Window Mounting Assemblies

Abstract

A security window mounting frame assembly, system, and method of installing building security windows configured to control passage of a compression wave and temperature gradients around a security window pane.

Claims

1. A window support assembly comprising: a window support frame that is constructed to be disposed about at least a portion of perimeter of an impact resistant transparent window assembly, the window support frame includes a support portion that extends across at least a portion of a thickness of the impact resistant transparent window assembly and a flange that extends radially inboard from the support portion to overlie a portion of a radial edge of the impact resistant transparent window assembly; and a first opening and a second opening that are each formed through the support portion of the window support frame and which each provide a respective passage through the window support frame at respective locations that are radially outboard of a footprint of the impact resistant transparent window assembly and wherein the first opening and the second opening are disposed about the impact resistant transparent window assembly and vertically offset from one another.

2. The window support assembly of claim 1 further comprising additional openings formed through the support portion of the window support frame that are offset from the first opening and the second opening.

3. The window support assembly of claim 2 wherein the additional openings are no nearer than 4 inches from a respective end of an adjacent one of the first opening and second opening.

4. The window support assembly of claim 1 wherein the support portion of the window support frame has a rectilinear cross-sectional shape.

5. The window support assembly of claim 4 wherein the window support frame includes a mount plate that is attached to the support portion of the window support frame and extends beyond the window support frame in a crossing direction relative to a plane defined by the flange.

6. The window support assembly of claim 5 further comprising at least one support post secured to the mount plate and configured to traverse a window jamb and cooperate with a fastener for securing the window support assembly to a building structural feature that defines at least a portion of a shape of a window opening.

7. The window support assembly of claim 6 wherein the at least one support post is further defined as a plurality of support posts that are dispersed about at least a bottom portion of the window opening.

8. A security window assembly comprising: a frame constructed to extend along at least a portion of an opening defined by a building structure, the frame having a riser that is oriented to be disposed in a plane of a security window and located radially outboard of the security window, a reinforcement flange that extends along a portion of at least one side of the security window, and a mounting flange that extends in a lateral direction from the riser and is constructed to secure the frame to the building structure; a first opening formed through the riser that defines a passage that fluidly connects opposing sides of the security window at a location radially outboard of a perimeter of the security window; and a second opening formed through the riser that defines another passage that fluidly connects opposing sides of the security window at a location radially outboard of the perimeter of the security window and which is vertically offset from the passage defined by the first opening.

9. The security window assembly of claim 8 further comprising a cut out formed through the reinforcement flange and that is aligned with a respective one of the first opening and the second opening formed in the riser.

10. The security window assembly of claim 8 further comprising a plurality of first openings and a plurality of second openings that are offset from one another about the perimeter of the security window.

11. The security window assembly of claim 10 wherein each of the plurality of first openings and each of the plurality of second openings are at least 3 inches from an adjacent respective one of the plurality of first openings and the plurality of second openings.

12. The security window assembly of claim 11 wherein each of the plurality of first openings and each of the plurality of second openings are no greater than 10 inches from an adjacent respective on of the plurality of first openings and the plurality of second openings.

13. The security window assembly of claim 11 wherein the plurality of first openings and the plurality of second openings account for approximately 20% of a linear distance of the frame.

14. The security window assembly of claim 8 further comprising a security window having a laminate construction and that extends continuously across an opening that is bounded by the frame.

15. The security window assembly of claim 8 further comprising at least one support post that extends between the mounting flange and the building structure.

16. The security window assembly of claim 15 wherein the at least one support post passes through a sill of an adjacent window frame.

17. A method of forming a security window assembly, the method comprising: providing a laminated window pane assembly shaped to overlie a building window opening; providing a frame assembly that is constructed to cooperate with the laminated window pane assembly and is constructed to define a riser that extends between the laminated window pane assembly of the building window opening; and forming a first opening and a second opening through the riser such that each of the first opening and second opening extend to opposing sides of the laminated window pane assembly and the first opening is located nearer a bottom of the laminated window pane assembly that the second opening and the second opening is located nearer a top of the laminated window pane assembly than the first opening.

18. The method of claim 17 wherein forming the first opening and the second opening is further defined as forming a plurality of first openings and a plurality of second openings that are distributed about a circumference of the laminated window pane assembly.

19. The method of claim 18 wherein each of the plurality of first openings and each of the plurality of second openings are between 2 inches and 10 inches away from a nearest adjacent respective one of the plurality of first openings and the plurality of second openings.

20. The method of claim 17 further comprising extending a reinforcement flange from the riser in a direction toward the laminated window pane and extending a mounting flange from the riser in a crossing direction relative to the reinforcement flange.

