Uplift Prevention Device

Abstract

It is the object of the present invention to provide a sliding frame-mounted window uplift prevention device with improved structural integrity and strength, improved ease of installation and removal through elimination of mechanical fasteners such as screws, rivets, and the like, and compatibility with a wider variety of frame designs than existing devices.

Claims

1. A window uplift prevention device comprising: an interference tab disposed horizontally and adapted to abut an upper edge surface of a slidable window frame, said interference tab being adapted to occupy at least 3/32 inch of a vertical clearance above said upper surface of said slidable window frame, a mounting tab extending downward at a right angle from said interference tab, adapted to abut a vertical edge surface of said slidable window frame adjacent to said upper surface, said mounting tab having a mounting surface adapted to accept an adhesive media, said adhesive media being adapted to adhere said mounting surface to said vertical edge surface of said slidable window frame.

2. The window uplift prevention device of claim 1 wherein the interference tab and the mounting tab are integrally formed as a continuous solid body.

3. The window uplift prevention device of claim 2 wherein said continuous solid body is formed from a plastic material.

4. The window uplift prevention device of claim 3 wherein said adhesive media is a double-sided adhesive tape.

5. The window uplift prevention device of claim 4 wherein said double-sided adhesive tape is a double-sided foam mounting tape.

6. The window uplift prevention device of claim 4 wherein said double-sided adhesive tape is a double-sided acrylic tape.

7. The window uplift prevention device of claim 5 wherein said interference tab has a thickness between inch and 5/16 inch.

8. A window assembly comprising: a slidable window frame located within a guide track of a fixed window frame having a vertical clearance between said upper edge of the slidable frame and said fixed window frame, said clearance being adapted to allow a vertical displacement of said slidable window frame sufficient to unseat said slidable window frame from said guide track, an interference tab, located within said vertical clearance and having sufficient thickness and material integrity to interfere with said vertical displacement sufficiently to render unseatment of said slidable window frame from said guide track impossible, said slidable window frame having a vertical edge extending downward from said upper edge, said interference tab being positioned at an upper corner of said slidable window frame, a mounting tab attached at a right angle to said interference tab and extending downward along said vertical edge, and an adhesive applied to said mounting tab such that the mounting tab adheres to said vertical edge.

9. The window assembly of claim 8 wherein said interference tab and said mounting tab are integrally formed as a continuous solid body.

10. The window assembly of claim 9 wherein said continuous solid body is comprised of a plastic material.

11. The window assembly of claim 10 wherein said adhesive media is a double-sided adhesive tape.

12. The window assembly of claim 11 wherein said double-sided adhesive tape is a double-sided foam mounting tape.

13. The window assembly of claim 11 wherein said double-sided adhesive tape is a double-sided acrylic tape.

14. The window assembly of claim 12 wherein said interference tab has a thickness between inch and 5/16 inch.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0012] FIG. 1 Shows an isometric view of the window uplift prevention device.

[0013] FIG. 2 Shows a front and side view of the window uplift prevention device.

[0014] FIG. 3 Shows a view of the uplift prevention device as installed in a sliding window frame.

[0015] FIG. 4 Shows a view of the window uplift prevention device as installed on a sliding frame that is housed within its surrounding fixed frame with hidden lines shown.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0016] In the Summary above, this Detailed Description, claims below, and accompanying drawings, reference is made to particular features of the invention. It is to be understood that the disclosure of the invention in this specification includes all possible combinations of such particular features. For example, where a particular feature is disclosed in the context of a particular aspect or embodiment of the invention, or a particular claim, that feature can also be usedto the extent possiblein combination with and/or in the context of other particular aspects and embodiments of the invention, and in the invention generally

[0017] The term comprises and grammatical equivalents thereof are used herein to mean that other components, ingredients, steps, etc. are optionally present. For example, an article comprising (or which comprises) components A, B, and C can consist of (i.e., contain only) components A, B, and C, or can contain not only components A, B, and C but also contain one or more other components.

[0018] Where reference is made herein to a method comprising two or more defined steps, the defined steps can be carried out in any order or simultaneously (except where the context excludes that possibility), and the method can include one or more other steps which are carried out before any of the defined steps, between two of the defined steps, or after all the defined steps (except where the context excludes that possibility).

