Abstract: A window muntin apparatus and system, and methods for forming the same is disclosed. The muntins are formed from a substrate of expanded cellular polyvinyl chloride (“PVC”) that has been applied with a desired muntin shape and machined by a computerized numerically controlled (CNC) machine such as a 3-axis router. Muntins are then sealed between two pieces of glass to create a sealed insulated glass unit.

Abstract: A sectional overhead door includes a window and associated grille and clip for mounting on the panel of the door. The window is mounted by a frame on both the front face and back face of the sectional door panel. The window grille is mounted to the front of the door panel and couples to the frame members on the front face of the panel. The underside of the grille is juxtaposed to the window or glazing element in the frame. The rear face of the grille includes a groove and the lateral sides of each grille member include a pair of rails or channels. A uniquely designed clip fits within the groove and channels. A forwardly projecting tang extends from the central body portion of the clip and is adapted to project into a hole or opening in the window frame when the clip slides relative to the grille member. Another aspect of this invention is that selected terminal ends of the grille members are similarly configured to include tabs that seat within notches in the window frame.

Abstract: A construction system includes a window assembly and a door assembly preferably having similar shapes. The window assembly includes a window frame defining a window opening and at least two window pane assemblies which may typically be opened and closed. A first portion of the window opening has a first shape and one of the window pane assemblies covers the first portion of the window opening and has an outer perimeter with a second shape different than the first shape. A thin layer of material on a window pane may form a divider creating an appearance that the window pane is a plurality of window panes. The door assembly includes a door frame with an inner circumference defining a door opening with one shape and a door which covers the door opening and has an outer circumference with another shape different than the shape of the door opening.

Abstract: A cornice for a window includes a decorative insert at least partially received by a cutout in the cornice. The insert includes edges and hook members depending from at least one of the edges. The cutout has a shape corresponding to at least a portion of the shape of the insert and includes at least one edge corresponding to an edge of the insert. The corresponding edges are abutted and adhesively attached to one another, and the hook members are coupled to the cornice. The cornice can be upholstered with any desired fabric, and the insert generally includes stained and/or cut or beveled decorative glass such that light behind the cornice also shines through the decorative glass.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for making a contoured muntin bar assembly or grid. A tubular muntin bar grid has a first muntin bar formed from an elongated tube having ends that engage a window spacer frame and include side walls that have relatively narrow top and bottom planar walls and relatively wider side planar walls. The top and bottom planar walls defining one or more slots that define intersecting muntin bar positions. One or more intersecting muntin bars formed from elongated tubes have ends that engages the first elongated muntin bar in a region of a slot. The grid includes one or more joiner clips for positioning the one or more intersecting muntin bars in relation to said first muntin bar.

Abstract: A non-metal window muntin formed from plastic or wood is described for use in hermetically sealed insulated glass windows. The process for forming the muntin includes machining polystyrene sheets which are painted with a latex pain and baked prior to use between sealed glass of the window.

Abstract: A window assembly comprising an elongated transparent pane, at least one lighting assembly and at least one opaque covering, the elongated transparent pane having the opaque covering associated with the interior surface thereof and having the lighting assembly mounted adjacent the interior surface of the opaque covering, the opaque covering having at least one aperture disposed therethrough wherein light emanating from the lighting assembly is visible from the exterior surface of the window assembly.

Abstract: A connector for holding an internal muntin assembly away from a perimeter spacer of an insulating glass assembly until the assembler is ready to affix the muntin bar to the perimeter bar using an attachment device. The connector includes a positioning tab for holding the muntin bar away from the perimeter spacer to allow positioning of the muntin bar assembly until the positioning tab is moved relative to a baseplate so that the attachment device, such as thick double stick tape, is pressed to the perimeter spacer.

Abstract: A terminal for use with a muntin bar or cross includes a muntin bar and a terminal plug. The muntin bar has an end and an outer surface. The end of the muntin bar includes a hollow space and an inner wall. The terminal plug is adapted to be inserted into the end of the muntin and includes a flange, a plug body and a longitudinal slot. When installed in the muntin, the flange engages the outer surface of the muntin. The plug body is designed to provide a press fit with the inner wall of the muntin by having at least part of the plug body being pressed against the inner wall of the muntin.

Abstract: A fenestration system including a glass unit, attachment member and decorative member is provided. The decorative member includes a rotatable coupler for easy attachment of the decorative member to the attachment member. An attachment system including a decorative member having a rotatable coupler is also provided. A rotatable coupler is also provided.

