Rotating Shimming Assembly for Fenestration Installation
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Solution Overview
Problem
The installation of fenestration units, such as windows and doors, is time-consuming and prone to damage due to the use of traditional shims, which require breaking and can result in dislocation and splintering during the installation process.
Innovation Solution
A shimming assembly with a base and slider that transitions between an active and stowed configuration, allowing for efficient insertion, centering, leveling, and sealing of fenestration units, eliminating the need to break off shims and providing a continuous seal and insulation around the perimeter.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If traditional shims are used for installation, then the fenestration unit can be installed in the rough opening, but the installation process becomes time-consuming and prone to damage during breaking off
Solution Approach 1:
The shim is designed as a dynamic component that can rotate between an active configuration (protruding outward for insertion and positioning) and a retracted configuration (flush with the fenestration unit edge for sealing). This dynamic transformation eliminates the need to break off shims while maintaining installation functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The shim assembly is segmented into a rotationally movable portion and a base portion, allowing the shim to be independently rotated between configurations. This segmentation enables the shim to serve its positioning function during installation and then be retracted to allow continuous sealing without damage.
2Reliability
If shims are broken off flush with the edge, then the sealing surface is exposed, but the breaking off process causes dislocation and splintering
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of breaking off the shim, the invention uses rotational dynamics to transition the shim from an active protruding state to a retracted state. This eliminates the harmful breaking off process entirely, preventing dislocation and splintering while still allowing the sealing surface to be accessed.
Solution Approach 2:
The problematic breaking off operation is completely removed from the installation process. The shim is extracted from its traditional broken-off state and replaced with a rotatable component that can be safely retracted, eliminating the source of damage while maintaining the sealing function.
3Ease of operation
If shims are placed around the perimeter, then the fenestration unit can be centered and leveled, but the shims interfere with placing the sealant and insulator continuously
Solution Approach 1:
The shim's rotational capability allows it to dynamically change its position. During centering and leveling, the shim protrudes to provide the necessary mechanical advantage. After positioning, it rotates to retract, clearing the path for continuous sealant and insulator application without interference.
Solution Approach 2:
The shim is rotated to its active protruding configuration before centering and leveling operations to provide the necessary positioning function. After these preliminary actions are complete, the shim is rotated to its retracted configuration, preliminarily clearing the path for the sealing operations.
Data Source
AI summary
A shimming assembly comprising a base that defines a raised contact surface and a pivot pin defining a rotation axis of the shimming assembly, the base including a base inclined surface, and a slider that is slidably coupled to the base such that the slider is slidable along the base inclined surface in response to a user-applied sliding force, the slider being coupled to the base such that the slider is rotatable about the rotation axis defined by the pivot pin in response to a user-applied torque to transition the shimming assembly from an active configuration to a stowed configuration.