CA2266254A1 - Corner fastening element - Google Patents
Corner fastening element Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- CA2266254A1 CA2266254A1 CA 2266254 CA2266254A CA2266254A1 CA 2266254 A1 CA2266254 A1 CA 2266254A1 CA 2266254 CA2266254 CA 2266254 CA 2266254 A CA2266254 A CA 2266254A CA 2266254 A1 CA2266254 A1 CA 2266254A1
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- Canada
- Prior art keywords
- wall
- corner
- corner element
- leg
- legs
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Abandoned
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Classifications
-
- E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
- E06—DOORS, WINDOWS, SHUTTERS, OR ROLLER BLINDS IN GENERAL; LADDERS
- E06B—FIXED OR MOVABLE CLOSURES FOR OPENINGS IN BUILDINGS, VEHICLES, FENCES OR LIKE ENCLOSURES IN GENERAL, e.g. DOORS, WINDOWS, BLINDS, GATES
- E06B3/00—Window sashes, door leaves, or like elements for closing wall or like openings; Layout of fixed or moving closures, e.g. windows in wall or like openings; Features of rigidly-mounted outer frames relating to the mounting of wing frames
- E06B3/96—Corner joints or edge joints for windows, doors, or the like frames or wings
- E06B3/964—Corner joints or edge joints for windows, doors, or the like frames or wings using separate connection pieces, e.g. T-connection pieces
- E06B3/968—Corner joints or edge joints for windows, doors, or the like frames or wings using separate connection pieces, e.g. T-connection pieces characterised by the way the connecting pieces are fixed in or on the frame members
- E06B3/9687—Corner joints or edge joints for windows, doors, or the like frames or wings using separate connection pieces, e.g. T-connection pieces characterised by the way the connecting pieces are fixed in or on the frame members with screws blocking the connecting piece inside or on the frame member
- E06B3/9688—Mitre joints
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- E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
- E06—DOORS, WINDOWS, SHUTTERS, OR ROLLER BLINDS IN GENERAL; LADDERS
- E06B—FIXED OR MOVABLE CLOSURES FOR OPENINGS IN BUILDINGS, VEHICLES, FENCES OR LIKE ENCLOSURES IN GENERAL, e.g. DOORS, WINDOWS, BLINDS, GATES
- E06B3/00—Window sashes, door leaves, or like elements for closing wall or like openings; Layout of fixed or moving closures, e.g. windows in wall or like openings; Features of rigidly-mounted outer frames relating to the mounting of wing frames
- E06B3/96—Corner joints or edge joints for windows, doors, or the like frames or wings
- E06B3/964—Corner joints or edge joints for windows, doors, or the like frames or wings using separate connection pieces, e.g. T-connection pieces
- E06B3/9645—Mitre joints
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- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Civil Engineering (AREA)
- Structural Engineering (AREA)
- Joining Of Corner Units Of Frames Or Wings (AREA)
Abstract
A corner fastening element is disclosed for fastening a miter joint defined by abutting angular ends of two angularly disposed hollow rails of a frame structure. The corner fastening element comprises two legs joined at right angles to one another, each leg comprising an inner wall and an opposing outer wall which are spaced apart by a distance sufficient to allow the legs to be easily inserted into the rails. The inner walls have a portion proximal to the inner corner of the miter joint which is rigidly secured against movement, preferably by one or more webs which connect the proximal portions of the inner walls to the outer walls, and a distal portion which is adapted to be displaced relative to the outer wall, thereby expanding the leg and causing it to be tightly received inside the rail. Preferably, the force necessary to displace the distal portion of the inner wall is supplied by a screw threaded through a wall of the rail and the outer wall of the corner fastening element, the force being transmitted to the inner wall by a force transmitting web extending perpendicularly from the inner wall and terminating in a lip which is adapted to be engaged by the tip of the screw.
Description
CORNER FASTENING ELEMENT
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an element for interconnecting mitered corners of door and window sashes and the like.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Hollow door and window sashes formed of a metal material such as aluminum are comprised of parallel top and bottom rails and parallel side rails, joined together at the corners by miter joints. It is common practice to join the mitered corners of the various rails with angle gussets. However, forces created by the stresses and strains imposed on the door from its own weight as well as by hard usage often bend or twist the angle gussets, resulting in the opening of one or more of the corner miter joints.