Abstract: A window assembly which includes at least some components which may be assembled in a snap-fit manner. In certain example embodiments, a combination of rotation/pivoting insertion, and a snap-fit assembly engagement of one or more components may be utilized in assembly. For example, a component may be engaged with a portion of another component, and then rotated and/or pivoted about a pivot axis until a portion of the component becomes engaged with a part of the window in a snap-fit manner. The combined use of rotation/pivoting about a pivot axis and snap-fit engagement allows for self-alignment to be realized during assembly thereby simplifying the assembly process.

Abstract: A plastic window assembly is adapted to be mounted in an opening defined by a structure. The plastic window assembly is oval-shaped with a decorative plastic window muntin. A plastic frame supports parallel window panes. The window muntin is disposed between the parallel window panes. Flat surfaces of the window muntin have a first edge and a second edge and include a ridge disposed along each of the edges. Marring of the window panes is prevented because the ridge provides for line contact between the window muntin and the window panes. The window muntin may also be integrally molded to a plastic pane disposed between the parallel panes of glass. The plastic pane includes a surface texture that simulates frosted glass. The plastic window assembly includes a plurality of liner panels that extend through the opening from an interior of the structure. The window assembly includes a flange having aperture throughwhich fasteners are inserted to secure the window assembly to the structure.

Abstract: A muntin bar assembly for a window or door including a peripheral frame; a continuous surface contained within the frame; at least one continuous muntin bar and at least two discontinuous muntin bars on at least one side of the surface. The continuous muntin bar and discontinuous muntin bars both contain a continuous recessed portion on their underside and are connected together using an intersection clip having a spring-type arrangement which forms an intersection of the bars. The intersection clip has a raised central section that fits within the recessed portion of the continuous muntin bar; and further has two extensions positioned at opposite sides from the central portion which permit engagement of the discontinuous muntin bars to form the muntin assembly. An end clip is also included for attachment and alignment of the inner and outer assembly muntin bar ends and has a U-shape that fits over the edges of the surface for aligning and attaching the inner and outer assembly muntin bars.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for making a contoured muntin bar. A supply of sheet material having a finished surface on at least one side in the form of a coiled ribbon is unwound and fed along a strip path of travel to a punch station. At the punch station a ribbon punching mechanism punches the ribbon at a precisely predetermined locations along the ribbon to form one of a plurality notch patterns that define a portion of a contoured muntin bar. Downstream along the travel path from the punch station the ribbon is fed through a forming station having a succession of forming rolls that define a succession of forming roll nips to bend the ribbon and form a generally closed cross-sectional tube. The rolls form a number of bending stages to produce a muntin bar tube having a contoured shape with raised sides to provide an attractive appearance to a muntin grid.

Abstract: One aspect of the present invention relates to a lite for a building structure. The lite includes a first peripheral caming framework and a first glass unit supported within the first peripheral caming framework. The first glass unit includes a plurality of glass members and a second caming framework supporting the glass members. The glass members include at least one slump glass member.

Abstract: A method of providing a glazed panel with Georgian-effect glazing bars (45). The method comprises providing a frame (37) for the panel and glazing material (30) to fit within the frame. A generally U-shaped clip (33), having two arms (35,36) which lie respectively against the side faces of the glazing material, is arranged to extend around the edge of the glazing material (30). A length of moulded hollow-section glazing bar (45), suitable for extending across a side face of the glazing material (30), is cut and is then engaged with an arm (35) of the clip so that the arm enters the open end (49) of the glazing bar (45). This holds the end region of the glazing bar (45) against the side face of the glazing material (30). Preferably a matrix of intersecting glazing bars (45) is formed, and at least some of the ends of the bars that extend to the edge of the panel are held in place by U-shaped clips.

Abstract: In a method for producing a window section (1), especially a sash section (2) or frame section (3), for timber/aluminum windows, for timber/plastic windows and for wooden windows, the window section (1) is to be profiled as an elongate timber section with glass rebate, gear channels, grooves, etc.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for assembling muntin bar lattices and spacer frames for use in insulating glass units are disclosed. One method of assembling a muntin bar lattice in accordance with the present invention comprises the steps of providing a muntin bar segment and a keeper dimensioned for piercing a wall of the muntin bar segment. A keeper in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention comprises an elongate body including a tip portion that is dimensioned for piercing a wall of the muntin bar segment to create an opening therein. A spacer for the separation of panes in an insulating glass unit in accordance with one exemplary embodiment of the present invention may include a tubular member comprising a wall defining a lumen and a mounting flange defining a plurality of mounting holes.

