Apparatus for aligning opposed frame assembly components and centering an insulated glass unit within the frame assembly

An apparatus for aligning inner and outer frame components of a frame assembly relative to an opening in a door or other panel structure such that the inner and outer frame components can be secured to one another to retain an insulated glass (IG) unit in the opening, the apparatus comprising:

• first and second side walls each having a first end and a second end, the first and second side walls spaced apart from one another,
• an interconnecting wall connecting together the first and second side walls between the first and second ends of each of the first and second side walls to define a first channel open to the first ends and extending between inner surfaces of respective portions of the first and second side walls between the first ends and one surface of the interconnecting wall and a second channel open to the second ends and extending between inner surfaces of respective portions of the first and second side walls between the second ends and an opposite surface of the interconnecting wall, the first channel juxtaposed over the second channel, and
• at least one flexible fin extending away from an outer surface of one of the first and second side walls and configured to contact a portion of an outer periphery of the IG unit within the opening that faces toward an inner periphery of the door or other panel structure, the at least one flexible fin configured to deform under force acting between the at least one flexible fin and the outer periphery of the IG unit within the opening thereby locating the IG unit within and relative to the inner periphery of the door or other panel structure about the opening,
• wherein the first channel is configured to receive therein a coupling portion of one of the inner and outer frame components, and the second channel is configured to receive therein a coupling portion of the other of the inner and outer frame components so as to align the respective coupling portions of the inner and outer frame components within the opening for securement of the coupling portions of the inner and outer frame components to one another through the interconnecting wall wherein the first and second side walls and the interconnecting wall are formed of a rigid material and the at least one flexible fin is formed of a different flexible material.