Reinforced Window Assembly

This invention relates to a window assembly and will have specific but not limited application to the sash assembly for the window glazing panel.

The sash assembly includes sash members connected at their ends for containing and supporting the glazing panel. The sash members are each formed with a base and spaced side walls. A rigid support is held between the side walls of each sash member by engaging finger parts. The sash members are preferably of extruded construction and are formed with an open compartment which allows for greater ease and speed of production. Such open compartment construction permits the use of extrusion dies and downstream forming equipment which are simpler and less expensive than conventional equipment. Also, cooling and forming of the extruded material is speeded since all sides of the sash member may be uniformly cooled rather than only the exterior of an enclosed compartment. This also yields a sash member having a more uniform shape and less internal stress. The rigid support inserted within the sash member is used to pull the side walls of the sash member together and provide strength without the necessity of utilizing webbing between the side walls which forms an enclosed compartment.

Accordingly, it is an object of this invention to provide a novel sash assembly for a window.

Another object of this invention is to provide a glazing panel support assembly wherein the sash and frame members have an open compartment construction.

Another object of this invention is to provide a sash for a window assembly having a construction which allows for greater ease and speed of production and yet provide sufficient support for the glazing panel.

Other objects of this invention will become apparent upon reading of the following description.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a window assembly.

FIG. 2 is a fragmentary longitudinal sectional view taken along line 2--2 of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary longitudinal sectional view like FIG. 2 but showing a second embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary longitudinal sectional view like FIG. 2 but showing another embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary longitudinal sectional view like FIG. 2 but showing another embodiment of the invention.

The preferred embodiments illustrated are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise form disclosed. They are chosen and described in order to explain the principle of the invention and its application and practical use to thereby enable others skilled in the art to utilize the invention.

The window assembly 10 includes a frame 12 which retains and guides the window panel 13. Each window panel 13 includes glazing panels 40 and sash members 14. Frame 12 fits within a window opening of a building 5 and is retained therein with fastening means (not shown). Frame 12 and sash members 14 are preferably formed of an extruded material such as vinyl.

Frame 12 includes side parts, such as a header part 18, jamb parts 20 and a sill part 22. Each window panel 13 is shiftably supported for vertical movement by frame jamb parts 20. Each frame part such as sill part 22, is of an open compartment construction and of uniform cross-section, having an inner side 23, an outer side 25, and connecting ends 26. Outer side 25 is longitudinally slotted at 27 with each side section terminating in an inturned lip 28. A pair of legs 30 projects from inner side 23 toward lips 28 with each leg being slightly outset from the plane of a lip 28.

In the embodiments of FIGS. 2, 4 and 5, a generally U-shaped rigid insert 32 is fitted into the frame parts between legs 30 with its base 33 seated against inner side 23, which because of its incline in sill part 22 includes spacer ribs 34. Lips 28 of outer side 25 fit around the sides 35 of the insert at their end edges which contact side 25. In this manner insert 32 forms a brace between sides 23 and 25 of the frame part.

In FIG. 3, the insert 37 is generally H-shaped with its parallel sides 39 each being retained between frame part legs 30 and extending from one side 23 to the other side 25 of the frame part. Frame part lips 28 fit around insert side 39. Insert 37 also serves as a brace for the frame part.

In each window panel 13, double glazing panels 40 are shown fitted into surrounding sash members 14. Each sash member 14 is channel-shaped, of an open compartment construction, and has a generally uniform cross-section except for attached components such as latch 54. The glazing panels 40 are supported by spacers 45. Each sash member 14 has a base 42 and spaced side walls 44. Opposed longitudinally extruding flanges 50 extend from side walls 44 and terminate in an inturned lip 52. Glazing panels 40 extend at their marginal edges into the open end of sash member 14 between side walls 44 to flanges 50. A gosset 51 is placed between panels 40 and sash member side walls 44 as a sealant.

In FIG. 2, a U-shaped rigid insert 58 is fitted into each sash member 14 between side walls 44 with its base 59 extending to base 42 of the sash member. The sides 61 of insert 58 lie along sash member side walls 44 with lips 52 thereof fitting over the end edge of the insert sides to secure the insert to the sash member. The rigid support of insert 58 stiffens side walls 42 of the sash member and may be used to fasten components, such as latches 54, to the sash member.

In FIG. 4, insert 58 may be used to draw side walls 44 of sash members 14 toward each other and into a snug fit with glazing panels 40. Such a result may be accomplished with a screw 62 or similar attachment means which passes freely through one side wall 44 and the adjacent side 61 of the insert and which is threaded through the opposite insert side 61. By tightening screw 62, one wall 61 is drawn to the other wall 61 of the sash member.

In FIGS. 3 and 5, an I-beam shaped rigid insert 70 is utilized in a sash member 14. The flanged ends 71 of each insert member 70 are fitted into channels formed by opposed lips 72 which extend outwardly from and longitudinally along the inner face of the sash member side walls 44. Insert 70 serves to stiffen the side walls 44.

It is to be understood that the invention is not to be limited to the above description but may be modified within the appended claims.