Abstract: An exemplary embodiment of the invention concerns a process for forming an elongated strip for use in making two tone muntin bars. An elongated strip of muntin bar material is provided that has been treated on at least a portion of one side to define an exposed surface of a completed muntin bar fabricated from the muntin bar material. An elongated strip of covering material is also provided for controlled application onto a specified portion of a surface of the muntin bar material. The elongated strip of covering material includes an adhesive for adhering the covering material to the muntin bar material. The muntin bar material and the covering material are brought into contact with each other thereby causing the covering material to overlie and adhere to the muntin bar material.

Abstract: The subject of this invention is the presentation of a three dimensional glass sculpture depicting realistic subjects such as flowers, leaves, birds, animals or abstract shapes in a decorative window. This is an alternative to stain glass or beveled glass windows which are basically a two dimensional presentation.

Abstract: A fenestration system including a glass unit, attachment member and decorative member is provided. The decorative member includes a rotatable coupler for easy attachment of the decorative member to the attachment member. An attachment system including a decorative member having a rotatable coupler is also provided. A rotatable coupler is also provided.

Abstract: A method of providing a glazed panel with Georgian-effect glazing bars (45). The method comprises providing a frame (37) for the panel and glazing material (30) to fit within the frame. A generally U-shaped clip (33), having two arms (35,36) which lie respectively against the side faces of the glazing material, is arranged to extend around the edge of the glazing material (30). A length of moulded hollow-section glazing bar (45), suitable for extending across a side face of the glazing material (30), is cut and is then engaged with an arm (35) of the clip so that the arm enters the open end (49) of the glazing bar (45). This holds the end region of the glazing bar (45) against the side face of the glazing material (30). Preferably a matrix of intersecting glazing bars (45) is formed, and at least some of the ends of the bars that extend to the edge of the panel are held in place by U-shaped clips.

Abstract: A casement window or door comprised of a glass unit and pultruded fiberglass lineals which are formed into a frame having a narrow sightline. The window is thermally and acoustically efficient.

Abstract: A hurricane-resistant storm window assembly including at least one window pane member which consists of a first lami-glass substrate which is substantially {fraction (9/32)} of an inch (2.7 mm) thick; a second lami-glass substrate which is substantially {fraction (9/32)} of an inch (2.7 mm) thick; and a vinyl layer which is substantially 0.060 of an inch laminating the first lami-glass substrate and the second lami-substrate together. A window frame surrounding an outer perimeter edge of the at least one window pane member.

Abstract: An apparatus of a muntin bar clip to secure the position of muntin bars during and following the fabrication of multi-pane sealed glass window units. A method of securing and positioning muntin bars at multi-pane sealed glass window unit perimeters and in joining hollow false muntin bars within such units. Muntin bar clips fix the position of hollow false muntin bars at the perimeter of the window unit utilizing the sealing methods including foam strips and or butyl as the sealing medium. Muntin bar clips fix the position of hollow false muntin bars at the perimeter of the window unit where the false muntin bar is other than orthogonal in relation to the perimeter of the window. The position of muntin bars are fixed by securing the muntin bar clips by forming at a muntin bar clip tip end one or a plurality of spikes wherein the penetration, of one or a plurality of spikes, into the material of the sealing and or spacing method employed secures the position of the muntin bar.

Abstract: A fenestration system including a glass unit, attachment member and decorative member is provided. The decorative member includes a rotatable coupler for easy attachment of the decorative member to the attachment member. An attachment system including a decorative member having a rotatable coupler is also provided. A rotatable coupler is also provided.

Abstract: Insta French is a vinyl insert that fits into standard doors and windows. Inserts are installed on the inside or outside of existing sliding glass doors or windows. Insta French Inserts have no outer edge or framings. The door or window edges provide the framing effect. Insta French inserts can be easily removed to clean window glass. They are easily reinstalled to give a glamorous French door look. Anyone can have a French door look without the pain rendering cleaning of small multiple panes of glass. No costly expense of replacing doors and windows. Insta French creates a whole new look in minutes.

