CA2171239C - Adhesive backed window molding - Google Patents

Abstract

A plastic molding that is secured between a window frame and a window. The molding includes an elongated tubular member with a plurality of sides. An adhesive strip is secured on two sides of the molding. A
backing releasably covers each of the adhesive strips. Each backing includes a grippable section for facilitating the removal of the backing from the adhesive strip.

Description

ADHESIVE BACKED WINDOW MOLDING
Background of the Invention The present invention relates to molding that is secured between a window and window frame and, more particularly, to such a molding that has adhesive secured to two sides thereof.
Plastic moldings are commonly secured between a window frame and a window. The molding fills any existing space between the frame and the window. Additionally, the molding may serve as insulation.
A problem with most existing moldings is that they are relatively difficult to install. For example, some known moldings are tacked to the window and frame. This requires a plurality of individual tacks to be hammered along height of the molding. Other moldings are glued between the frame and the window. Gluing the molding requires that careful and meticulous attention be paid in order to avoid getting glue on the exposed portion of the molding as well as on the wall and the frame.
Some moldings are equipped with tape or other adhesive means to secure the molding to the desired area.
See, for example, U. S . Patent Nos . 3, 408, 250 and 4, 614, 347 .
However, these moldings are not designed to be secured to and between a window frame and a window. Furthermore, these moldings do not include a means for easily gripping the paper backing that covers the adhesive so that the backing can be readily removed while the molding is positioned in the desired location.
Moreover, many existing moldings cannot accommodate insulating material. This is due to the fact that they are solid and, therefore, cannot be filled with insulating foam or other similar materials.
Summary of the Invention The present invention is designed to overcome or at least mitigate the deficiencies of the prior art discussed above. This invention provides a molding that can be firmly secured between a window and a window frame. The invention also provides such a molding that can house insulating material therein and is relatively flexible.
In accordance with the illustrative embodiments, demonstrating features and advantages of the present invention, there is provided a hollow molding made of flexible material. Insulation material can be inserted in the molding to provide an energy efficient seal between the frame and window. Adhesive strips are secured along two sides of the molding in order to firmly secure the molding between the frame and the window. Each of the adhesive strips is covered with a release backing which includes a grippable section that facilitates the removal of the backing from the strip.
Other features and advantages will be readily apparent from the following detailed description of a preferred embodiment thereof taken in conjunction with the drawings.
Brief Description of the Drawings For the purpose of illustrating the invention, there is shown in the accompanying drawings one form which is presently preferred; it being understood that the invention is not intended to be limited to the precise arrangements and instrumentalities shown.
Figure 1 is a partial perspective view of the present invention;
Figure 2 is a perspective view of the present invention showing the release paper partially removed, and Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along the lines 3-3 of Figure 1.
Detailed Description of the Preferred Embodiment Referring now to the drawings in detail wherein like reference numerals have been used throughout the various figures to designate like elements, there is shown in the figures an adhesive backed window molding constructed in accordance with the principles of the present invention and designated generally as 10.

The window molding 10 includes an elongated tubular member 12. The tubular member is preferably comprised of extruded vinyl. However, it can be made in a number of other ways such as by molding and can be made of other materials. The tubular member 12 is preferably substantially rectangular in shape and is preferably 3/4"
long and 1/2" wide. The height of the molding will depend on the height of the window frame and window. It should be noted that the tubular member 12 can also be in the form of an elongated channel, i.e. with a portion of one side or edge open. Extensions 13 and 15 extend from the periphery of the tubular member 12 and along the height thereof. The hollow tubular member 12 can be filled with an insulating material in order to create an energy efficient seal as more fully described below.
Pressure sensitive adhesive strips 14 and 16 are secured to two sides of the tubular member 12 as illustrated in Figure 2. More specifically, the strips 14 and 16 each have front, rear and opposing side walls. The front and rear walls of the strips are covered with adhesive. When securing the strips 14 and 16 to the tubular member 12, a side wall on each of the strips is placed against a corresponding extension 13 and 15, respectively, so that the adhesive covered rear wall is properly aligned with the side of the tubular member. Accordingly, the extensions 13 and 15 act as a guide for the accurate securement of the adhesive strips 14 and 16 to the tubular member 12. Each of the strips preferably runs the entire height of the tubular member 12 and is 1/16" thick.
In the preferred embodiment, each of the adhesive strips 14 and 16 is covered with a protective release backing 18 and 20. Each of the backings preferably has a section 22 and 24, respectively, that extends up passed the top of a corresponding one of the adhesive strips 14 and 16. These upper sections provide a means for readily gripping the backings and pulling them downward as the molding is being installed. The backings are preferably made of polyethylene. However, they can be made of other material such as paper.
To facilitate an understanding of the principles associated with the foregoing apparatus, its operation will now be briefly described. The molding 10 is positioned in the corner adjacent window frame 26 and window 28.
Thereafter, the upper section 22 of the backing 18 is pulled downward to expose part of the adhesive strip 16.
The top of the adhesive strip is then placed into contact with the window frame. As the backing 18 is further removed, more of the adhesive strip is placed into firm engagement with the window frame 26 until the entire strip is secured thereto. It should be noted that a longitudinal cut can be effectuated along the entire height of the member 12. This cut gives the molding added flexure which facilitates the removal of the backings 18 and 20 from their corresponding adhesive strips 14 and 16.

After the molding 10 is secured to the frame 26, the upper portion 24 of the backing 20 is then pulled downwardly so as to expose the adhesive strip 14. The top of the strip is then pressed into contact with the face of the window 28. As the backing 20 is further removed, more of the adhesive strip is placed into firm engagement with the window 28 until the entire strip is secured thereto.
Before securing the molding in place, the hollow tubular member 12 can be filled with an insulating material in order to provide an energy efficient seal between the window frame 26 and the window 28. This can be achieved by filling the molding with an insulating foam well known in the art.
The present invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from the spirit or essential attributes thereof and accordingly reference should be made to the appended claims rather than to the foregoing specification as indicating the scope of the invention.

Claims (6)

1. A molding for securement between a window frame and a window comprising:
an elongated tubular member of extruded vinyl having at least two sides which are at substantially right angles to each other;
a pair of extensions extending from the periphery of said tubular member adjacent said two sides to act as guide means;
a pair of adhesive strips, each strip being secured along the height of a different one of said sides adjacent to and in alignment with its respective guide means for adhering said tubular member to said window frame and said window, and means for releasably covering said adhering means.

2. The molding of claim 1 wherein said covering means includes a pair of release backings, each backing being positioned over a corresponding one of said adhesive strips.

3. The molding of claim 2 wherein each of said release backings includes a grippable section for facilitating the removal of said backing from said adhesive strip.

4. A molding for securement between a window frame and a window comprising:

an elongated channel member of extruded vinyl having at least two sides which are at substantially right angles to each other;
a pair of extensions extending from the periphery of said channel member adjacent said two sides to act as guide means;
a pair of adhesive strips, each strip being secured along the height of a different one of said sides adjacent to and in alignment with its respective guide means for adhering said channel member to said window frame and said window, and means for releasably covering said adhering means.

5. The molding of claim 4 wherein said covering means includes a pair of release backings, each backing being positioned over a corresponding one of said adhesive strips.

6. The molding of claim 5 wherein each of said release backings includes a grippable section for facilitating the removal of said backing from said adhesive strip.