One device which has attempted to overcome the disadvantages of corner gussets is disclosed in U.S. Patent No. 3,967,910 (Tollefsrud). This patent discloses a corner fastening element having an overall L-shape with legs for interconnecting the mitered ends of frame sections. The legs are expanded by a single set screw positioned along the line of the miter joint, such that turning of the set screw causes an increase in the distance between inner and outer walls of the legs. However, the disadvantage exists that expanding the legs at the miter joint can cause an increase in the corner angle, resulting in opening of the joint and an unsightly gap between the adjoining frame sections.
SUNINIARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention overcomes the above-discussed disadvantages of the prior art by providing a corner fastening element having expandable legs to interconnect the mitered ends of the frame sections of a door or a window sash or the like. The legs of the fastening element are expandable at a location distal from the corners of the miter joint, and are preferably expandable by fastening elements which also serve to secure the frame element to the fastening element.
Accordingly, in one aspect, the present invention provides a corner element for fastening a miter joint defined by abutting angular ends of two angularly disposed hollow rails of a frame structure, said miter joint having an inside corner and an outside corner, said corner element comprising: two legs connected at right angles to one another, each leg comprising an inner wall and an opposing outer wall spaced from one another by a distance sufficient to allow said legs to be easily inserted into the angular ends of the rails; the inner walls of the leg each having a proximal portion and a distal portion relative to the inside corner of the miter joint, the proximal portion being rigidly secured against movement relative to the outer wall of the leg, and the distal portion being displaceable away from the outer wall of the leg by a distance sufficient to allow the distal portion of the inner wall and an opposing portion of the outer wall to be tightly received inside one of the rails.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an element for interconnecting mitered corners of door and window sashes and the like.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Hollow door and window sashes formed of a metal material such as aluminum are comprised of parallel top and bottom rails and parallel side rails, joined together at the corners by miter joints. It is common practice to join the mitered corners of the various rails with angle gussets. However, forces created by the stresses and strains imposed on the door from its own weight as well as by hard usage often bend or twist the angle gussets, resulting in the opening of one or more of the corner miter joints.
One device which has attempted to overcome the disadvantages of corner gussets is disclosed in U.S. Patent No. 3,967,910 (Tollefsrud). This patent discloses a corner fastening element having an overall L-shape with legs for interconnecting the mitered ends of frame sections. The legs are expanded by a single set screw positioned along the line of the miter joint, such that turning of the set screw causes an increase in the distance between inner and outer walls of the legs. However, the disadvantage exists that expanding the legs at the miter joint can cause an increase in the corner angle, resulting in opening of the joint and an unsightly gap between the adjoining frame sections.
SUNINIARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention overcomes the above-discussed disadvantages of the prior art by providing a corner fastening element having expandable legs to interconnect the mitered ends of the frame sections of a door or a window sash or the like. The legs of the fastening element are expandable at a location distal from the corners of the miter joint, and are preferably expandable by fastening elements which also serve to secure the frame element to the fastening element.
Accordingly, in one aspect, the present invention provides a corner element for fastening a miter joint defined by abutting angular ends of two angularly disposed hollow rails of a frame structure, said miter joint having an inside corner and an outside corner, said corner element comprising: two legs connected at right angles to one another, each leg comprising an inner wall and an opposing outer wall spaced from one another by a distance sufficient to allow said legs to be easily inserted into the angular ends of the rails; the inner walls of the leg each having a proximal portion and a distal portion relative to the inside corner of the miter joint, the proximal portion being rigidly secured against movement relative to the outer wall of the leg, and the distal portion being displaceable away from the outer wall of the leg by a distance sufficient to allow the distal portion of the inner wall and an opposing portion of the outer wall to be tightly received inside one of the rails.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the following drawings, in which:
Figure 1 is a perspective view of a window or door sash according to the present invention having mitered corner construction;
Figure 2 is a cross-sectional view through line 2 - 2' of Figure 1;
Figure 3 is an exploded perspective view of a corner construction prior to its formation according to the present invention;
Figure 4 is a front elevation view showing a corner construction according to the present invention prior to expansion of the legs of the corner fastening element; and Figure 5 is front elevation view showing the corner construction of Figure 4 after expansion of the legs of the corner fastening element.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
The frame 10 shown in Figure 1 is typical of those used, for example, as the sash elements of storm doors, sliding door and window frames, and comprises top rail 12, bottom rail 14 and side rails 16 and 18 which are preferably formed from lengths of aluminum extrusions joined to one another at 90 degrees by miter joints at corners 20, 22, 24 and 26. In one particularly preferred embodiment of the invention, frame 10 comprises the frame of an aluminum storm door.
Figure 2 illustrates the cross section of one of the side rails 16.
