US3445978A

US3445978A - Resiliently secured trim strip

Info

Publication number: US3445978A
Application number: US566708A
Authority: US
Inventors: Manfred Muehle
Original assignee: Heinz Schuermann and Co
Current assignee: Heinz Schuermann and Co
Priority date: 1965-07-22
Filing date: 1966-07-18
Publication date: 1969-05-27
Anticipated expiration: 1986-05-27
Also published as: GB1131657A; AT283693B; NL146250B; DE1509898C3; FR1484190A; DE1509900A1; DE1509900B2; CH439665A; DE1509898A1; DE1509898B2; DE1509900C3; NL6610319A

Description

M. MUEHLE RESILIENTLY SECURED TRIM STRIP May 27, 1969 Filed .July 18, 196e Sheet l of 3 Pig. L

May 27, 1969 M. MUEHLE RESILIENTLY SECURED TRIM STRIP Filed July 18. 196s f3 of 3 Sheet Filed July 18, 1966 May 27, 1969 M. MUEHLE 3,445,978

RESILIENTLY SECURED TRIM STRIP Sheet ,i of 3 rig. 7 ffy. 8

United States Patent O 3,445,978 RESILIENTLY SECURED TRIM STRIP Manfred Muehle, Lohne in Westfalen, Germany, assignor to Heinz Schuermann & Co., Bielefeld, Germany Filed July 18, 1966, Ser. No. 566,708 Claims priority, application Germany, July 22, 1965, Sch 37,419 Int. Cl. E06b 7/22 U.S. Cl. 52'717 15 Claims ABSTRACT F THE DISCLOSURE The present invention relates to a holding arrangement. More specifically, the invention relates to an arrangement for holding window panes and other types of panels.

Holding arrangements for window panes and similar types of panels are provided with molding whichserve to cover the joints between frame and panel, to maintain the panel in the frame against dislocation, or for similar purposes. In such arrangements known from the prior art it was heretofore customary to provide these moldings with projections which had to be snapped into corresponding grooves or recesses provided in the frame. This, however, required the maintenance of rather close tolerances during manufacture of the moldings and thus made the moldings undesirably expensive. Since in this eld even seemingly small economies in the manufacture can lead to significant overall savings, it has therefore long been the desire of industry to have a holding arrangement in which tolerance variations of the molding have little or no etiect, thus making possible the manufacture of moldings under mass production conditions.

It is therefore a general object of the present invention to provide a holding arrangement which is largely unaffected by tolerance variations in the molding or, for that matter, in any other component of the arrangement.

A more specific object of the invention is to provide such a holding arrangement which is simple and economical to manufacture and lends itself readily to mass production methods.

An additional object of the invention is to provide such a holding arrangement which will reliably maintain the molding in its predetermined position and will also serve to locate and maintain the panel in proper position relative to the frame.

An additional object of the invention is to provide a holding arrangement in which the surface area available for supporting the panel is not significantly decreased by installation of the molding orrmoldings.

In an embodiment of my invention I provide a holding arrangement, particularly for window panes and other types of panels, which comprises a support member, such as a frame, having a face provided with an elongated groove. It will be understood that it is this face on which the panel is to be supported. The holding arrangement further includes a molding which extends along the face and has a portion projecting into the groove, and biasing means which is received at least in part in the groove in abutting contact with the portion of the molding and with a wall bounding the groove. Thus, the biasing means holds the portion of the molding in the groove against undesired dislocation from the latter.

The novel features which are considered as characterstic for the invention are set forth in particular in the appended claims. The invention itself, however, both as to its construction and its method of operation, together with additional objects and advantages thereof, witl be best understood from the following description of specific embodiments when read in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a biasing member for use in conjunction with the novel holding arrangement;

FIG. 2 is a sectional elevation through a frame incorporating the novel holding arrangement;

FIG. 3 is a view similar to FIG. 2. and showing a modification of the embodiment illustrated therein;

FIG. 4 is a schematic detail view of the embodiment in FIG. 2 on an enlarged scale and for explanatory purposes;

FIG. 5 is a view similar to embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 6 is a view similar to FIG. 5, showing a modification of the molding.

FIG. 7 is an end view of another biasing member for use in conjunction with an embodiment of the novel holding arrangement;

FIG. 8 is a section taken on the line VIII-VIII of FIG. 7; and

FIG. 9 is a sectional elevation of a frame provided with a holding arrangement which employs the biasing means shown in FIG. 7.