21. The method of claim 20 further comprising extending at least one support post through the mounting flange and into engagement with structure surrounding the building window opening.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0012] A clear conception of the advantages and features constituting the present invention will become more readily apparent by referring to the exemplary, and therefore non-limiting, embodiments illustrated in the drawings accompanying and forming a part of this specification, wherein like reference numerals designate the same elements in the several views.

[0013] In the drawings:

[0014] FIG. 1 is a cross section view of a building window assembly equipped with a penetration resistant window and penetration resistant window support or frame assembly mounted to a building opening in accordance with the present invention;

[0015] FIG. 2 is a perspective view the penetration resistance window frame assembly shown in FIG. 1 with the penetration resistance transparent window assembly removed therefrom;

[0016] FIG. 3 is an elevational view of a penetration resistant window and window frame assembly secured across an opening defined by a building structure; and

[0017] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a building equipped with multiple window assemblies that exhibit limited penetration resistance.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0018] The present invention and the various features and advantageous details thereof are explained more fully with reference to the non-limiting embodiments described in detail in the following description.

[0019] FIG. 1 shows a cross section of a portion of a window and window frame assembly 100 according to the present invention and that is disposed to overlie a less impact or lateral or temperature load tolerant window or storm window assembly such as window assemblies 400, . . . , x disclosed above. Window assembly 100 includes an impact or projectile penetration resistant transparent panel, pane, panel assembly, or pane assembly 102 that defines a first lateral side 104 and the second lateral side 106 thereof of the penetration resistant window assembly 100. Transparent penetration resistant window assembly 102 is preferably constructed in accordance with the disclosure of Applicant's issued U.S. Pat. No. 10,539,399, filed on Nov. 28, 2017, titled “Projectile Penetration Resistance Assemblies” or Applicants currently pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 17/360,248, filed on Jun. 28, 2021, and titled “Window Assemblies” and the disclosures of which are both incorporated herein. As disclosed therein, impact resistant transparent pane assembly 102 preferably has a laminate construction and is constructed to withstand high velocity projectile impacts, such as bullets or the like, as well as objects or particles accelerated by other means such as explosive devices or improvised explosive devices (IED's) or the like. Although the transparency of the discrete panes may be diminished or blemished when subjected to high energy impacts that are common to storm events, pane 102 is constructed to maintain a degree of integrity sufficient to maintain near continuous segregation between the environments intended to be separated by panes 102. That is, even though discrete layers of pane 102 may be damaged or fractured during an impact event, the laminate construction of pane 102 allows pane 102 to maintain a degree of continuity that mitigates passage of projectiles across the plane defined by a footprint of pane 102.

[0020] Window assembly 100 includes a window frame assembly 110 that is constructed to support the transparent projectile penetration resistant pane 102 of window assembly 100 and prevent the translation of pane 102 relative to its fixed position associated with weather resistant panes 402, . . . , X. Window frame assembly 110 includes a support, a support portion, or a riser 112; a reinforcement, flange, or reinforcement flange 114; and a mount or mount plate 116 that are secured to one another. Preferably, riser 112 flange 114, and mount plate 116 are each constructed of steel materials. It is appreciated that riser 112, flange 114, and mount plate 116 could be constructed in an integral or continuous manner or formed of a plurality of more readily commercially available dimensional steel materials that are welded to one another or otherwise fabricated so as to define a desired cross section of frame assembly 110 specific to a given application and/or discrete size defined by a building opening intended to overlay or be obstructed by window assembly 102. That is, it is appreciated that riser 112 could be provided as square or rectilinear steel tube stock and flange 114 and mount plate 116 could be provided as dimensional steel flat stock and/or as a unitary structure in the form of angle steel stock.

[0021] Regardless of the manufacturing methodology employed, flange 114 is constructed to extend in an inward radial direction, indicated by arrow 118, relative to the geometric plane defined by transparent panel or pane 102 so as to radially overlap at least a portion of a radial edge 120 or perimeter of transparent impact resistant pane 102. Although flange 114 is shown as extending along one 106 of the respective lateral sides 104, 106 of pane 102 associated with the secondary side associated with a respective direction of impact, it is appreciated that flange 114 could be provided in a generally U-shaped construction so as to extend along both of the opposing sides 104, 106 in a generally mirror configuration. Mount plate 116 extends in a lateral direction, indicated by arrow 122, relative to the plane defined by transparent panel 102 and generally normal to direction 118 of flange 114. As disclosed further below with respect to FIG. 2, mount assembly 110 includes one or more optional posts or support posts 124 that extend in an outward radial direction from mount plate 116 relative to pane 102 and to an adjacent building structure 128 such as a building sill, a header structure, or a jamb structure associated with defining the opening shaped to receive window assembly 100.