Preferably, all four rails 12, 14, 16 and 18 have identical cross sections. Side rail 16 has a front face 28 and an opposing rear face 30 which are joined by inner and outer cross pieces 32 and 34, respectively.
The inner cross piece 32 comprises three channels 36, 38 and 40 from rear to front. The rearmost channel 36 is comprised of side walls 42 and 44 and bottom wall 46.
Middle channel 38 is formed by side walls 44 and 48 and bottom wall 50. Frontmost channel 40 is formed by side walls 48 and 52 and bottom wall 50. One end of the front side wall 52 of the frontmost channel 40 extends past bottom wall 50 to form a flange 54, while the opposite end is connected through a perpendicular extension 56 and a parallel extension 58 to a rearwardly curved surface 60 ofthe front face 28 of side rail 16.
The outer cross piece 34 connecting the front and rear faces 28 and 30 comprises a fastener receiving channel 62 having a bottom wall 64 and side walls 66 and 68. The front side wall 68 is connected via a perpendicular extension 70 to front face 28. The various channels formed by cross pieces 32 and 34 are intended to retain glass, screens, weather stripping and the like which conventionally form part of a storm door.
The invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the following drawings, in which:
Figure 1 is a perspective view of a window or door sash according to the present invention having mitered corner construction;
Figure 2 is a cross-sectional view through line 2 - 2' of Figure 1;
Figure 3 is an exploded perspective view of a corner construction prior to its formation according to the present invention;
Figure 4 is a front elevation view showing a corner construction according to the present invention prior to expansion of the legs of the corner fastening element; and Figure 5 is front elevation view showing the corner construction of Figure 4 after expansion of the legs of the corner fastening element.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
The frame 10 shown in Figure 1 is typical of those used, for example, as the sash elements of storm doors, sliding door and window frames, and comprises top rail 12, bottom rail 14 and side rails 16 and 18 which are preferably formed from lengths of aluminum extrusions joined to one another at 90 degrees by miter joints at corners 20, 22, 24 and 26. In one particularly preferred embodiment of the invention, frame 10 comprises the frame of an aluminum storm door.
Figure 2 illustrates the cross section of one of the side rails 16.
Preferably, all four rails 12, 14, 16 and 18 have identical cross sections. Side rail 16 has a front face 28 and an opposing rear face 30 which are joined by inner and outer cross pieces 32 and 34, respectively.
The inner cross piece 32 comprises three channels 36, 38 and 40 from rear to front. The rearmost channel 36 is comprised of side walls 42 and 44 and bottom wall 46.
Middle channel 38 is formed by side walls 44 and 48 and bottom wall 50. Frontmost channel 40 is formed by side walls 48 and 52 and bottom wall 50. One end of the front side wall 52 of the frontmost channel 40 extends past bottom wall 50 to form a flange 54, while the opposite end is connected through a perpendicular extension 56 and a parallel extension 58 to a rearwardly curved surface 60 ofthe front face 28 of side rail 16.
The outer cross piece 34 connecting the front and rear faces 28 and 30 comprises a fastener receiving channel 62 having a bottom wall 64 and side walls 66 and 68. The front side wall 68 is connected via a perpendicular extension 70 to front face 28. The various channels formed by cross pieces 32 and 34 are intended to retain glass, screens, weather stripping and the like which conventionally form part of a storm door.
The front and rear faces 28 and 30 and the inner and outer cross pieces 32 and 34 together define a rectangular channel 72 in the interior of side rail 16. Rectangular channel 72 is illustrated by a dotted line in Figure 2, and is defined as the rectangular area enclosed by outer face 28, inner face 30, the bottom wall 46 of channel 36 and the flange 54 of inner cross piece 32, and ridges 74 on the bottom wall 64 of fastener receiving channel 62. In a typical storm door frame, the rectangular channel inside the extruded rails has a width of about 1.5 inches and a length of about 2 inches. As mentioned above, rails 12, 14, 16 and 18 are preferably all formed from the same aluminum extrusion and therefore all have the cross sectional shape shown in Figure 2.
Therefore, the reference numerals used in the preceding discussion to indicate the various elements of side rail 16 are also used below to denote the elements of the other rails 12, 14 and 18.
In forming a mitered corner joint in frame 10, the ends of a pair of rails are cut at a 45 degree angle as shown in Figure 3, and the angled edges are brought together so that the rails are perpendicular to one another and virtually no gap is visible along the joint between the two rails.