Abstract: A fenestration system including a glass unit, attachment member and decorative member is provided. The decorative member includes a rotatable coupler for easy attachment of the decorative member to the attachment member. An attachment system including a decorative member having a rotatable coupler is also provided. A rotatable coupler is also provided.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a fastening technique for installing grille panels in frame sections that is faster and more secure and does not require tools. The grille is effectively secured against detachment from the frame, as the grille connectors are positively prevented from being pulled out of the grooves. Consequently, large pushing, pulling and detachment forces can be exerted on the grille without damaging the grille connectors.

Abstract: A multi-sheet glazing unit includes a closed spacer frame, the spacer frame has one side having a pair of legs joined to a base to provide the spacer frame with a U-shaped cross-section. An inner sheet has an edge mounted in an edge receiving member mounted between the legs of the U-shaped side of the spacer frame. The remaining edges of the inner sheet are within the interior of the closed spacer frame and spaced from the spacer frame. The inner sheet is held within the spacer frame by sheet retaining members mounted to the spacer frame. A sheet e.g. glass sheet is secured by a moisture-impervious adhesive to outer surface of each of the legs of the spacer frame. One type of sheet retaining members has a horizontal member and a vertical member, and a locking member. The locking member is mounted on the horizontal member spaced from the vertical member to form a groove to hold the inner sheet within the closed interior of the spacer frame.

Abstract: A high strength window screen frame that includes an extruded metal frame that fits within a window opening in a building. The frame is made up of a plurality of window frame units, each defining an opening and covered with mesh. A standoff leg portion of the window frame units provides a standoff separation of the mesh from a glass pane so that when objects strike the mesh and deflect the mesh, the glass pane is not impacted.

Abstract: A method for fabricating muntin grid pieces includes steps that attach an outer muntin grid element to an inner muntin grid element to form a two piece muntin grid piece. The outer muntin grid element surrounds at least three sides of the inner muntin grid element and may be held to the outer muntin grid element without connectors such as adhesive. The outer muntin grid element may be a slit tube that is spread open to be positioned over the inner muntin grid element.

Abstract: A modular window shade assembly has two embodiments. One includes a frame with a generally arcuate opening containing a blind system with horizontal slats that may be pivoted to control transmission of light through the opening. In the other embodiment, an arcuate portion contains a fixed fan shade within the arcuate opening. In each of the embodiments, the frame is sized and configured to fit within an existing window opening juxtaposed to the window for easy assembly. A decorative molding is provided to be installed within the inner walls of the existing window frame to provide an aesthetic appearance in front of the shade assembly as installed.

Abstract: A muntin bar joiner for connecting muntin bars in a grid. The muntin bar comprises a relatively flat, thin body, a first muntin bar engagement leg extending from one end of the body, a second muntin bar engagement leg extending from an opposite end of the body, and first and second abutments extending from the body. The muntin bar engagement legs extend along a longitudinal axis of the joiner and the first and second abutments extend from the body transverse to the axis. Each abutment comprises a muntin bar abutment face oriented in a direction transverse to the axis, with the abutment faces facing in opposite axial directions. The disclosed joiner has opposite body sides that define substantially parallel major surfaces and opposite edges that are substantially parallel and extend substantially parallel to the axis. Different embodiments are disclosed in which the abutments extend from body sides or body edges.

Abstract: A decorative building unit simulating a multi-pane, window or door. The decorative building unit is comprised of a glass support frame and a single glass panel having an outer surface mounted on or in the glass support frame. The glass panel has at least one simulated joint comprising at least two shallow spaced apart parallel grooves formed in the outer surface of the glass panel and a platform formed between the two spaced grooves. The size and spacing of glass support frame simulated muntins and platforms is such that, when mounted together, the simulated muntins and platforms align with each other to simulate a multi-pane beveled glass window or door.

Abstract: A one-piece window insert fastener for releasably securing a window insert to a window sash having a generally rectangular shape with a plurality of openings about its periphery, the insert having a generally rectangular-shaped frame with a single pane structure fixed therein and having a plurality of bars each having a terminal end portion and each terminal end portion having a channel therein, the fastener being elongate and having a longitudinal axis, the fastener consisting of: a head portion adapted to engage the window sash and removably insertable into one of the openings in the window sash; a tail portion adapted to fixedly engage the window insert and removably insertable into one of the channels in the window insert; and a compression portion between the head portion and tail portion, the compression portion biasing the head portion against the window sash and allowing movement of the head portion toward the tail portion when the window insert is inserted in the window sash and moving the head porti