[0022] One or more fasteners 130 cooperate with mount plate 116, and pass through optional support posts 124 when employed, and securely engage adjacent building structure 128 so as to secure frame assembly 110 relative thereto. Less impact tolerant window assemblies 402, . . . , X are commonly secured to building structures 128 via extruded aluminum assemblies 134 or the like and commonly have one or more gaskets or similar weatherproofing materials 138, such as caulk or the like, associated with providing the weatherproofing seal associated with window assemblies 402, . . . , X relative to the adjacent building structures 128. Optional support posts 124 are constructed to provide both compression and shear load bearing engagement between building structures 128 and mount plate 116 when the aluminum extruded frame members 134 extend across an area associated with securing frame assembly 110 relative to building structures 128.

[0023] It should be appreciated that when the extruded aluminum window frame assemblies 134 associated with window assemblies 402, . . . , X are sufficiently narrow or laterally thin enough to allow mounting assembly 100 to directly engage the adjoining building structures 128, support posts 124 can be omitted such that mount plate 116 can be secured directly to building structures 128 via one or more fasteners 130 dispersed about the perimeter of frame assembly 110. When transparent penetration resistant panel 102 is engaged with frame assembly 110, and secured proximate less penetration resistant window assemblies 402, . . . , X, a space or gap 140 is maintained between the respective opposite facing surfaces 106, 142 of the adjacent penetration resistant transparent panel 102 and respective less penetration resistant window assembly 402, . . . , X.

[0024] Referring to FIGS. 2 and 3, riser 112 includes one or more gaps or cutouts 152, 154 that are disposed intermittently about the respective frame assemblies 110 that extend about a circumference of a respective transparent projectile resistant panel assembly 102 associated with a respective building window opening. Although flanges 114 are shown as having a corresponding cutout or openings 156, 158 that are generally aligned with respective cutouts 152, 154 associated with riser 112, it is appreciated that flanges 114 may be provided in a continuous manner between the opposing ends of the discrete window frame assemblies 110 disposed about a perimeter of a discrete impact resistant transparent panel assembly 102.

[0025] Cutouts 152, 154 associated with riser 112 define respective passages 160, 162 that extend laterally through mount assembly 110 or in a crossing direction relative to the geometric plane defined by transparent panel 102. That is, a radially inward directed surface 164 of the discrete portions of riser 112 are constructed and oriented to engage the radial edge 120 of projection resistant transparent panel 102 and are periodically interrupted by the discrete cutouts 152, 154. Fasteners 130 cooperate with respective openings 166 defined by mount plate 116 and cooperate with an opening 168 associated with discrete optional support posts 124, when employed, and directly engage structure 128. It should be appreciated that fasteners 130 could be provided in numerous modalities and/or constructions so as to pass at least partially through and/or be seated within riser 112 and or mount plate 116.

[0026] As shown in FIG. 2, although other locations are envisioned, discrete fasteners 130 are preferably oriented to be aligned with cutouts 152, 154 so as to facilitate the more convenient installation and user interaction during placement of frame 110 during mounting thereof. Referring to FIGS. 2 and 3, a plurality of mounting assemblies 110 are disposed radially about the perimeter of transparent penetration resistant pane 102 and secured thereto such that riser 164 and reinforcement flange 114 of each mounting assembly 110 plane out along the respective outward radial perimeter of penetration resistant transparent panel 102 and a respective lateral side 104, 106 thereof, respectively, when the pane 102 is associated therewith. When disposed in a vertical orientation, it should be appreciated that openings 152, 154 are disposed at discrete elevations relative to the vertical length associated with penetration resistant panel 102. Said another way, the discrete openings or cutouts 152, 154, when vertically oriented, are vertically offset from one another. It should be further appreciated that a respective amounting assembly 110 secured to a sill associated with building structure 128 and having one or more cutouts 152, 154, provides at least one cutout 152, 154 that is disposed lower than one or more cutouts 152, 154 associated with another mounting assembly 110 that is disposed along a respective side of the penetration resistant transparent panel 102 and/or respective cutouts 152, 154 associated with a top edge or head mounting portion associated with panel 102.