Figure 3 illustrates a preferred corner fastening element 76 according to the present invention at corner 24 formed by top rail 12 and side rail 18, showing corner 24 from the side opposite that shown in Figure 1. Fastening element 76 comprises two legs 78 and 80 connected at right angles to one another, with one leg 78 being received in the end of side rail 18, and the other leg 80 being received in the end of top rail 12. The description which follows focuses on the features of leg 80. However it is to be appreciated that legs 78 and 80 are identical to one another.
Leg 80 of fastening element 76 comprises an inner wall 82 and an opposing generally parallel outer wall 84. Inner wall 82 is generally flat, having an exterior surface 86 which faces the inner cross piece 32 of top rail 12 in the assembled joint, and an interior surface 88 which faces the outer wall 84. Similarly, outer wall 84 has an exterior surface 90 facing the outer cross piece 34 of rail 12 in the assembled joint, and an interior surface 92 which faces inner wall 82.
The outer wall 84 of leg 80 comprises a straight portion 94 which is generally parallel to inner wall 82, and an angled portion 96 which is bent inwardly toward inner wall 82 by an angle of about 26 degrees. The thickness of leg 80, measured from the exterior surface 86 of inner wall 82 to the exterior surface 90 of outer wall 84 is preferably such that leg 80 can be easily inserted into the channel 72 formed in the extrusion 26, and be loosely retained therein.
More preferably, the thickness of leg 80 is about 1.8 inches, assuming the rectangular channel has a length of about 2 inches.
The height of each corner fastening element 76 is preferably constant across the entire fastening element 68. In the preferred embodiment in which the rectangular channel 72 has a width of about 1.5 inches, the fastening element 76 preferably has a height of about 1.4 inches to allow the leg 80 to be closely, yet loosely, received between the front and rear faces 28 and 30 of the rail 12.
_7_ As best shown in Figures 4 and 5, mitered joint 24 comprises an outer corner 98 and an inner corner 100. The inner wall 82 of leg 80 has a proximal portion 102 and a distal portion 104 relative to the inner corner 100 of joint 24. The proximal portion 102 is rigidly secured against movement relative to the outer wall 84 of leg 80, while the distal portion 104 is displaceable away from outer wall 84 as discussed below in greater detail.
In the preferred embodiment of the invention shown in the drawings, the proximal portion 102 of inner wall 82 of leg 80 is joined at an angle of about 90 degrees to a corresponding proximal portion of the inner wall of leg 78, thereby forming an apex 106 which receives the inner corner 100 of the miter joint 24.
The proximal portion 102 of inner wall 82 is rigidly secured against movement by at least one web connecting it to the outer wall 84 of leg 80. As shown in Figures 3 to 5, a first web 108 is provided extending from the apex 106 to a point 110 at which the angled portion 96 of outer wall 84 meets the corresponding angled portion of the outer wall of leg 78.
Preferably, the first web 108 extends through the point 110 at which the outer walls meet, so as to form a substantially unbroken web from the inner corner 100 to the outer corner 98 of the miter joint 24, preferably underlying the edges forming the joint and providing support therefor. In the preferred embodiment shown in the drawings, the first web 108 forms an angle of about 71 degrees with the angled portion 96 of outer wall 84, and forms an angle of about 45 degrees with the straight portion 94 of outer wall 84.
_$_ In the preferred corner fastening element 76 shown in the drawings, additional support is provided to the proximal portion 102 of inner wall 82 by a second web 112 which is perpendicular to first web 108 and extends from the apex 106 to a point 114 on the outer wall 84 which is distal from outer corner 98 of joint 24. The second web 112 preferably forms an angle of about 45 degrees with both the inner and outer walls 82 and 84.
Having now described the structure of the legs 78 and 80 of corner fastening element 76, the following description, in conjunction with Figures 4 and S, describes how legs 78 and 80 are expanded to thereby rigidly secure together the mitered edges of joint 24. For clarity, all unnecessary details of rails 12 and 16 have been omitted from Figures 4 and 5.
Figure 4 illustrates the preferred corner fastening element 76 loosely installed inside the ends of rails 12 and 16 prior to expansion of the legs 78 and 80. The distal portion 104 of inner wall 82 is provided with an upturned end 116 in order to assist insertion of the leg 80 into the rail 12. Connected to the distal portion 104 inwardly of the upturned end 116 is a force transmitting web 118 directed approximately perpendicularly to the inner and outer walls 82 and 84, extending from the distal portion 104 of inner wall 82 and terminating at a point 120 spaced from the outer wall 84. Extending distally from point 120, approximately perpendicular to web 118, is a lip 122 preferably having a concave upper surface 124 facing the interior surface 92 of outer wall 84.
