US 6,746,175 B1 · Fenestration corner lock

Abstract

A fenestration product such as a door or a window includes a plurality of frame members positioned in a surrounding relationship about a panel, each of the members having a pair of opposite open ends. A plurality of corner locks couple the beveled ends of the frame members together to form secure corners of the frame. A miter joint interface line is defined between the abutting, beveled ends of the members at each corner. Each corner lock comprises a generally L-shaped body having a pair of legs that are secured within the open ends of the corresponding frame members. A pair of parallel sealant channels extend along the back, top and front of the body and are disposed on opposite sides of and laterally offset from the interface line so that sealant filling the channels creates a pair of parallel seal paths between the lock and the frame that are laterally offset from the interface line. This keeps the sealant from escaping through the interface line onto the decorative surface of the frame and creating an unsightly deposit, yet provides a secure seal against the environment. A small notch in the frame at each corner allows a small amount of the sealant to flow out of the corner and onto the non-decorative surface of the frame for covering the interface line on the non-decorative surface.

Claims58

Dependent claims

A corner lock for coupling adjacent frame members of a fenestration product, the adjacent frame members having respective end faces configured to matingly engage one another to form a joint there between, said adjacent frame members presenting respective coupling openings defined in the end faces, said corner lock comprising:

a first leg configured for reception in the coupling opening of one of the adjacent frame members;
a second leg configured for reception in the coupling opening of the other of the adjacent frame members;
and
a junction between said first and second legs, said legs being configured to position said junction in registration with the joint of the adjacent frame members when coupled by said corner lock,
said legs including structure defining respective first and second sealing channels positioned laterally offset from said junction, each channel defining a flow path that extends along opposite sides of said junction from one side of said legs to an opposite side of said legs, with said channels configured for receiving sealant therein to provide a seal between said legs and respective frame members,
said first leg including an upstanding, first rib positioned between said first sealing channel and said junction,
said second leg including an upstanding, second rib positioned between said second sealing channel and said junction,
said first and second ribs configured to minimize the flow of sealant from said channels to said junction and thus to the joint.

5 more elements

A fenestration product comprising:

an open, rectangular metal frame including members that intersect one another at right angles to form corners of the frame,
each of said members being generally transversely U-shaped and having a pair of opposite, mitered, open ends so that the ends of adjacent members at each corner complementally engage one another to present a miter interface line;
a panel mounted on said frame;
a corner lock within each corner of the frame,
said lock comprising a generally L-shaped body having a pair of legs intersecting one another at right angles along a diagonal junction line extending generally parallel to the interface line,
said body having a front, a back, a top and a bottom and said body having a pair of sealant channels on opposite sides of and laterally offset from said junction line, said sealant channels extending along at least a portion of three of said front, back, top and bottom,
said legs projecting into said open ends of the members and being secured thereto,
said junction line being disposed in underlying, registered relationship with said interface line;
and
sealant filling said channels to present a pair of generally parallel seal paths between the lock and the frame that are disposed on opposite side of and laterally offset from said miter interface line.

7 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Fenestration corner lock

Life of this patent

Fenestration corner lock

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims58