Adjustable Frame Assembly with Sliding Splices for Fenestration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional frame assemblies for fenestration articles, such as screen cloths, are labor-intensive, time-consuming, and costly to assemble and install, often requiring precise measurements and custom ordering, which can lead to errors and increased costs due to the need for custom manufacturing and potential issues with rubber gaskets degrading over time.
Innovation Solution
An adjustable frame assembly with rail and stile members that include sections connected by adjustment splices, allowing for easy adjustment of width and height without tools, and the use of rail and stile clips to secure fenestration articles, along with an adhesive for secure installation, simplifying the assembly and installation process.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If conventional frame assemblies are custom-ordered from manufacturers, then manufacturing precision and fit are improved, but loss of time and productivity deteriorate due to several weeks of manufacturing and delivery time
Solution Approach 1:
The frame members are pre-assembled into modular units with integrated corners and joints before reaching the customer. This preliminary assembly action eliminates the need for on-site cutting and construction, reducing installation time while maintaining precision through factory-controlled manufacturing.
Solution Approach 2:
The frame assembly is divided into standardized modular segments (rail members, stile members, corner pieces) that can be manufactured independently and then quickly assembled. This segmentation allows parallel manufacturing of components, reducing overall production time while ensuring consistent quality through standardized processes.
2Productivity
If conventional frame assemblies are preassembled according to standard dimensions, then productivity is improved, but adaptability deteriorates as they cannot accommodate various door and window sizes
Solution Approach 1:
The frame members incorporate adjustable elements such as slotted mounting positions and extendable sections that allow the preassembled units to be dynamically adjusted to different dimensions. This enables a single preassembled unit design to adapt to multiple door and window sizes without requiring custom manufacturing for each size.
Solution Approach 2:
The standardized modular components are designed with universal connection mechanisms and adjustable features that allow the same basic assembly to serve multiple size requirements. A single corner piece design, for example, can accommodate various rail and stile member lengths through adjustable joint configurations.
3Adaptability or versatility
If rail and stile members are cut to size according to measured dimensions, then adaptability is improved, but device complexity and labor intensity increase due to cutting and construction requirements
Solution Approach 1:
All cutting, sizing, and joining operations are performed in advance during manufacturing to create complete modular units. The customer receives ready-to-install assemblies that require no cutting or complex construction, eliminating on-site complexity while maintaining the ability to fit custom dimensions through the modular design.
4Ease of operation
If rubber gaskets are used to secure fenestration articles, then ease of installation is improved, but reliability deteriorates over time as gaskets degrade and separate from the frame assembly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces metal clips as an intermediary mechanical fastening element that works in conjunction with the rubber gasket. The clips provide permanent structural retention by mechanically interlocking the fenestration article to the frame, while the gasket provides initial sealing and ease of installation. This dual-system approach maintains installation simplicity while ensuring long-term reliability through the durable metal clips.
Data Source
AI summary
A method of assembling an adjustable frame assembly for supporting a fenestration article includes the steps of sliding sections of each rail member along adjustment splices to adjust a width of the adjustable frame assembly and/or sliding sections of stile members along adjustment splices to adjust a height of the adjustable frame assembly. The fenestration article is disposed along a wall and at least partially within a groove of the rail member and stile member. A plurality of rail clips are inserted into the groove of each rail member to secure the fenestration article to each rail member. A plurality of stile clips are inserted into the groove of each stile member to secure the fenestration article to each stile member. The rail clips are disposed adjacent the stile clips to prevent adjustment of the width and/or height of the adjustable frame assembly resulting from compression forces.