As shown in Figure 4, the straight portion 94 of outer wall 84 is provided with means for locating and receiving fasteners which rigidly secure the rails 12 and 16 to the corner fastening element 76 at predetermined locations. Preferably, the outer wall 84 of leg 80 is provided with a proximal fastener receiving channel 126 and a distal fastener receiving channel 128, which are most clearly shown in Figure 3. The centers of channels 126 and 128 are preferably spaced from one another by about 2 inches, the distal channel 128 being positioned directly opposite the upper surface 124 of lip 122. As shown in Figure 3, the channels 126 and 128 preferably have bottom walls 130 and 132 of reduced thickness, the bottom walls 130 and 132 preferably being V-shaped in order to direct the tip of a screw inwardly through the bottom of the channel.
Leg 80 of the corner fastening element 76 is preferably secured to rail 12 by two screws.
As shown in Figures 4 and S, a first screw 134 is threaded through a first pre-drilled hole 136 in the fastener receiving channel 62 formed in the outer cross piece 34 of rail 12, and through the bottom wall 130 (Figure 3) of the proximal fastener receiving channel 126 of outer wall 84.
Similarly, a second screw 138 is threaded through a second pre-drilled hole 140 in the fastener receiving channel 62, and through the bottom wall 132 (Figure 3) of the distal fastener receiving channel 128 of the outer wall 84.
Figure 4 shows first screw 134 completely threaded through rail 12 and outer wall 84 of leg 80. The second screw 138, shown in Figure 4 partially threaded through rail 12 and outer wall 84, is preferably longer than the first screw 134. As second screw 138 is further driven through rail 12 and outer wall 84, it eventually comes into contact with the upper surface 124 of lip 122. The force exerted on the upper surface 124 of lip 122 by screw 138 is transmitted by web 118 to inner wall 82, and is of sufficient magnitude to cause displacement of the distal portion 104 of inner wall 82 relative to the outer wall 84, thereby causing expansion of leg 80.
Driving of screw 138, with expansion of leg 80, is continued until the distal portion 104 of inner wall 82 has been forced against the inner cross piece 32 of rail 12, thereby completely expanding leg 80 so it is tightly received inside the rectangular channel 72 formed inside rail 12. It will be seen from Figure 5 that, although the distal portion 104 of inner wall 82 is displaced relative to outer wall 84, there is no displacement of the proximal portion 102 of inner wall 82. In effect, this causes a slight reduction in the angle at apex 106, causing the edges of miter joint 24 adjacent the inner corner 100 to be tightly drawn together.
As shown in Figure 3, the lip 122 has a distal end 142 which is connected through a curved web 144 to the distal end of the outer wall 84. The provision of curved web 144 prevents premature movement of the inner wall 82 prior to installation, which may be caused during cutting the fastening element 76 from an elongate extrusion or by rough handling; and also prevents screw 138 from bending lip 122 at point 120 during expansion of leg 80.
Preferably, web 144 is in the form of a loop which extends downwardly from the distal end 142 of lip 122 and then upwardly to form a smooth transition with the distal end of the outer wall 84.
As shown in Figures 3 to 5, a portion 146 of web 144 adjacent to lip 122 is of reduced thickness relative to the remainder of web 144. As screw 13 8 is driven against lip 122, this portion of reduced thickness 146 is deformed, thereby permitting displacement of the inner wall 82. In the preferred embodiment shown in the drawings, this portion 146 of web 144 has a thickness of about 0.05 inches, whereas the remainder of web 144 has a thickness of about 0.095 inches.
It will also be appreciated that the provision of web 144 ensures that miter joint 24 will remain tight even if screw 138 becomes loosened during use of frame 10, since the deformed web 144 will continue to bias inner wall 82 against rail 12.
In the preferred embodiments of the invention, the corner fastening element 76 is preferably of a uniform height throughout, with the thickness of the wall and web members of the element 76 being about 0.90 to about 0.095 inches, with the exception of the bottom walls of fastener receiving channels 126 and 128 and the reduced thickness portion 146 of web 144, which preferably have a thickness of about 0.050 inches.
Although the invention has been described in connection with certain preferred embodiments, it is to be understood that it is not restricted thereto. Rather, the invention is intended to include all embodiments as may fall with the scope of the following claims.
Therefore, the reference numerals used in the preceding discussion to indicate the various elements of side rail 16 are also used below to denote the elements of the other rails 12, 14 and 18.
In forming a mitered corner joint in frame 10, the ends of a pair of rails are cut at a 45 degree angle as shown in Figure 3, and the angled edges are brought together so that the rails are perpendicular to one another and virtually no gap is visible along the joint between the two rails.
