# US 2021/0340808 A1 · Enhanced field of view for fenestration units > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2021/0340808 A1 - Document ID: US20210340808A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 17/233,731 - Filed: 2021-04-19 - Published: 2021-11-04 - Earliest claimed: 2018-06-22 - Assignees: Pella Corporation - Applicants: Pella Corporation - Inventors: Todd A. Bernhagen; Paul D. Schroder; Evan R. Vande Haar - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20210340808A1 ## CPC - E06B 3/325: {Wings opening towards the outside} - E06B 3/64: Fixing of more than one pane to a frame - E06B 3/5454: {inside U-shaped section members} - E06B 3/6617: {one of the panes being larger than another} - E06B 3/66309: {Section members positioned at the edges of the glazing unit} - E06B 7/28: Other arrangements on doors or windows, e.g. door-plates, windows adapted to carry plants, hooks for window cleaners {(edge protecting devices for door leaves E06B3/88; special glazing; emergency glazing; double glazing E06B3/66)} - E06B 2003/66385: {with special shapes} - E06B: FIXED OR MOVABLE CLOSURES FOR OPENINGS IN BUILDINGS, VEHICLES, FENCES OR LIKE ENCLOSURES IN GENERAL, e.g. DOORS, WINDOWS, BLINDS, GATES (shades or blinds for greenhouses A01G9/22; curtains A47H; lids for car boots or bonnets B62D25/10; skylights E04B7/18; sunshades, awnings E04F10/00) ## Abstract A fenestration unit comprising a frame having a center, a sash coupled to the frame, an interior pane coupled to the sash, a spacer coupled to the interior pane, an exterior pane coupled to the sash and the spacer, the exterior pane including an inward-facing surface, and a peripheral shield disposed on the inward-facing surface of the exterior pane such that, when viewed at direct angle, the peripheral shield hides the spacer, the sash, and at least part of the frame. ## Claims ### Claim 1 (canceled) ### Claim 2 A fenestration unit configured to be installed in a structure having an interior side and an exterior side, the fenestration unit comprising: a frame having a center and a lower portion; a sash coupled to the frame, the sash including a lower portion having a top surface; an interior pane; an exterior pane, the interior and exterior panes being supported by the sash; a spacer positioned between the exterior pane and the interior pane, the spacer having a lower portion with a center-facing surface; and a cladding coupled to the exterior pane, the cladding having a lower portion with an upper surface that is located on substantially the same level as or more outward than the center-facing surface of the spacer. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The fenestration unit of claim 2, wherein the cladding forms part of the sash of the fenestration unit. ### Claim 4 (depends on 2) The fenestration unit of claim 2, wherein the upper surface of the cladding is located closer to the lower portion of the frame than the top surface of the sash. ### Claim 5 (depends on 4) The fenestration unit of claim 4, wherein the a vision line is defined along the upper surface of the cladding and the top surface of the sash, and further wherein the vision line is farther away from a center of the frame than a theoretical vision line defined if the upper surface of the cladding were at substantially the same level as the top surface of the sash such that an arrangement of the cladding relative to the sash effectively expands the viewing angle for substantially unobstructed viewing that may be observed from the interior space relative to the viewing angle that would be achieved with the theoretical vision line. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The fenestration unit of claim 1, further comprising a peripheral shield disposed proximate an interface between the interior pane and the sash. ### Claim 7 (depends on 6) The fenestration unit of claim 6, wherein the sash defines an inner surface configured to face toward the interior side of the building, and the inner surface of the sash is shielded from observation by the peripheral shield. ### Claim 8 A fenestration unit comprising: a frame; a sash coupled to the frame; an exterior pane coupled to the sash; an interior pane coupled to the sash; a spacer positioned between the exterior pane and the interior pane, the spacer having a lower portion with an upward-facing surface; and a cladding coupled to the exterior pane, the cladding having a lower portion with an upper surface that is positioned at, or more outwardly than the upward-facing surface of the spacer. ### Claim 9 (depends on 8) The fenestration unit of claim 8, further comprising: a peripheral shield disposed on the exterior pane such that the sash is shielded from observation by the peripheral shield when viewed at direct angle. ### Claim 10 (depends on 8) The fenestration unit of claim 8, wherein the cladding forms part of the sash of the fenestration unit. ### Claim 11 (depends on 8) The fenestration unit of claim 8, wherein the upper surface of the cladding is located closer to a lower portion of the frame than a top surface of the sash. ### Claim 12 (depends on 8) The fenestration unit of claim 8, wherein the a vision line is defined along the upper surface of the cladding and a top surface of the sash, and further wherein the vision line is farther away from a center of the frame than a theoretical vision line defined if the upper surface of the cladding were at substantially the same level as the top surface of the sash such that an arrangement of the cladding relative to the sash effectively expands the viewing angle for substantially unobstructed viewing that may be observed from the interior space relative to the viewing angle that would be achieved with the theoretical vision line. ### Claim 13 (depends on 8) The fenestration unit of claim 8, further comprising a peripheral shield disposed proximate an interface between the interior pane and the sash. ### Claim 14 (depends on 13) The fenestration unit of claim 13, wherein the sash defines an inner surface configured to face toward the interior side of the building, and the inner surface of the sash is shielded from observation by the peripheral shield. ### Claim 15 A fenestration unit comprising: a frame having a perimeter defining a center; a sash coupled to the frame; an exterior pane coupled to the sash; an interior pane coupled to the sash; a spacer positioned between the exterior pane and the interior pane, the spacer having a lower portion and an upward-facing surface; and a member positioned exterior to the exterior pane and coupled to the exterior pane, the member having an upper surface that is positioned at, or more outwardly from the center of the frame than the upward-facing surface of the spacer. ### Claim 16 (depends on 15) The fenestration unit of claim 15, further comprising: a peripheral shield disposed on the exterior pane such that the sash is shielded from observation by the peripheral shield when viewed at direct angle. ### Claim 17 (depends on 15) The fenestration unit of claim 15, wherein the member forms part of the sash of the fenestration unit. ### Claim 18 (depends on 15) The fenestration unit of claim 15, wherein the upper surface of the member is located closer to a lower portion of the frame than a top surface of the sash. ### Claim 19 (depends on 15) The fenestration unit of claim 15, wherein the a vision line is defined along the upper surface of the member and a top surface of the sash, and further wherein the vision line is farther away from a center of the frame than a theoretical vision line defined if the upper surface of the member were at substantially the same level as the top surface of the sash such that an arrangement of the cladding relative to the sash effectively expands the viewing angle for substantially unobstructed viewing that may be observed from the interior space relative to the viewing angle that would be achieved with the theoretical vision line.