Accessory mounting devices for window systems

• US 8,196,363 B2
• Filed: 04/29/2009
• Issued: 06/12/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 03/28/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Hawkes Design And Consulting, LLC
• Original Assignee: The Muhler Company, Inc.
• Inventors: Hay, Henry M., Weber, Bruce
• Primary Examiner(s): A, Phi
• Assistant Examiner(s): HIJAZ, OMAR F
• Application Number:
  US12/432,079
• Publication Number:
  US 20090277108A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,140 Days
• Field of Search: 522/02, 5220462-20467, 522/047, 494/63, 494/65, 49/50, 49/57, 411 45- 48, 411/182, 411/508
• US Class Current: 52/204.62
• CPC Class Codes: E06B 2009/005 Storm panels; hurricane shutters
• CPC Class Codes: E06B 9/02 Shutters, movable grilles, or other safety closing devices, e.g. against burglary louvre windows or grilles E06B7/08; lamellar blinds E06B9/26

Abstract

A window system for installation in a structure is provided. The window system includes a front side that faces away from the structure and a back side that faces into the structure when the window system is installed in a structure. The window system further includes at least one window pane having a front side that faces away from the structure and a back side that faces into the structure when the window system is installed in a structure; at least one sash that surrounds the at least one window pane, wherein the sash has a front side that faces away from the structure and a back side that faces into the structure when the window system is installed in a structure; at least one window frame comprising at least one head, sill, and jamb; and at least one mounting base integral to the window.

Claims

1. A mounting base for a window frame, comprising:

a female body having an elongated shape, the elongated shape of the female body having a length that exceeds a width of the female body, the female body comprising a head that comprises the having an elongated shape, the head being constructed and arranged to mount on an exterior of the window frame and cover an elongated opening in a surface of an exterior of the window frame, the female body having an elongated and transverse slot therein that bisects the head and a portion of the female body that adjoins the head, the slot extending from a first end of the length of the head to an opposite end of the length of the head and forming a first opposing side of the female body and a second opposing side of the female body, wherein the first opposing side of the female body is displaceable toward the elongated and transverse slot and the second opposing side of the female body by application of pressure and returns to a normal position upon withdrawing of pressure;

an elongated male body that engages the elongated and transverse slot in the female body and holds the first opposing side of the female body away from the second opposing side of the female body to hold the female body in position in the elongated opening of the window frame;

a fastener that passes through the male body from a top of the male body to a bottom of the male body and engages a void in the female body that is below the bottom of the male body to hold the male body in position in the female body;

wherein the female body comprises a neck positioned below the head, the neck having a reduced dimension from the head, wherein the neck is present in the first opposing side of the female body that is displaceable towards the elongated and transverse slot and the neck position is opposite the elongated and transverse slot, and the neck is present in the second opposing side of the female body and the neck is positioned opposite the elongated and transverse slot.

2. A mounting base for a window frame as described in claim 1, wherein the female body comprises an elongated and generally oval shape, and wherein the female body has an arcuate shape on a first end thereof that is adjacent to the first end of the head, and the first end of the female body is constructed and arranged to engage a first arcuate end of the elongated opening of the window frame, and wherein the female body has an arcuate shape on a second end thereof that is adjacent to the second end of the head, and the second end of the female body is constructed and arranged to engage a second arcuate end of the elongated opening of the window frame.

3. A mounting base for a window frame as described in claim 1, further comprising a foot that extends laterally from only one side of an end of the female body that is opposite the head.

4. A mounting base for a window frame as described in claim 1, further comprising a foot that extends laterally from an end of the female body that is opposite the head, wherein an end of the foot that is opposite the female body comprises a first member that is positioned over and spaced apart from a second member.

5. A mounting base for a window frame as described in claim 1, wherein the male body has a width that exceeds the distance between the first opposing side of the female body and the second opposing side of the female body to hold the female body in position in the elongated opening of the window frame.

6. A mounting base for a window frame as described in claim 1, wherein the fastener is a threaded fastener, and the void in the female body is threaded to engage the threaded fastener.

7. A mounting base for a window frame as described in claim 1, further comprising an elongated foot that extends laterally from one end of the female body that is opposite the head, wherein an end of the foot that is opposite the female body is substantially flat along its length.

8. A mounting base for a window frame as described in claim 1, wherein when the male body is fully engaged with the elongate transverse slot of the female body, and prior to insertion of the fastener in the void in the female body, the female body cannot be pulled away from the window frame without deforming the opening in the exterior of the window frame prior to insertion of the fastener.

9. A mounting base for a window frame, comprising:

a female body, the female body comprising a head having an elongated shape, the head being constructed and arranged to mount on an exterior of the window frame and cover an elongated opening in a surface of an exterior of the window frame, the female body having a transverse slot therein that bisects the head and a portion of the female body that adjoins the head, the slot extending from a first end of the head to an opposite end of the head and forming a first opposing side of the female body and a second opposing side of the female body, wherein the first opposing side of the female body is displaceable toward the transverse slot and the second opposing side of the female body by application of pressure and returns to a normal position upon withdrawing of pressure, wherein the female body comprises an elongated and generally oval shape, and wherein the female body has an arcuate shape on a first end thereof that is adjacent to the first end of the head, and the first end of the female body is constructed and arranged to engage a first arcuate end of the elongated opening of the window frame, and wherein the female body has an arcuate shape on a second end thereof that is adjacent to the second end of the head, and the second end of the female body is constructed and arranged to engage a second arcuate end of the elongated opening of the window frame;

a male body that engages the transverse slot in the female body and holds the first opposing side of the female body away from the second opposing side of the female body to hold the female body in position in the elongated opening of the window frame;

wherein the female body comprises a neck positioned below the head, the neck having a reduced dimension from the head, wherein the neck is present in the first opposing side of the female body that is displaceable towards the transverse slot and the neck position is opposite the transverse slot, and the neck is present in the second opposing side of the female body and the neck is positioned opposite the transverse slot.

10. A mounting base for a window frame as described in claim 9, further comprising a foot that extends laterally from only one side of an end of the female body that is opposite the head.

11. A mounting base for a window frame as described in claim 9, further comprising a foot that extends laterally from an end of the female body that is opposite the head, wherein an end of the foot that is opposite the female body comprises a first member that is positioned over and spaced apart from a second member.

12. A mounting base for a window frame as described in claim 9, wherein the male body has a width that exceeds the distance between the first opposing side of the female body and the second opposing side of the female body to hold the female body in position in the elongated opening of the window frame.

13. A mounting base for a window frame as described in claim 9, further comprising a fastener that passes through the male member and engages the female body.

14. A mounting base for a window frame as described in claim 9, further comprising an elongated foot that extends laterally from one end of the female body that is opposite the head, wherein an end of the foot that is opposite the female body is substantially flat along its length.

15. A mounting base for a window frame as described in claim 9, wherein when the male body is fully engaged with the transverse slot of the female body, and prior to insertion of a fastener in the female body, the female body cannot be pulled away from the window frame without deforming the opening in the exterior of the window frame prior to insertion of the fastener.