Figure 3 illustrates a preferred corner fastening element 76 according to the present invention at corner 24 formed by top rail 12 and side rail 18, showing corner 24 from the side opposite that shown in Figure 1. Fastening element 76 comprises two legs 78 and 80 connected at right angles to one another, with one leg 78 being received in the end of side rail 18, and the other leg 80 being received in the end of top rail 12. The description which follows focuses on the features of leg 80. However it is to be appreciated that legs 78 and 80 are identical to one another.
Leg 80 of fastening element 76 comprises an inner wall 82 and an opposing generally parallel outer wall 84. Inner wall 82 is generally flat, having an exterior surface 86 which faces the inner cross piece 32 of top rail 12 in the assembled joint, and an interior surface 88 which faces the outer wall 84. Similarly, outer wall 84 has an exterior surface 90 facing the outer cross piece 34 of rail 12 in the assembled joint, and an interior surface 92 which faces inner wall 82.
The outer wall 84 of leg 80 comprises a straight portion 94 which is generally parallel to inner wall 82, and an angled portion 96 which is bent inwardly toward inner wall 82 by an angle of about 26 degrees. The thickness of leg 80, measured from the exterior surface 86 of inner wall 82 to the exterior surface 90 of outer wall 84 is preferably such that leg 80 can be easily inserted into the channel 72 formed in the extrusion 26, and be loosely retained therein.
More preferably, the thickness of leg 80 is about 1.8 inches, assuming the rectangular channel has a length of about 2 inches.
The height of each corner fastening element 76 is preferably constant across the entire fastening element 68. In the preferred embodiment in which the rectangular channel 72 has a width of about 1.5 inches, the fastening element 76 preferably has a height of about 1.4 inches to allow the leg 80 to be closely, yet loosely, received between the front and rear faces 28 and 30 of the rail 12.
_7_ As best shown in Figures 4 and 5, mitered joint 24 comprises an outer corner 98 and an inner corner 100. The inner wall 82 of leg 80 has a proximal portion 102 and a distal portion 104 relative to the inner corner 100 of joint 24. The proximal portion 102 is rigidly secured against movement relative to the outer wall 84 of leg 80, while the distal portion 104 is displaceable away from outer wall 84 as discussed below in greater detail.
In the preferred embodiment of the invention shown in the drawings, the proximal portion 102 of inner wall 82 of leg 80 is joined at an angle of about 90 degrees to a corresponding proximal portion of the inner wall of leg 78, thereby forming an apex 106 which receives the inner corner 100 of the miter joint 24.
The proximal portion 102 of inner wall 82 is rigidly secured against movement by at least one web connecting it to the outer wall 84 of leg 80. As shown in Figures 3 to 5, a first web 108 is provided extending from the apex 106 to a point 110 at which the angled portion 96 of outer wall 84 meets the corresponding angled portion of the outer wall of leg 78.
Preferably, the first web 108 extends through the point 110 at which the outer walls meet, so as to form a substantially unbroken web from the inner corner 100 to the outer corner 98 of the miter joint 24, preferably underlying the edges forming the joint and providing support therefor. In the preferred embodiment shown in the drawings, the first web 108 forms an angle of about 71 degrees with the angled portion 96 of outer wall 84, and forms an angle of about 45 degrees with the straight portion 94 of outer wall 84.
_$_ In the preferred corner fastening element 76 shown in the drawings, additional support is provided to the proximal portion 102 of inner wall 82 by a second web 112 which is perpendicular to first web 108 and extends from the apex 106 to a point 114 on the outer wall 84 which is distal from outer corner 98 of joint 24. The second web 112 preferably forms an angle of about 45 degrees with both the inner and outer walls 82 and 84.
Having now described the structure of the legs 78 and 80 of corner fastening element 76, the following description, in conjunction with Figures 4 and S, describes how legs 78 and 80 are expanded to thereby rigidly secure together the mitered edges of joint 24. For clarity, all unnecessary details of rails 12 and 16 have been omitted from Figures 4 and 5.
Figure 4 illustrates the preferred corner fastening element 76 loosely installed inside the ends of rails 12 and 16 prior to expansion of the legs 78 and 80. The distal portion 104 of inner wall 82 is provided with an upturned end 116 in order to assist insertion of the leg 80 into the rail 12. Connected to the distal portion 104 inwardly of the upturned end 116 is a force transmitting web 118 directed approximately perpendicularly to the inner and outer walls 82 and 84, extending from the distal portion 104 of inner wall 82 and terminating at a point 120 spaced from the outer wall 84. Extending distally from point 120, approximately perpendicular to web 118, is a lip 122 preferably having a concave upper surface 124 facing the interior surface 92 of outer wall 84.
