about 65 wt.% to about 90 wt.% set gypsum dihydrate, about 7 wt.% to about 30 wt.% paper fiber, and about 1.5 wt.% to about 35 wt.% of one or more performance boosters selected from inorganic fiber, clay, vermiculite, and binder polymer.

Abstract: A prefabricated conservatory enclosure for a waste recycling center to be attached to a building includes an upper bay window recess having a bottom counter and a lower housing for enclosing one or more receptacles for recyclable material, the counter having openings for deposit of waste into the receptacles from the upper recess, and the lower portion of the enclosure having an integrating wall fitted with plumbing for a kitchen sink and adapted to be integrated with the structure of a building to which the enclosure is annexed.

Abstract: A bay window unit has sidewalls interconnected by a front wall and a top. A glass pane is positioned in the sidewalls and each sidewall has upper and lower rails and side rails surrounding the glass pane. A shear panel comprising a continuous sheet of material is overlayed and bonded to the upper and lower rails and side rails of each sidewall. The unit is attached to vertical studs and is cantilevered therefrom with one face of each sidewall overlapping and extending between confronting faces of the studs. The window unit has a pivotable sash mounted to the top which is operated by a linkage concealed by one of the shear panels.

Abstract: An elongate conduit directed from within a dwelling to position through a roof of the dwelling includes a mirrored interior surface, with its upper terminal end oriented orthogonally relative to the conduit, and a lower terminal end including a window portion directed through a forward wall of the conduit arranged substantially parallel to an axis of the conduit, with the mirror mounted to a lower terminal end of the conduit oriented at a relative forty-five degree relationship relative to the axis of the conduit to project light through the window. The conduit includes a mirrored surface therethrough. The invention further includes a transparent dome mounted over the upper terminal end of the conduit, and includes a rain trough positioned about a perimeter of the dome, with the rain trough including apertures directed therethrough.

Abstract: A greenhouse, to be provided in a window opening, includes an enclosed housing having a first operable window pane provided on the outer side of the window opening to allow air into the enclosed housing, and a second operable window pane provided on the inner side of the window opening. The windowsill of the window opening is provided with an elongated groove to serve as a plant box to contain soil to grow plants. A watering device is mounted on the enclosed housing adjacent to the second operable window pane. The watering device includes a receptacle to contain liquid to water the plants, a watering pipe member communicated with the receptacle and extending into the plant box, and a valve to control liquid flow from the receptacle to the pipe member. A surrounding temperature control device is similarly mounted on the enclosed housing adjacent to the second operable window pane.

Abstract: A prefabricated wall insert unit is disclosed for rapid installation in a wall having an outer surface, an internal space, a ceiling plate, and a floor support. When installed, an exterior assembly, with upper and side perimeter attachment areas, projects away from the outer wall surface. A header is fastened to the exterior assembly proximate the upper perimeter attachment area and is within the wall internal space immediately below the ceiling plate. At least two side support members are fastened to the upper support member and to the exterior assembly proximate the side perimeter attachment areas. When installed in the wall, the header and each said side support member are within the wall internal space and each side support member extends from the header to proximate the wall floor support.

Abstract: A sashless bay window which has a sill (20) with a curved front (22), a pair of jambs (32) and a header (34), all attached together on the ends forming a frame. A number of curved muntins (42) are joined together inside the frame creating a horizontal sub-division with vertical straight muntins (44) connected at the intersection forming a series of rectangular or square openings. Curved window panes (46) either of a uniform thickness or with beveled edges are mounted into the openings with glazing putty (48) or stops (50) completing the window. In a second embodiment the glazing and muntins (44) and (62) are straight forming a segmented arc curve. In either embodiment, a sash is not employed in the window construction.

Abstract: The vertical reflective enclosure, containing a double-pane bay window panels, with movable inserts between the panes, which function as shading devices, and a light reflective panels directly extending above the bay window panels at top portion, intended to channel the sunlight and an outside view from the translucent roof membrane to the exterior wall installed transparent mirror window. This enclosure, in the form of a bay shaft configuration adapted for positioning around such window, is attached at the upper end around the translucent roof membrane and at the bottom and terminated below the wall window.

