Window frame with hidden weep
View Patent ↗One embodiment of the invention relates to an apparatus for a window frame. The apparatus includes a window frame having a lower frame portion; a window glazing supported by the lower frame portion; a glazing bead; and at least two connectors operatively connecting the glazing bead to the lower frame. The connectors are spaced apart defining a fluid pathway allowing fluid to escape from the lower frame.
1. An apparatus for a window frame, comprising:
a window frame having a lower frame portion;
a window glazing supported by the lower frame portion;
a glazing bead; and
at least two separate connectors operatively connecting the glazing bead to the lower frame along a linear axis being parallel to a plane defined by the window glazing;
wherein the connectors are spaced apart from one another along the linear axis defining a fluid pathway between the spaced connectors allowing fluid to escape from the lower frame.
2. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein a first volume is defined by the window glazing, the lower frame, and the glazing bead.
3. The apparatus of claim 2 , wherein a second volume is defined by the lower frame and the glazing bead.
4. The apparatus of claim 3 , wherein the connectors are provided between the first volume and the second volume.
5. An apparatus for a window frame, comprising:
a window frame having a lower frame portion;
a window glazing supported by the lower frame portion;
a glazing bead; and
at least two separate connectors operatively connecting the glazing bead to the lower frame, the connectors being spaced apart defining a fluid pathway allowing fluid to escape from the lower frame, a first volume being defined by the window glazing, the lower frame, and the glazing bead and a second volume being defined by the lower frame and the glazing bead, the connectors are provided between the first volume and the second volume;
wherein the fluid pathway operatively connects the first volume in fluid communication with the second volume, permitting fluid to flow from the first volume to the second volume.
6. The apparatus of claim 5 , wherein the second volume is in fluid communication with the exterior through a gap is formed between the lower edge of the glazing bead and the lower frame.
7. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the lower frame includes a third hollow region located below the first volume and second volume, the fluid pathway being external to the third hollow region.
8. A window apparatus, comprising:
a window frame having a lower frame portion;
a window glazing operatively supported by the lower frame portion, a first volume defined between a bottom edge of the window glazing and the lower frame portion;
a glazing bead having an exterior surface, an opposing interior surface and a lower edge; and
at least two separate spaced apart connectors operatively connecting the glazing bead to the lower frame portion, each connector extending substantially horizontally and having a first end removably received within a groove extending into the interior surface of the glazing bead and a second end being removably received within a groove in the lower frame portion;
the first volume is in fluid communication with the exterior of the window through a fluid pathway defined by a space between the connectors and a gap between the lower edge of the glazing bead and the lower frame portion.
9. The apparatus of claim 8 , wherein a first volume is defined by the window glazing, the lower frame, and the glazing bead.
10. The apparatus of claim 9 , wherein a second volume is defined by the lower frame and the glazing bead.
11. The apparatus of claim 10 , wherein connectors are provided between the first volume and the second volume.
12. The apparatus of claim 11 , wherein the connectors are oriented horizontally.
13. The apparatus of claim 11 , wherein the fluid pathway operatively connects the first volume in fluid communication with the second volume, permitting fluid to flow from the first volume to the second volume.
14. The apparatus of claim 13 , wherein the second volume is in fluid communication with the exterior through a gap is formed between the lower edge of the glazing bead and the lower frame.
15. The apparatus of claim 14 , wherein the lower frame includes a third hollow region located below the first volume and second volume, the fluid pathway being external to the third hollow region.
16. A window, comprising:
a window frame having a lower frame portion;
a window glazing operatively by the lower frame portion, a first volume defined between a bottom edge of the window glazing and the lower frame portion;
a glazing bead having an exterior surface, an opposing interior surface and a lower edge; and
the window frame having a second volume defined by an upper wall, a first side wall and a second side wall, the second volume not in fluid communication with the first volume, the first side wall having a shelf portion extending outwardly below the lower surface of the glazing bead;
the first volume being in fluid communication with the exterior of the window through a fluid pathway defined by a gap between the lower edge of the glazing bead and the outwardly extending portion of the first side wall of the lower frame portion.
17. The apparatus of claim 16 further including at least two separate spaced apart connectors operatively connecting the glazing bead to the lower frame portion, each connector extending substantially horizontally and having a first end removably received within a groove extending into the interior surface of the glazing bead and a second end being removably received within a groove in the lower frame portion.
18. The apparatus of claim 16 , wherein the first side wall includes a first substantially vertical side wall portion extending between and connecting the upper wall and shelf portion, a third volume is defined by the first substantially vertical side wall portion, glazing bead and shelf portion, the third volume being in fluid communication with the first volume and hermetically sealed from the second volume.
19. The apparatus of claim 18 further including a first connector removably securing the glazing bead to the lower frame portion.
20. The apparatus of claim 19 , further including at least a second connector spaced apart from the first connector and operatively connecting the glazing bead to the lower frame portion, each connector extending substantially horizontally and having a first end removably received within a groove extending into the interior surface of the glazing bead and a second end being removably received within a groove in the lower frame portion.