Metal reinforced mullion for windows
AssigneeAluminum Company of America
InventorsRay Garries, Jonathan C. Hauberg, David A. Stammen
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A window assembly includes adjacent first and second windows and a reinforcing mullion connecting the windows. The mullion comprises hollow polymeric first and second lineals and a metal reinforcing bar between the lineals. Interior and exterior face caps attached to the lineals span a gap between them. A securement means is also provided for connecting an end portion of the metal reinforcing bar to a support structure surrounding a window opening in a building. The mullion adds rigidity to the assembly, thereby increasing its design allowable size.
Claims22
A window assembly comprising adjacent first and second windows each comprising a polymer frame, said windows being connected by a metal and plastic reinforcing mullion for increasing structural rigidity in said window assembly, said mullion comprising:
- (a) an elongated polymeric first lineal defining an elongated first groove opening toward said second window;
- (b) an elongated polymeric second lineal defining an elongated second groove opening toward said first window;
- and
- (c) a metal reinforcing bar including:
- (i) a blade extending between said first and second lineals;
- (ii) a first beam extending generally parallel to said lineals and projecting laterally outwardly from said blade, said first beam including a first portion extending into said first groove and a second portion extending into said second groove;
- and
- (iii) a second beam extending outwardly from said blade and including a first interior portion interior of said first lineal and a second interior portion interior of said second lineal.
The window assembly of claim I wherein said metal reinforcing bar comprises steel and said blade is welded to said first beam.
A metal and polymer reinforcing mullion for increasing rigidity in a window assembly including adjacent windows having polymer frames, said mullion comprising elongated hollow polymer first and second lineals each defining a groove facing laterally outwardly thereof, and a metal reinforcing bar including an elongated blade adapted to extend into a gap between the first and second lineals and a first beam having first and second portions extending laterally outward of the blade, said first and second portions being sized for insertion into said grooves, said reinforcing bar further including a second beam spaced from said first beam and extending laterally outward of said blade.
A reinforcing mullion for increasing rigidity in an assembly comprising adjacent fenestrations, said mullion comprising:
- (a) an elongated, hollow polymer first lineal defining an elongated first groove;
- (b) an elongated, hollow polymer second lineal defining an elongated second groove opening toward said first groove;
- and
- (c) a metal reinforcing bar comprising:
- (i) a blade extending between the first and second lineals;
- (ii) a first beam projecting laterally outward from said blade and including a first portion extending into said first groove and a second portion extending into said second groove;
- and
- (iii) a second beam spaced interiorly of said first beam and extending laterally outward of said blade, said second beam including a first interior portion interior of said first lineal and a second interior portion interior of said second lineal.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.