Discussing now the drawing in detail, and rstly FIG. 1 thereof, it will be seen that the biasing member shown there comprises a plate-like =rst portion A1, a strip-shaped projection 2 which is inclined with reference to the general plane of portion '1, and a proled portion or tongue 7 which extends downwardly from the portions 1 and 2 and defines a channel having a substantially triangular cross-section, with the base of the triangle facing the underside of the portions 1 and 2. It will be understood that the biasing member shown in FIG. 1 may either have the dimensions shown in the drawings, or that it may be strip-shaped and of any desired length. The member will be made of resilient material, for instance a synthetic plastic.

Coming now to FIG. 2, it will be seen that the biasing member of FIG. 1 is employed in a novel holding arrangement in accordance with the present invention. The frame or support member adapted to hold a window-pane or `a similar panel is indicated with reference numeral 14 FIG. 2, showing another and is shown to have a supporting face 14 for the panel. This face 14 is provided with an elongated groove 11 whose lateral sides are undercut as shown in the drawing. A molding 4 extends along one edge of the supporting face 14 and is provided with a portion 8 which is received in the groove 11. A section 9 of the portion 8 extends substantially parallel with the bottom wall 11' of the groove .11 and projects into one undercut of the latter. The biasing member shown in FIG. l is so arranged that its plate portion 1 overlies at least a portion of the supporting face 14 while the tongue 7 extends into the groove and projects into the undercut into which the section 9 of the molding 4 also extends. In fact, section 9 extends into the channel defined by tongue 7 and deforms the latter.

FIG. 4 shows how the section 9 is received in the channel defined by tongue 7. To facilitate understanding of the arrangement, the tongue 7 is shown in FIG. 4 in its original condition, that is before it is deformed by introduction of the section 9. It will be seen that introduction of this section into the channel defined by tongue 7 resiliently deforms the latter at all those points at which the lines of section 9 are shown as intersecting the lines of tongue 7. In other words, wherever the lines of tongue 7 intersects the lines of section 9, the material of tongue 7 will be deformed. The apex of the triangle defined by tongue 7, that is the edge 10 of the latter, abuttingly engages the bottom wall 11' of groove 11 and the free edge portion 12 of tongue 7 engages the surface 13 of portion 8. Meanwhile, the projection 2 extends into a recess 3 of the upwardly projecting portion of molding 4, this recess being bounded by surfaces 5, 6 which are upwardly inclined with reference to the general plane of portion 1 so that the projection 2 is upwardly deected and tends to exert a downwardly directed biasing action.

From consideration of FIGS. 2 and 4 it will be clear that a certain torqueacting in counterclockwise direction-is exerted on the molding 4 by the

holding member

1, 2, 7. Thus, the molding 4 is reliably secured to frame 14. At the same time it is obvious that tolerance variations in the manufacture of molding 4 are of little or no significance with this arrangement because of the deformability of tongue 7 and because of the amount of play of portion 8 and section 9 in the groove 11. Thus, if the section 9 for instance is somewhat wider than shown in FIG. 2, the entire molding 4 will move slightly to the left (with reference to the drawing) but section 9 will still be received in the undercut of groove 11 and the molding 4 will still rest on the surface portion 15 of frame 14, so that the arrangement still guarantees reliable securing of molding 4 to frame 14.

The only point to be taken into consideration in the manufacture of the various components is that the distance B in groove 11 must be larger than the width A deriving from a combination of the widths of portion 8 and section 9 with the Wall thickness C of the tongue 7. Furthermore, the tongue 7 must engage the free end of section 9 tangentially at two points, as shown in FIG. 4, so that it will defiect section 9 to the proper position under all circumstances, that is even when the dimensions B as Well `as A plus C are respectively largest and smallest, while still permitting insertion of the arrangement into the groove 11 even when the dimension A is largest and the dimensions B and C are smallest.

The embodiment in FIG. 3 is substantially the same as that 0f FIG. 2, the differences being that two moldings 4 are to be held by the biasing member. Thus, the frame 17 is provided with two

grooves

18 and 19 and the biasing member 16 is arranged mirror-symmetrically, that is it has two mirror-symmetrically arranged projections 2 and furthermore two mirror-symmetrically arranged tongues 7 which respectively cooperate with the

grooves

18 and 19. The moldings 4 are each provided with a portion 8 and a section 9, which are also mirrorsymmetrical with reference to one another. Otherwise the arrangement is the same as in FIG. 2 and needs n0 further explanation.

