Flexible clip
AssigneeGED Integrated Solutions, Inc.
InventorsPaul Langer, Timothy McGlinchy
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A muntin clip for use with a spacer frame or window sash having an elongated channel extending around an inner periphery of the frame. The disclosed muntin clip has a spacer frame or sash engaging body for insertion into a channel of the spacer frame. A flexible body portion flexes from a first configuration to a second configuration as the clip is pushed into the spacer frame to exert an outward force against walls of the spacer frame bounding the frame channel. The disclosed clip also includes a muntin bar engaging body attached to the spacer frame engaging body that includes a flexible portion that flexes as the muntin bar engaging body is pushed into the muntin bar to frictionally engage the muntin bar.
Claims42
For use with a spacer frame having opposed walls bounding an elongated channel extending around a periphery of said frame, a muntin bar clip comprising:
- a spacer frame engaging body for insertion into a channel of the spacer frame and including a flexible body portion which flexes from a first configuration that is wider than a spacing between an entrance to the opposed bounding walls to a second configuration that allows the clip to be pushed into the spacer frame to exert an outward securing force against the spacer frame;
- a muntin bar engaging body attached to the spacer frame engaging body having a flexible portion that flexes as the muntin bar engaging body is pushed into the muntin bar.
A method for mounting a muntin bar to a spacer frame having opposed walls that define a channel comprising
- inserting one end of a muntin bar mounting clip into one end of an elongated muntin bar;
- flexing an opposite end of the mounting clip until said clip can be inserted between the opposed walls of said spacer frame;
- and
- releasing the opposite end of the mounting clip so that outward forces are asserted agains walls of a channel of the spacer frame.
For use with a window sash having an elongated channel extending around an inner periphery of said sash, a muntin bar clip comprising:
- a sash engaging body for insertion into a channel of the sash and including a flexible body portion which flexes from a first configuration to a second configuration as the clip is pushed into the sash to exert an outward force against walls of the sash bounding the elongated channel;
- a muntin bar engaging body attached to the sash engaging body having a flexible portion that flexes as the muntin bar engaging body is pushed into the muntin bar.
For use with a spacer frame having opposed walls bounding an elongated channel extending around a periphery of said frame, a clip comprising:
- a spacer frame engaging body for insertion into a channel of the spacer frame and including a flexible body portion which flexes from a first configuration to a second configuration as the clip is pushed into an entrance to the channel to exert an outward securing force against the spacer frame;
- a support attached to the spacer frame engaging body that supports structure inside a region bounded by the spacer frame.
For use with a spacer frame having an elongated channel extending around an inner periphery of said frame, a clip comprising:
- a spacer frame engaging body for insertion into a channel of the spacer frame and including a body portion having an array of fingers that form a notch which flex from a first configuration to a second configuration as a spacer frame flange is inserted into the notch formed by the array of fingers to exert a retaining force to maintain the clip within the walls of the spacer frame bounding the frame channel;
- and
- a support attached to the spacer frame engaging body that supports structure inside a region bounded by the spacer frame.
For use with a frame, a clip for supporting a muntin bar and attaching the muntin bar to said frame comprising:
- a frame engaging body for connecting the muntin bar to the window including a body portion which contacts the frame to exert a securing force against the frame and maintain engagement between said frame and said clip;
- a muntin support attached to the frame engaging body that supports a muntin bar inside a region bounded by the frame, said muntin support comprising:
- a) a center spine that extends from the frame engaging body into the muntin bar and is bound by walls of said muntin bar;
- b) a set of first and second elongated fingers coupled to the spine at an angle and having a length to engage side walls of the muntin bar as the spine enters the muntin bar and flexes inward toward said spine to exert a sufficient force against an inner wall surface of said muntin bar.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.