Rail clip for forming door and window assemblies

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-9328752-B2
Application number	US-201313771644-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Feb 20, 2013
Priority date	Feb 27, 2012
Publication date	May 3, 2016
Grant date	May 3, 2016

Abstract

A structural connection arrangement and method for connecting at least two sash, stile, mullion, or frame members of window and/or door frame assemblies that are oriented in crossing orientations when connected to one another. The connection arrangement includes at least two elongate members that each extend along a respective longitudinal axis. A pair of openings are formed in one of the elongate members and oriented to face in a crossing direction relative to the longitudinal axis of the respective member. A pair of connection members is secured to the other of the elongate members of the frame assembly and extends beyond the elongate member so that each connection member cooperates with one of the pair of openings and overlaps an interface between the two elongate members.

First claim

I claim:

1. A structural connection arrangement, comprising:
a first member extending along a first longitudinal axis, wherein the first member defines an end;
a second member extending along a second longitudinal axis, wherein the second member defines an abutment wall having an inner surface and an outer surface, wherein the abutment wall includes at least one opening extending between the inner and outer surfaces of the abutment wall and oriented in a transverse direction relative to the second longitudinal axis, wherein the end of the first member is positioned adjacent to and facing the outer surface of the abutment wall of the second member;
one or more connection members carried by the first member for securing the first and second members together, each connection member comprising:
a first member connection portion configured to be coupled to the first member and a second member connection portion that extends beyond the end of the first member;
a tab formed on the second member connection portion of the connection member,

wherein the tab extends in a direction that is transverse to the first longitudinal axis; and
a coupling arrangement that is engageable with the first member and with each of the connection members, wherein the coupling arrangement is configured to selectively provide movement of the connection member in a direction that is transverse to the first longitudinal axis toward a surface of the first member to an engaged position;
wherein when the end of the first member is positioned adjacent to and facing the outer surface of the abutment wall of the second member at a location adjacent the at least one opening of the second member, the tab extends into and through the at least one opening of the second member, and wherein movement of the connection member to the engaged position is operable to move the tab in a direction along the second longitudinal axis into engagement with the inner surface of the abutment wall of the second member adjacent the opening to prevent movement of the second member away from the first member along the first longitudinal axis.

2. The structural connection arrangement of claim 1 wherein the coupling arrangement comprises at least one fastener.

3. The structural connection arrangement of claim 2 wherein the at least one fastener comprises a first fastener and a second fastener that each engages the first member connection portion and are spaced from one another along the first longitudinal axis.

4. The structural connection arrangement of claim 2 wherein the first member includes a first cutout and a second cutout that are each shaped to cooperate with a head of each of the first and second fasteners.

5. The structural connection arrangement of claim 1 wherein the first member connection portion of each connection member defines an end, from which the second member connection portion extends, that has a transverse dimension greater than the opening of the second member.

6. The structural connection arrangement of claim 5 further comprising at least one rib formed on the first member connection portion of each connection member.

7. A structural frame assembly comprising:
a first frame member extending along a first longitudinal axis and a second frame member extending along a second longitudinal axis, each frame member having a cavity, and wherein the first frame member defines an end and the second frame member defines an abutment wall defining an inner surface and an outer surface;
a first connector and a second connector, wherein each connector includes a body that extends along a connector longitudinal axis;
a tab located at an end defined by each connector and extending in a transverse direction from the connector body relative to the longitudinal axis of the connector body;
spaced apart first and second openings formed in the abutment wall of the second frame member, wherein each opening extends between the inner and outer surfaces of the abutment wall;
wherein when the end defined by the first frame member is positioned adjacent to and facing the outer surface of the abutment wall of the second frame member at a location between the first and second openings in the abutment wall of the second frame member, the first and second connectors are located adjacent a pair of surfaces defined by the first frame member and the tabs of both of the first connector and the second connector extend outwardly from the end of the first frame member and through the respective first and second openings in the second frame member and into the cavity of the second frame member; and
further comprising a coupling arrangement engaged with the first frame member and each of the first and second connectors, wherein the coupling arrangement secures the body of each connector to the first frame member and also moves the tabs of the first and second connectors in a direction along the second longitudinal axis to position the tabs of the first and second connectors in alignment with the inner surface of the abutment wall of the second frame member adjacent the respective first and second openings, wherein the first frame member is secured to the second frame member and the first longitudinal axis of the first frame member extends in a transverse direction relative to the second longitudinal axis of the second frame member.

8. The structural frame assembly of claim 7 wherein the coupling arrangement comprises one or more fasteners that extend through each of the first connector and the second connector into engagement with the first frame member.

9. The structural frame assembly of claim 8 wherein the one or more fasteners comprise a pair of fasteners that extend through each of the first connector and the second connector into engagement with the first frame member such that the fasteners are offset from one another along the first longitudinal axis of the first frame member.

10. The structural frame assembly of claim 9 further comprising a reinforcing rib defined by the body of each of the first connector and the second connector.

11. The structural frame assembly of claim 7 wherein the tab of each connector has a generally semi-circular shape.

Assignees

• Hardie James Technology Ltd

Inventors

• Emanuel Brian A

Classifications

• E06B1/524 Primary

  Mullions; Transoms · CPC title

• Y10T29/49947

  by applying separate fastener · CPC title

• Y10T403/42

  Cross-Sectional Technologies · mapped topic

• F16B2/20 Primary

  Clips, i.e. with gripping action effected solely by the inherent resistance to deformation of the material of the fastening · CPC title

• E06B3/9642

  Butt type joints with at least one frame member cut off square; T-shape joints (E06B3/9641, E06B3/9644, E06B3/9647, E06B3/9649, E06B3/968 take precedence) · CPC title