[0027] Cutouts 152, 154 associated with the plurality of mounting assemblies 110 disposed about the perimeter of pane 102 are preferably disposed in a spaced relationship relative to one another about the radial perimeter thereof. Adjacent openings or cutouts 152, 154 are preferably no nearer than approximately 4 inches apart from one another, and are preferably, as indicated by dimension 170, approximately 10 inches from one another. Preferably, cutouts 152, 154 are no greater than 10 inches from the adjacent facing edges of one another and have a running length of approximately 2 to 4 inches, as indicated by dimensions 172, 174. It is appreciated that discrete cutouts 152, 154 could be provided at alternate or different dimensions than those provided above and relative to others of the plurality of surrounding cutouts 152, 154.

[0028] In a preferred aspect, approximately 20% of the linear distance associated with the perimeter circumference of penetration resistant transparent pane 102 is defined by the sum of distances 172, 174 associated with the cutouts 152, 154 disposed about the perimeter of pane 102. The spacing and radial distribution of cutouts 152, 154 about the radially directed outward edge of panel 102 allows a portion of any compressive and thermal energy directed toward pane 102 to pass therearound via frame assembly 110 in a controlled manner and operate to reduce a difference between the pressures and thermal loadings associated with the opposing sides 104, 106 of panel 102 during an explosive or fire event. Such considerations mitigate degradation or destruction of pane 102 due to disparate temperature and pressure differences between the discrete opposing lateral sides of pane 102 thereby improving the ability of pane 102 and the corresponding frame assembly 110 to withstand greater non-point loaded penetration failures.

[0029] In order to secure a building envelope or a discrete portion thereof, a laminated security window pane assembly that is shaped to overlie a building window opening is provided. A frame assembly is constructed to cooperate with the laminated security window pane assembly and is constructed to define a riser that extends in a radial direction between the laminated window pane assembly and the opening defined by the building structure. A first opening and a second opening are formed through the riser such that each of the first opening and second opening extend unobstructed to opposing sides of the laminated window pane assembly such that, when secured relative to the building opening, the first opening is located nearer a bottom of the laminated window pane assembly than the second opening and the second opening is located nearer a top of the laminated window pane assembly than the first opening to facilitate thermal venting of the cavity 140 between the respective weather window structure 402, . . . , X and the adjacent security window assembly 100. Securing a plurality of security window assemblies 100 over the window openings defined by the building and to the structure of the building, provides a robust secure building envelope.

[0030] Therefore, one embodiment of the present invention includes a window support assembly having a window support frame that is constructed to be disposed about at least a portion of perimeter of an impact resistant transparent window assembly. The window support frame includes a support portion that extends across at least a portion of a thickness of the impact resistant transparent window assembly and a flange that extends radially inboard from the support portion to overlie a portion of a radial edge of the impact resistant transparent window assembly. A first opening and a second opening are formed through the support portion of the window support frame and each provide a respective passage through the window support frame at respective locations that are radially outboard of a footprint of the impact resistant transparent window assembly and wherein the first opening and the second opening are disposed about the impact resistant transparent window assembly and vertically offset from one another.

[0031] Another embodiment of the invention that includes various features, aspects, and objects that are useable or combinable with the above embodiments includes a security window assembly having a frame that is constructed to extend along at least a portion of an opening defined by a building structure. The frame includes a riser that is oriented to be disposed in a plane of a security window and located radially outboard of the security window. A reinforcement flange extends along a portion of at least one side of the security window and a mounting flange extends in a lateral direction from the riser and is constructed to secure the frame to the building structure. A first opening is formed through the riser and defines a passage that fluidly connects opposing sides of the security window at a location radially outboard of a perimeter of the security window and a second opening is formed through the riser that defines another passage that fluidly connects opposing sides of the security window at a location radially outboard of the perimeter of the security window and which is vertically offset from the passage defined by the first opening.

[0032] A further embodiment of the invention that is usable or combinable with one or more of the features, aspects, or objects of the above embodiments includes a method of forming a security window assembly. A laminated window pane assembly is provided that is shaped to overlie a building window opening. A frame assembly that is constructed to cooperate with the laminated window pane assembly is provided and is constructed to define a riser that extends between the laminated window pane assembly of the building window opening. A first opening and a second opening are formed through the riser such that each of the first opening and second opening extend to opposing sides of the laminated window pane assembly and the first opening is located nearer a bottom of the laminated window pane assembly than the second opening and the second opening is located nearer a top of the laminated window pane assembly than the first opening.

[0033] It should be understood that the above description, while indicating representative embodiments of the present invention, is given by way of illustration and not of limitation. Many changes and modifications may be made within the scope of the present invention without departing from the spirit thereof, and the invention includes all such modifications. Various additions, modifications, and rearrangements are contemplated as being within the scope of the following claims, which particularly point out and distinctly claim the subject matter regarding as the invention, and it is intended that the following claims cover all such additions, modifications, and rearrangements.