As shown in Figure 4, the straight portion 94 of outer wall 84 is provided with means for locating and receiving fasteners which rigidly secure the rails 12 and 16 to the corner fastening element 76 at predetermined locations. Preferably, the outer wall 84 of leg 80 is provided with a proximal fastener receiving channel 126 and a distal fastener receiving channel 128, which are most clearly shown in Figure 3. The centers of channels 126 and 128 are preferably spaced from one another by about 2 inches, the distal channel 128 being positioned directly opposite the upper surface 124 of lip 122. As shown in Figure 3, the channels 126 and 128 preferably have bottom walls 130 and 132 of reduced thickness, the bottom walls 130 and 132 preferably being V-shaped in order to direct the tip of a screw inwardly through the bottom of the channel.
Leg 80 of the corner fastening element 76 is preferably secured to rail 12 by two screws.
As shown in Figures 4 and S, a first screw 134 is threaded through a first pre-drilled hole 136 in the fastener receiving channel 62 formed in the outer cross piece 34 of rail 12, and through the bottom wall 130 (Figure 3) of the proximal fastener receiving channel 126 of outer wall 84.
Similarly, a second screw 138 is threaded through a second pre-drilled hole 140 in the fastener receiving channel 62, and through the bottom wall 132 (Figure 3) of the distal fastener receiving channel 128 of the outer wall 84.
Figure 4 shows first screw 134 completely threaded through rail 12 and outer wall 84 of leg 80. The second screw 138, shown in Figure 4 partially threaded through rail 12 and outer wall 84, is preferably longer than the first screw 134. As second screw 138 is further driven through rail 12 and outer wall 84, it eventually comes into contact with the upper surface 124 of lip 122. The force exerted on the upper surface 124 of lip 122 by screw 138 is transmitted by web 118 to inner wall 82, and is of sufficient magnitude to cause displacement of the distal portion 104 of inner wall 82 relative to the outer wall 84, thereby causing expansion of leg 80.
Driving of screw 138, with expansion of leg 80, is continued until the distal portion 104 of inner wall 82 has been forced against the inner cross piece 32 of rail 12, thereby completely expanding leg 80 so it is tightly received inside the rectangular channel 72 formed inside rail 12. It will be seen from Figure 5 that, although the distal portion 104 of inner wall 82 is displaced relative to outer wall 84, there is no displacement of the proximal portion 102 of inner wall 82. In effect, this causes a slight reduction in the angle at apex 106, causing the edges of miter joint 24 adjacent the inner corner 100 to be tightly drawn together.
As shown in Figure 3, the lip 122 has a distal end 142 which is connected through a curved web 144 to the distal end of the outer wall 84. The provision of curved web 144 prevents premature movement of the inner wall 82 prior to installation, which may be caused during cutting the fastening element 76 from an elongate extrusion or by rough handling; and also prevents screw 138 from bending lip 122 at point 120 during expansion of leg 80.
Preferably, web 144 is in the form of a loop which extends downwardly from the distal end 142 of lip 122 and then upwardly to form a smooth transition with the distal end of the outer wall 84.
As shown in Figures 3 to 5, a portion 146 of web 144 adjacent to lip 122 is of reduced thickness relative to the remainder of web 144. As screw 13 8 is driven against lip 122, this portion of reduced thickness 146 is deformed, thereby permitting displacement of the inner wall 82. In the preferred embodiment shown in the drawings, this portion 146 of web 144 has a thickness of about 0.05 inches, whereas the remainder of web 144 has a thickness of about 0.095 inches.
It will also be appreciated that the provision of web 144 ensures that miter joint 24 will remain tight even if screw 138 becomes loosened during use of frame 10, since the deformed web 144 will continue to bias inner wall 82 against rail 12.
In the preferred embodiments of the invention, the corner fastening element 76 is preferably of a uniform height throughout, with the thickness of the wall and web members of the element 76 being about 0.90 to about 0.095 inches, with the exception of the bottom walls of fastener receiving channels 126 and 128 and the reduced thickness portion 146 of web 144, which preferably have a thickness of about 0.050 inches.
Although the invention has been described in connection with certain preferred embodiments, it is to be understood that it is not restricted thereto. Rather, the invention is intended to include all embodiments as may fall with the scope of the following claims.
Claims (13)
1. A corner element for fastening a miter joint defined by abutting angular ends of two angularly disposed hollow rails of a frame structure, said miter joint having an inside corner and an outside corner, said corner element comprising:
two legs connected at right angles to one another, each leg comprising an inner wall and an opposing outer wall spaced from one another by a distance sufficient to allow said legs to be easily inserted into the angular ends of the rails;
the inner walls of the legs each having a proximal portion and a distal portion relative to the inside corner of the miter joint, the proximal portion being rigidly secured against movement relative to the outer wall of the leg, and the distal portion being displaceable away from the outer wall of the leg by a distance sufficient to allow the distal portion of the inner wall and an opposing portion of the outer wall to be tightly received inside one of the rails.
two legs connected at right angles to one another, each leg comprising an inner wall and an opposing outer wall spaced from one another by a distance sufficient to allow said legs to be easily inserted into the angular ends of the rails;
the inner walls of the legs each having a proximal portion and a distal portion relative to the inside corner of the miter joint, the proximal portion being rigidly secured against movement relative to the outer wall of the leg, and the distal portion being displaceable away from the outer wall of the leg by a distance sufficient to allow the distal portion of the inner wall and an opposing portion of the outer wall to be tightly received inside one of the rails.
2. The corner element of claim 1, wherein the proximal portion of each of the inner walls is connected to at least one point on the opposing outer wall.
3. The corner element of claim 1, wherein said proximal portions of the inner walls are joined together at an apex adapted to receive the inside corner of the miter joint.
4. The corner element of claim 3, wherein the apex is rigidly secured against movement by a web connecting said apex to at least one of said outer walls.
5. The corner element of claim 4, wherein a first web connects said apex to a point at which said outer walls of the two legs are connected.
6. The corner element of claim 5, wherein a second web extends from a distal point on the outer wall of one of the legs to a distal point on the outer wall of a second one of the legs, and has a central portion connected to the apex of the inner walls.
7. The corner element of claim 6, wherein the second web forms an angle of about 45 degrees with the inner and outer walls of each of the legs, and forms an angle of about 90 degrees with the first web.
8. The corner element of claim 1, wherein the outer wall of each leg is provided with fastener locating means, and said distal portion of said inner wall of each leg is adapted to be displaced away from said outer wall by a force exerted on said distal portion by a fastener means extending through said outer wall at said screw locating means and being directed inwardly toward said inner wall.
9. The corner element of claim 8, wherein said force exerted by said fastener is transmitted to said inner wall by a force transmitting web extending substantially perpendicularly from said inner leg toward said outer leg, said web terminating at a lip extending substantially parallel to said inner surface and having a fastener receiving surface opposing and spaced from said fastener locating means in said outer wall, whereby said fastener receiving surface is adapted to be engaged by threading said fastener means through said outer wall toward said inner wall.
10. The corner element of claim 9, wherein the lip has a concave surface opposing the fastener locating means of the outer wall.
11. The corner element of claim 9, wherein a distal end of the lip is connected to the distal end of the outer wall via a distally extending web having a portion of reduced thickness.
12. The corner element of claim 9, wherein said fastener means extends through a wall of said rail and through said outer wall of said corner element, thereby securing said corner element to said rail.
13. The corner element of claim 1, wherein said element comprises a length of extruded metal.
Priority Applications (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA 2266254 CA2266254A1 (en) | 1999-03-22 | 1999-03-22 | Corner fastening element |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA 2266254 CA2266254A1 (en) | 1999-03-22 | 1999-03-22 | Corner fastening element |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA2266254A1 true CA2266254A1 (en) | 2000-09-22 |
Family
ID=29588594
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA 2266254 Abandoned CA2266254A1 (en) | 1999-03-22 | 1999-03-22 | Corner fastening element |
Country Status (1)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| CA (1) | CA2266254A1 (en) |
Cited By (2)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| AU2004218625B2 (en) * | 2003-10-07 | 2010-10-21 | Bond, Norma Beatrice Carmen | A door or window closing means |
| AU2014233638B2 (en) * | 2013-09-26 | 2018-11-15 | Bradnam's Windows And Doors Pty Ltd | A Corner Stake for a Window or Door |
-
1999
- 1999-03-22 CA CA 2266254 patent/CA2266254A1/en not_active Abandoned
Cited By (2)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| AU2004218625B2 (en) * | 2003-10-07 | 2010-10-21 | Bond, Norma Beatrice Carmen | A door or window closing means |
| AU2014233638B2 (en) * | 2013-09-26 | 2018-11-15 | Bradnam's Windows And Doors Pty Ltd | A Corner Stake for a Window or Door |
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| Date | Code | Title | Description |
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| FZDE | Dead |