The significant difference of the embodiment in FIG. 3 versus that of FIG. 2 has do to with the provision of two moldings 4, rather than a single one. As will be seen, the molding 4 shown on the left-hand side of FIG. 3 has -a different configuration-upwardly of the grooves 18, 19-than the right-hand molding 4. Since the lefthand molding 4 is of considerably smaller width than the right-hand molding it will be understood that it leaves more free space for the panel which is to be supported. Thus, in an arrangement according to FIG. 3 where two moldings are provided, the availability of two moldings of different widths makes possible three different combinations in which the moldings respectively define three different cross-sectional areas between themselves. In other words, two narrow moldings can be used, two wide moldings can be used, or one wide molding can be combined with a narrow molding as shown in FIG. 3. This is of importance not only with respect to the versatility of the arrangement, but also as far as stocking policies are concerned since it is obvious that the stocking of only two different types of molding permits use of the arrangement with panels respectively havingl three different cross-sectional dimensions.

Coming now to the embodiment shown in FIGS. 5 and 6 it will be seen that in FIG. 5 the frame is again indicated with reference numeral 17, whereas the molding 20 is provided with a section 21 extending into the groove 19 parallel to and in contact with the bottom wall thereof. An S-shaped portion 22 connects the upper portion of molding 20 with the section 21. The biasing member here is designated with reference numeral 23 and is of substantially strip-shaped configuration. One edge portion 24 thereof engages in the undercut 25 of the groove 19 whereas the other edge portion 24 engages the recess existing `at the point where portion 22 joins section 21 of molding 20. Thus, the corresponding bulge of portion 22 is deected into the undercut 25 so that the molding 20 is thus reliably secured to frame 17. FIG. 5 shows the frame 17 to be provided with not only a single groove 19, but with a second groove 19, but with a second groove 18. It will be obvious that another molding 20 can be secured in groove 18 in a manner similar to the arrangement shown in FIG. 5. On the other hand, of course, frame 17 could be provided with only one groove if only one molding is to be secured thereto.

The embodiment in FIG. 6 is almost identical with that of FIG. 5 except for the fact that the molding 26 is configurated differently from the molding 20 in FIG. 5. Such a molding, which projects laterally of the frame 17, can be used if the frame is to accommodate a panel whose width is greater than the width of the frame. Otherwise, the embodiment of FIG. 6 is the same as that of FIG. 5.

Coming now to the embodiment of FIGS. 7-9, it will be seen that FIG. 7 shows a biasing member, for instance of synthetic plastic material having resilient characteristics which differs from those hereinbefore described. The biasing member of FIG. 7 comprises a resilient projection 27, which, as seen in FIG. 9, engages the panel 28 and is deflected thereby into the position shown in FIG. 9. This projection can be of one-piece construction, but can also consist of two or more arrayed sections. Furthermore, these sections can be offset with reference to one another transversely to the general plane of the projection 27 is this is desired.

Projection 27 is integral with a center portion 29 to which it extends at an angle, and it will be seen from FIG. 8 that center portion 29 in the exemplary embodiment shown comprises three

sections

30, 31 and 32 of which

sections

30 and 32 are identical configuration. These sections are very massive and deformation resistant, a characteristic which is enhanced by the provision of reinforcing

ribs

33, 34 on their respective upper surfaces. Center section 31 is constructed in form of a resilient tongue provided with a downwardly extending projection 35. A bearing block 39 is integral with the tongue 31 and preferably has a width corresponding to the width of the tongue 31. It is provided with hook-shaped

projections

41, 42 corresponding in width to the width of the

sections

30, 32.

As is evident from FIG. 9 the portion 29 of the biasing member 'is inserted into a channel-shaped space defined by the molding 37 so that the projection 35 engages behind a rib 38 provided on the molding 37. The bearing block 39 is supported on a surface of frame 40 and determines the position on the biasing member with respect to the frame 40. The hook-shaped

projections

41 and 42 engages in an undercut 43 of the groove 44 provided in frame 40. As shown in FIG. 9, the engaging surface 46 of projection 27 extends laterally beyond the upper edge 47 of molding 37 so that, if a force acting on the panel 28 tends to move the same in the direction towards the right-hand side of the drawing, the deformation of projection 27 increases while a direct contact between the panel 28 and the molding 37 is positively precluded.

Molding 37 is, as will be seen, provided with an additional groove or recess 48 in which a sealing member 45 of any suitable material is received which engages the. panel 28 in sealing relationship so as to prevent the intrusion of moisture or dust into the novel holding arrangement.

It will be understood that each of the elements described above, or two or more together, may also find a useful application in other types of holding arrangements differing from the types described above.

While the invention has been illustrated and described as embodied in a holding arrangement, it is not intended to be limited to the details shown, since various modifications and structural changes may be made without departing in any way from the spirit of the present invention.

Without further analysis, the foregoing will so fully reveal the gist of the present invention that others can by applying current knowledge readily adapt it for various applications without omitting features, that, from the standpoint of prior art, fairly constitute essential characteristics of the generic or specific aspects of this invention and, therefore, such adaptations should and are intended to be comprehended within the meaning and range of equivalence of the following claims.

