Rail Clip For Forming Door And Window Assemblies
AssigneeJames Hardie Technology Limited
InventorBrian A. Emanuel
Life of this patent
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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.
Claims20
A structural connection arrangement, comprising:
- a first member having a longitudinal axis;
- a second member having a longitudinal axis and at least one opening formed in the second member and oriented in a transverse direction relative to the longitudinal axis;
- a pair of connection members for securing the first and second members together, each connection member comprising:
- a first portion configured to be coupled to the first member and a second portion that extends beyond an end of the first member;
- a tab formed at an end of the second portion of each connection member opposite the first portion and offset from the end of the first member, each tab extending in a direction that is transverse to a longitudinal axis of the first portion of a respective connection member;
- and
- wherein the at least one opening of the second member is shaped to cooperate with the second portion of a respective connection member so that, when the longitudinal axis of the first member is oriented in a transverse direction relative to the longitudinal axis of the second member and the connection member is advanced into engagement with the first and second members, the tab moves into alignment and passes through the opening and engages a surface of the second member that is adjacent the opening and faces away from the first member to prevent movement of the second member away from the first member.
A structural frame assembly comprising:
- a first frame member and a second frame member, each frame member defined by a body that extends along a longitudinal axis, a cavity that extends in the longitudinal direction and is defined by the body of each respective frame member;
- a first connector and a second connector that are each defined by a body that extends along a longitudinal axis;
- a ridge formed proximate an end of each connector and extending in a radially outward direction from the body relative to the longitudinal axis of the respective connector;
- and
- a first opening and a second opening formed in one of the first frame member and the second frame member such that, when the first frame member and the second frame member are positioned in contact engagement with one another, a first portion of both of the first connector and the second connector cooperate with the cavity of one of the first frame member and the second frame member and a second portion of both of the first connector and the second connector pass through a respective one of the first and second openings such that the ridge is disposed in the cavity of the other of the first frame member and the second frame member and cooperates with a surface of the body that faces the cavity of the other of the first frame member and the second frame member such that the first frame member is secured to the second frame and the longitudinal axis of the first frame member extends in a transverse direction relative to the longitudinal axis of the second frame member.
A method of assembling a structural frame assembly, the method comprising:
- providing a first elongate member and a second elongate member that are connectable to each other so that the first elongate member and the second elongate member extend in crossing directions relative to one another;
- and
- providing a first clip and a second clip that each have a first portion that is constructed to engage a common end of the first elongate member and a second portion that cooperates with a respective opening formed in the second elongate member so that a tab associated with the second portion of each clip overlaps a portion of the second elongate member when the first elongate member and the second elongate member are secured to one another.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.