One-piece injection molded window frame and sash
AssigneeS.B.R. Limited
InventorsCharles D. Kownacki, Stephen T. Mansfield, Craig J Lawson, Charline W. Crooks
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Abstract
Window components are made by a fluid-assist injection molding process to reduce manufacturing costs and provide additional flexibility in the configuration of the window. In addition to the inventive product-by-process, two window configurations, a casement window and a picture window, are taught. The casement window has a frame with installation flanges and the window sash has integral mounting posts for handle hardware. Both the window frame and sash have encapsulated insulative air pockets. An acrylic window pane is taught that mimics a glass block window.
Claims7
A one-piece, integral molded window component selected from the group consisting of a window sash and a window frame made by the process including the steps of
- a) providing a mold cavity incorporating the desired window component construction, said mold cavity having a first volume;
- b) injecting a second volume of molten plastic which is less than said first volume;
- c) introducing a high pressure fluid into said mold cavity to hollow out said second volume of molten plastic and force amounts of said molten plastic into all peripheral regions of said mold cavity creating a structural element with a hollow insulative core;
- d) allowing adequate dwell time in the mold for said molten plastic to set;
- e) ejecting said molded window component from the mold;
- f) subjecting said molded window component to post-molding operations.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.