[0019] The term at least followed by a number is used herein to denote the start of a range including that number (which may be a range having an upper limit or no upper limit, depending on the variable being defined). For example, at least 1 means 1 or more than 1. The term at most followed by a number is used herein to denote the end of a range, including that number (which may be a range having 1 or 0 as its lower limit, or a range having no lower limit, depending upon the variable being defined). For example, at most 4 means 4 or less than 4, and at most 40% means 40% or less than 40%. When, in this specification, a range is given as (a first number) to (a second number) or (a first number)-(a second number), this means a range whose limits include both numbers. For example, 25 to 100 means a range whose lower limit is 25 and upper limit is 100, and includes both 25 and 100.

[0020] FIG. 1 shows an isometric view of the present invention, an uplift prevention device 100. The device is comprised of an interference tab 110 and a mounting tab 120, joined at a right angle. The mounting tab incorporates a mounting surface 130.

[0021] FIG. 2 shows a front and side view of the window uplift prevention device.

[0022] FIG. 3 shows a view of the uplift prevention device as installed on a sliding window frame.

[0023] FIG. 4 shows a view of the window uplift prevention device as installed on a sliding frame that is housed within its surrounding fixed frame with hidden lines shown. The device operates by creating a structural element that exists in the vertical space 150 between the upper edge of the sliding frame 160 that surrounds the windowpane, and the adjacent edge of the surrounding fixed frame 170. The interference tab 110 serves to physically occupy a portion of the space 150 and has structural integrity sufficient to resist compressive forces typically encountered during a window removal procedure. The mounting tab 120, serves to provide a mounting surface 130 abutting the vertical edge of a sliding window frame 140. The mounting surface 130 serves to attach the uplift prevention device 100 using adhesive tape, gum, or liquid 180 to bond the mounting surface to the vertical edge of the sliding window frame 190. The mounting tab 120 and adhesive bond are sufficiently strong to resist nominal forces that are experienced during window opening and closing. When the device 100 is properly installed, the mounting tab 120 will not be subject to significant forces. The mounting tab 120 should not be required to resist uplift forces if window uplift is attempted. Therefore, structural demands on the tab 120 and the adhesive 180 bond to the window frame 190 are minimal.

[0024] In the preferred embodiment, the adhesive bond is strong enough to keep the uplift prevention device in position during normal operation of the sliding window, but weak enough to allow a user to readily break the bond if window removal is desired. The device may be reinstalled when desired by either reusing existing adhesive or by applying new adhesive to reattach the device to the sliding window frame.

[0025] The device is preferably made from solid plastic. Alternative embodiments of the device may be made from metal, ceramic, wood, composite, or any other material of sufficient structural integrity to support and resist forces encountered during normal operation. The device may be solid or hollow. The device may be monolithic or comprised of multiple pieces that are mechanically joined.

Preferred Method of Use

[0026] In the preferred method of use, the uplift prevention device is installed as shown in FIG. 5 using double-sided adhesive tape.

[0027] While preferred and alternate embodiments have been illustrated and described, as noted above, many changes can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of this UPLIFT PREVENTION DEVICE. Accordingly, the scope of the UPLIFT PREVENTION DEVICE is not limited by the disclosure of these preferred and alternate embodiments. Instead, the scope of the UPLIFT PREVENTION DEVICE is to be determined entirely by reference to the claims. Insofar as the description above and the accompanying drawings (if any) disclose any additional subject matter that is not within the scope of the claims below, the inventions are not dedicated to the public and Applicant hereby reserves the right to file one or more applications to claim such additional inventions.

[0028] The reader's attention is directed to all papers and documents which are filed concurrently with this specification and which are open to public inspection with this specification, and the contents of all such papers and documents are incorporated herein by reference.

[0029] All the features disclosed in this specification (including any accompanying claims, abstract, and drawings) may be replaced by alternative features serving the same, equivalent or similar purpose, unless expressly stated otherwise. Thus, unless expressly stated otherwise, each feature disclosed is one example of a generic series of equivalent or similar features.

[0030] Any element in a claim that does not explicitly state means for performing a specified function, or step for performing a specific function is not to be interpreted as a means or step clause as specified in 35. U.S.C. 112 6. In particular, the use of step of in the claims herein is not intended to invoke the provisions of U.S.C. 112 6.