Window Grille Attachment System with Concealed Clips

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing window and door grille attachment systems fail to seamlessly integrate decorative grilles without visible attachment components, are difficult to remove for cleaning, and can mar or scratch surfaces, lacking versatility and aesthetic appeal.

Innovation Solution

A detachable grille system with spring-biased plungers or articulating clip fingers that snap into a chamfered sash frame, allowing easy installation and removal without visible clips or grommets, ensuring secure attachment and protection of finishes.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If grommets are inserted into the sash frame to hold grille components, then the grille can be securely attached, but visible grommets remain on the sash which are considered unsightly and the system lacks versatility

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvegrille attachment securityVSAvoidaesthetic appearance and versatility

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The attachment mechanism (clips) is extracted from visible locations and concealed within the grille structure itself, allowing secure attachment without visible components on the sash frame

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The clips are nested within the grille component structure, with recesses that receive and conceal the attachment mechanism, hiding it from external view while maintaining functional integrity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

2Reliability

If metal clips are forced between the sash lineals and glazing unit to hold the grille, then the grille is securely attached, but the clips may mar or scratch the sash surface

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvegrille attachment securityVSAvoidsash surface damage

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

A plunger acts as an intermediary between the clip and the sash frame, providing a cushioning element that prevents direct metal-to-wood contact and eliminates surface marring

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The plunger is positioned in advance within the clip structure to cushion the contact point, preventing potential surface damage before it occurs during grille attachment

Inventive Principle:

Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

3Ease of manufacture

If the grille is permanently attached to the window sash, then it provides continuous aesthetic enhancement, but it cannot be removed for cleaning the underlying glazing unit

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaesthetic appearanceVSAvoidgrille removability for cleaning

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The attachment system transitions from static permanent attachment to dynamic reversible attachment, allowing the grille to be easily installed and removed as needed for cleaning while maintaining aesthetic appearance during use

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

4Ease of operation

If visible grooves are formed in the sash frame to hold grille plungers, then the grille can be attached, but the visible grooves are considered unsightly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvegrille attachment capabilityVSAvoidaesthetic appearance

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The attachment interface is extracted from the visible sash frame surface and relocated to the concealed grille structure, eliminating the need for visible grooves in the sash

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The attachment mechanism moves from a two-dimensional surface engagement (grooves in sash) to a three-dimensional concealed engagement within the grille structure, hiding the attachment interface

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The system provides a visually integrated, easily removable, and scratch-resistant grille attachment that maintains the appearance of traditional divided lights while allowing for effective cleaning and reuse of window sashes, addressing previous solutions' shortcomings.

Implementation Method 1

spring-biased plungers that snap into a chamfered sash frame

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectSpring bias: Spring

Implementation Method 2

articulating clip fingers that snap into a chamfered sash frame

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElastic deformation: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentUS8631619B2Window and door grille attachment system

Publication Date: 2014.01.21 ANDERSEN CORPORATION

AI summary

A grille attachment system is provided for releasably attaching a grille made of crisscrossing grille components to a window or door having a frame and a glazing unit. The attachment system includes grille clips on the ends of the grille components that are each movable between a first or inactive position and a second or active position in which they engage the frame of the window or door to hold the grille in place. Movement of the grille toward engagement with the glazing unit of the window or door causes the clips to move to their second positions, thereby engaging the frame and holding the grille in place. Pulling the grille away from the glazing unit causes the clips to move back to their first positions, thereby releasing the grille from the frame and the window or door.