Abstract: A prefabricated roof structure for bay or bow type window assembly. The roof structure includes a cap of unitary construction which covers a rigid infrastructure or frame. The frame is provided with a support ledge which forms an acute angle with the frame body, and a support beam is provided beneath the ledge to form a shoulder which abuts and engages a window frame for securing the frame thereto. A tensioning element such as a support bar, guy wire or cable may be provided to securely anchor the roof structure and window assembly to the wall of a building on which the window assembly is to be installed. The roof structure may be inverted to for a bottom support and cover to securely fasten the window assembly to the wall.

Abstract: A frame for mounting devices such as garden windows into the ordinary window frame of a builidng. It includes so-called outer channel members that preferably can surround the garden window and to which the garden window can be secured and inner channel members that are disposed within the outer channel members and are held therein fixedly by screws that adjust their spacing inwardly and outwardly with respect to the outer channel members so that they can accommodate variations in the size, warp, out of square, and the like of the window frames, and also so that they can hold foam material or the like that can seal around the frame to prevent air from passing around the frame into the building.

Abstract: A protective cover for window sills comprises an elongate keeper strip (6), pinned securely to an upper surface of the sill adjacent a window frame (4); an elongate anchor strip (8) pinned to an under surface of the sill adjacent the subjacent brickwork (3); and an elongate, U-shaped cover member (7) having upper, front and lower walls shaped to embrace the exposed portion of the sill. Free edge portions of the cover member (7) are formed with detents (7d) and are insertable with a push fit into corresponding recesses in the keeper strip and anchor strip.

Abstract: An interlocking mullion or window jamb of variable or adjustable angularity for use in bow or bay windows. The construction can be used with metal, plastic or wood windows.

Abstract: A bay window includes a frame assembly composed of an inner head, an inner transom, an inner sill, an outer head, an outer transom, an outer sill, a middle horizontal panel interconnecting the inner and outer transoms, and a lower horizontal panel interconnecting the inner and outer sills. A window unit is disposed between the outer head and the outer transom, and a housing or bay window cupboard is disposed between the middle and lower horizontal panels. A ventilator is accommodated in the housing and has an air inlet port communicating with air inlets defined in the inner sill and opening into a house interior space, and an air outlet port communicating with air outlets defined in the inner transom and opening into the house interior space.

Abstract: The invention is directed to an improved joint between building panels, e.g. molded roof panels for prefabricated bay windows, wherein the joint consists of a slot in the edge of one of the panels. The slot has side walls, each of which is at a different angle relative to the plane of the panel. The edge of the other panel is inserted into the slot and the respective side walls thereof are engaged by one side or the other of the edge of the other panel to locate the other panel in one angular position or another with respect to the plane of the first panel.

Abstract: A split mullion window frame has opposite frame members adapted for either attaching the window frame to adjacent building structure or to an adjacent such frame. Both frame members employ a nailing flange for attaching opposite sides of the frame to a building structure. According to the invention, outer portions of the nailing flanges are removable and the inner portion of one of the nailing flanges is offset so that, having removed the outer portions, the window frame members can be nested together with their respective inner flange portions overlapping. A second set of flanges is provided. They parallel the nailing flanges but are the same length as the inner portions of the nailing flanges. The second flanges are also mutually offset so as to overlap when the frame members are nested together, thereby forming a rigid interconnection between adjacent frame members of two windows mounted side-by-side without use of a separate mullion strip.

Abstract: A bay window unit is adapted to cover an opening in a building wall. An overhanging roof decking structure has a vertical first mounting portion at its inner end adapted to be fixedly secured to a fixed header in the building wall, a second mounting portion at its outer end, and a downwardly facing third mounting portion disposed intermediate the first and second mounting portions. A generally horizontally extending bracket member has its inner end secured to an exterior vertical surface of a fixed sill in the building wall. A frame of an exterior window assembly is disposed at the outer ends of the roof decking structure and the bracket member. A frame header is fixedly secured to the second mounting portion, and a frame sill rests on and is fixedly secured to the outer end of the bracket member.

Abstract: A pre-assembled unitary bay window construction having a plurality of window frames with related sash held in assembled relation by a peripheral frame structure, the frame structure being receivable in a wall opening and secured therein. The unitary window construction is prefabricated and may be handled as a unit. When used at a kitchen patio window above a kitchen counter, the counter space is extended outwardly, is protected from outside weather, yet can be utilized as an outside counter for eating purposes.