What is claimed as new and desired to be secured by Letters Patent is:

1. A holding arrangement, particularly for window panes and other types of panels, comprising a support member having a face provided with an elongated groove bounded` by a bottom wall and being undercut on at least one lateral side; a molding extending along said face and having -a portion extending into said groove and partly into said undercut in substantial parallelism with said bottom wall, said molding having an additional portion extending from said face substantially normal to the firstmentioned portion; and biasing means of resiliently compressible material pressing said molding into permanent contact with said face and comprising a section substantially received in said undercut and defining a channel of substantially triangular cross-section, the first-mentioned portion having an edge region received in said channel resiliently deforming the material of said section so that the biasing action of the latter urges said section against the other lateral side of said groove to thereby hold said first-mentioned portion in said groove against undesired disclocation from the latter.

2. A holding arrangement as defined in claim 1, wherein said additional portion of said molding is provided with an elongated recess; said biasing means further cornprising a strip-shaped projection integral with said section, said strip-shaped projection being partly received in said recess of said additional portion and urging the same into engagement with said face of said support member.

3. A holding arrangement as defined in claim 2, wherein the maximum cross-sectional dimension of said groove exceeds the combined cross-sectional dimension of said portion of the molding and the wall thickness of said section of said biasing means.

4. A holding arrangement as defined in claim 2, wherein said elongated recess is bounded by opposite walls which are downwardly inclined with reference to a horizontal plane, and wherein said strip-shaped projection has a free edge portion received within said recess and is upwardly inclined in direction toward said free edge portion and with reference to the horizontal plane.

5. A holding arrangement as defined in claim 4, wherein said support member is provided in said face thereof with an additional elongated groove similar to the firstmentioned and arranged mirror-symmetrically relative thereto, wherein said biasing means comprises an additional first projection, an additional section and an additional strip-shaped projection all arranged mirror-symmetrically with reference to the first-mentioned ones; and further comprising a second molding substantially similar to the first-mentioned molding and arranged mirrorsymmetrically with respect thereto, said additional first projection being held in said additional groove against undesired dislocation.

6. A holding arrangement as defined in claim 2, wherein the apex of the triangle defined by said channel faces the bottom wall of said groove in abutting relationship therewith, said section having a wall facing away from said undercut and engaging said portion inwardly of said edge region thereof.

7. A holding arrangement, particularly for window panes and other types of panels, comprising a support member having a face provided with an elongated groove bounded by a bottom wall and being undercut on both lateral sides; a molding extending along said face and having a portion extending into said groove substantially parallel with said bottom wall and having a projection extending into one of said undercuts; and biasing means comprising a substantially strip-shaped member of resiliently compressible material received in said groove and having a first lateral edge portion extending into the other of said undercuts and a second lateral edge portion engaging said portion of said molding and urging said projection thereof into said one undercut.

8. A holding arrangement as defined in claim 7, wherein said strip-shaped member overlies said portion of the molding.

9. A holding arrangement, particularly for window panes and other types of panels, comprising a support member having a face provided with an elongated groove undercut at both lateral sides; a molding extending along said face and having a first portion extending into said groove and provided with a projection partially extending one of said undercuts, and another portion integral with said first portion upwardly adjacent said groove, said other portion defining a channel extending along and communicating with said groove and open on one lateral side; and biasing means comprising an elongated member of resilient material having a first section received in said channel and an integral second section extending into said groove and being partially received in the other of said undercuts, said second section resiliently biasing said molding in a sense tending to maintain said first portion thereof in said one undercut.

10. A holding arrangement as defined in claim 9, wherein said biasing means further comprises an integral third section extending upwardly and to one side of said first section.

11. A holding arrangement as defined in claim 10, wherein said third section extends to one side of said molding.

12. A holding arrangement as dened in claim 10, wherein said channel is provided with an elongated rib extending upwardly adjacent said one undercut of said groove, said lirst section comprising a projection engaging said rib on a side thereof opposite said other undercut of said groove.

13. A holding arrangement as dened in claim 12, wherein said first section consists of three longitudinally arrayed elements, said projection being provided on a center one of said elements and the respective outer ones of said elements being provided with reinforcing means.

14. A holding arrangement as dencd in claim 13, wherein said rst section comprises two portions respectively provided on and integral with said outer elements.

15. A holding arrangement as dened in claim 14, wherein said two portions are oiset relative to one another transversely of the longitudinal extensions of said member.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS FOREIGN PATENTS Germany.

10/ 1941 Switzerland.

HENRY C. SUTHERLAND, Primary Examiner.

U.S. Cl. X.R.