Window frame insert for an existing window frame and method of using the same

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-12078000-B2
Application number	US-202017604942-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	May 14, 2020
Priority date	May 16, 2019
Publication date	Sep 3, 2024
Grant date	Sep 3, 2024

Abstract

A window frame insert for an existing window frame can comprise: a window pane comprising a thermoplastic polymer, wherein a length of the window pane is divided into a first portion and a second portion by a living hinge mechanism formed into the window pane that extends across a width of the window pane from one edge to an opposite edge such that the first portion can bend at the living hinge mechanism toward the second portion, and wherein an outer edge of the window pane removably attaches to the existing window frame, and preferably wherein the first portion and the second portion have a haze value of less than or equal to 5% as determined in accordance with ASTM D1003-13, preferably less than or equal to 2%.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A window frame insert for an existing window frame, the window frame insert comprising:
a window pane comprising a thermoplastic polymer, one side of the window pane is a single unitary sheet, while the other side of the window pane comprises a living hinge formed into the window pane,
wherein a length of the window pane is divided into a first portion and a second portion by the living hinge mechanism that extends across a width of the window pane from one edge to an opposite edge such that the first portion is configured to bend at the living hinge mechanism toward the second portion, and
wherein the first portion and the second portion have a haze value of less than or equal to 5% as determined in accordance with ASTM D1003-13; and
wherein an outer edge of the window pane removably attaches to the existing window frame:
wherein the living hinge mechanism comprises four or more grooves, which extend across the width of the window pane, perpendicular to the length of the window pane;
wherein each groove has a depth, a width, and top edges, and
wherein the grooves are spaced apart a distance, and
wherein the depth of the grooves, the width of the grooves, and the spacing between the grooves distance enable the first portion to bend toward the second portion, such that when the living hinge mechanism is folded, the top edges of each groove move toward each other, decreasing the width of the groove at respective groove openings, until the top edges of adjacent grooves contact each other, to provide a desired degree of bend,
wherein the first portion is enabled to move up to 180°.

2. The window frame insert of claim 1 , wherein a differential between a thickness of the window pane and a depth of each groove is greater than or equal to 0.3 millimeters.

3. The window frame inert of claim 1 , wherein the grooves are spaced 0.2 millimeter to 2 millimeters apart.

4. The window frame insert of claim 2 , wherein a width of each groove, measured parallel to the length of the window pane, is 0.4 to 0.6 times a thickness of the window pane.

5. The window frame insert of claim 1 , further comprising a base frame, wherein an exterior perimeter of the base frame is configured to mount to an inside surface of the existing window frame, wherein the base frame comprises a lip extending toward a center of the base frame.

6. The window frame insert of claim 5 , further comprising a channel forming an inner frame, wherein the outer edge of the window pane is located in the channel between a first wall and a second wall of the channel, wherein the first wall of the channel removably attaches to the lip of the base frame.

7. The window frame insert of claim 1 , wherein a handle mechanism extends from an end of the window pane.

8. The window frame insert of claim 7 , wherein the handle mechanism is configured to mate with a receiver mechanism located on an opposing end of the window pane.

9. The window frame insert of claim 1 , wherein a thickness of the window pane is 0.5 millimeters to 5 millimeters.

10. The window frame insert of claim 5 , wherein the base frame comprises two or more base frame members that are adjustable to a shape of the existing window frame.

11. The window frame insert of claim 5 , wherein the lip of the base frame is present along the entire interior perimeter of the base frame, and wherein the lip of the base frame and the window pane form an air-tight seal.

12. The window frame insert of claim 1 , wherein the window pane has a visible light transmission value of greater than or equal to 50%, as determined in accordance with ASTM D1003-00, Procedure A, using D65 illumination, 10 degrees observer, and at a thickness of 3 millimeters.

13. The window frame insert of claim 1 , wherein the living hinge mechanism is formed into the window pane.

14. The window frame insert of claim 1 , wherein the lip comprises a magnetic material.

15. The window frame insert of claim 1 , wherein the outer edge of the window pane magnetically attaches to the lip of the base frame.

16. A window frame insert for an existing window frame, the window frame insert comprising:
a window pane comprising a thermoplastic polymer,
wherein a length of the window pane is divided into a first portion and a second portion by a living hinge mechanism that extends across a width of the window pane from one edge to an opposite edge such that the first portion can bend at the living hinge mechanism toward the second portion, and
wherein the first portion and the second portion have a haze value of less than or equal to 5% as determined in accordance with ASTM D1003-13; and
wherein an outer edge of the window pane removably attaches to the existing window frame;
wherein the window frame insert further comprises a base frame, wherein an exterior perimeter of the base frame is configured to mount to an inside surface of the existing window frame, wherein the base frame comprises a lip extending toward a center of the base frame.

17. The window frame insert of claim 16 , further comprising a channel forming an inner frame, wherein the outer edge of the window pane is located in the channel between a first wall and a second wall of the channel, wherein the first wall of the channel removably attaches to the lip of the base frame.

18. The window frame insert of claim 16 , wherein:
the base frame comprises two or more base frame members that are adjustable to a shape of the existing window frame.

Assignees

• Sabic Global Technologies Bv

Inventors

• Maas Christianus Johannes Jacobus
• Tag Reinhard
• Henricus Van Acht Michel Egbertus
• Van Der Wal John Hendricus
• Mcdonough William Andrews
• Khalifa Aly G

Classifications

• E06B3/5418 Primary

  Permanently fixing of an additional unframed pane (compound frames E06B3/2605) · CPC title

• E06B3/2605 Primary

  with frames permanently mounted behind or within each other, each provided with a pane or screen · CPC title

• E05Y2900/148

  Windows · CPC title

• E05D1/02 Primary

  made of one piece · CPC title