IP Library › Granted Patent US 10,273,744
Granted Patent B2
US 10,273,744 · App. 15/431,067 · Granted Apr 30, 2019

Universal strut for doors and window elements, apparatus, system, and a method thereof

Inventors: Maria E. Perez Lebron (Rio Blanco, PR); Candido Perez (Rio Blanco, PR)
Assignee: FENESTRATION TECHNOLOGIES, LLC.
E06B3/549E06B1/325E06B3/08E06B3/306E06B3/5878
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 10,273,744
App. No.
15/431,067
Granted
Apr 30, 2019
Kind
B2
Abstract

The present invention relates generally to a universal strut for doors and window elements. More particularly, the invention encompasses a universal strut that mates with a first formed member, and a second formed member, and which assembly is used as windows, doors, window frames, and door frames. The invention also provides a method of using the inventive universal strut for applications that require different widths and lengths for a production or customized window, door, window frame, or door frame. The universal strut can also be used as a thermal barrier between the first formed member, and the second formed member. Preferably, the universal strut is made from a non-metallic or thermal barrier material, while the first formed substrate, and the second formed substrate are preferably made from a metallic material. The universal strut allows for the formation of various configurations for the shapes of window and/or door elements.

Claims (31)

1. A window or door element, comprising:

(a) a universal strut, said universal strut comprising a first leg, a first partial leg, and a second partial leg, and wherein said first partial leg is connected to said first leg via at least one first connecting member to form a first external U-shaped channel, and a first internal U-shaped channel, and said second partial leg is connected to said first leg via at least one second connecting member to form a second external U-shaped channel, and a second internal U-shaped channel, and wherein said first partial leg, and said second partial leg are along a first side of said first leg, and, wherein said first internal U-shaped channel, and said second internal U-shaped channel form a multi-purpose C-shaped channel;

(b) a first formed member having a first male portion, and wherein at least a portion of said first male portion is secured inside at least a portion of said first external U-shaped channel;

(c) a second formed member having a second male portion, and wherein at least a portion of said second male portion is secured inside at least a portion of said second external U-shaped channel; and

(d) wherein said universal strut, said first formed member, and said second formed member form a frame for said window or door element.

2. The window or door element of claim 1 , wherein at least one glazing bead is secured to said frame.

3. The window or door element of claim 1 , wherein at least one sealant is secured to said frame.

4. The window or door element of claim 1 , wherein at least one glazing tape is secured to said frame.

5. The window or door element of claim 1 , wherein said window or door element has at least one securing means, and wherein said at least one securing means is selected from a group consisting of an adhesive, a glue, an epoxy, a bonding agent, and combinations thereof.

6. The window or door element of claim 1 , wherein material for said universal strut is selected from a group consisting of aluminum, bronze, vinyl, pultrusion, plastic, polyamide, wood, steel, stainless steel, fiberglass, ceramic, composite material, and combination thereof.

7. The window or door element of claim 1 , wherein material for said first formed member and said second formed member is selected from a group consisting of aluminum, bronze, vinyl, pultrusion, plastic, polyamide, wood, steel, stainless steel, composite material, and combinations thereof.

8. The window or door element of claim 1 , wherein said universal strut is made from a thermal barrier material, and wherein said first formed member and said second formed member are made from a metallic material.

9. A window or door element, comprising:

(a) a universal strut, said universal strut comprising a first leg, a first partial leg, and a second partial leg, and wherein said first partial leg is connected to said first leg via at least one first connecting member to form a first external U-shaped channel, and a first internal U-shaped channel, and said second partial leg is connected to said first leg via at least one second connecting member to form a second external U-shaped channel, and a second internal U-shaped channel, and wherein said first partial leg, and said second partial leg are along a first side of said first leg, and, wherein said first internal U-shaped channel, and said second internal U-shaped channel form a multi-purpose C-shaped channel;

(b) a first formed member having a first male portion, and wherein at least a portion of said first male portion is secured inside at least a portion of said first external U-shaped channel;

(c) a second formed member having a second male portion, and wherein at least a portion of said second male portion is secured inside at least a portion of said second external U-shaped channel;

(d) said universal strut, said first formed member, and said second formed member form a frame for said window or door element;

(e) at least one glass pane secured inside said frame;

(f) wherein material for said universal strut is selected from a group consisting of aluminum, bronze, vinyl, pultrusion, plastic, polyamide, wood, steel, stainless steel, fiberglass, ceramic, composite material, and combination thereof; and

(g) wherein material for said first formed member and said second formed member is selected from a group consisting of aluminum, bronze, vinyl, pultrusion, plastic, polyamide, wood, steel, stainless steel, composite material, and combinations thereof.

10. The window or door element of claim 9 , wherein at least one glazing bead is secured to said frame.

11. The window or door element of claim 9 , wherein at least one sealant is secured to said frame.

12. The window or door element of claim 9 , wherein at least one glazing tape is secured to said frame.

13. The window or door element of claim 9 , wherein said window or door element has at least one securing means, and wherein said at least one securing means is selected from a group consisting of an adhesive, a glue, an epoxy, a bonding agent, and combinations thereof.

14. The window or door element of claim 9 , wherein said universal strut is made from a thermal barrier material, and wherein said first formed member and said second formed member are made from a metallic material.

15. The window or door element of claim 9 , wherein one of said first male portion and said second male portion has an external surface, and wherein said external surface is selected from a group consisting of a flat surface, a planar surface, an undulated surface, a rough surface, a ridged surface, a jagged surface, and combinations thereof.

16. The window or door element of claim 9 , wherein one of said first external U-shaped channel and said second external U-shaped channel has an inner wall surface, and wherein said inner wall surface is selected from a group consisting of a substantially flat surface, a planar surface, a surface having at least one pocket, a surface having undulation, a surface having at least one groove, a surface having striation, a surface having ridges, a surface having mini-pockets, and combinations thereof.

17. The window or door element of claim 9 , wherein at least one locking mechanism has a T-shaped member having a first locking leg, and a second locking leg, and wherein said first locking leg slideably engages inside said first internal U-shaped channel, and wherein said second locking leg slideably engages inside said second internal U-shaped channel.

18. The window or door element of claim 1 , wherein one of said first male portion and said second male portion has an external surface, and wherein said external surface is selected from a group consisting of a flat surface, a planar surface, an undulated surface, a rough surface, a ridged surface, a jagged surface, and combinations thereof.

19. The window or door element of claim 1 , wherein one of said first external U-shaped channel and said second external U-shaped channel has an inner wall surface, and wherein said inner wall surface is selected from a group consisting of a substantially flat surface, a planar surface, a surface having at least one pocket, a surface having undulation, a surface having at least one groove, a surface having striation, a surface having ridges, a surface having mini-pockets, and combinations thereof.

20. The window or door element of claim 1 , wherein at least one locking mechanism has a T-shaped member having a first locking leg, and a second locking leg, and wherein said first locking leg slideably engages inside said first internal U-shaped channel, and wherein said second locking leg slideably engages inside said second internal U-shaped channel.

Continuity (2)
Provisional Application 62294653 · Feb 12, 2016
Related Publication 20170234058A1 · Aug 17, 2017