Support Bracket for Window Installation Sheathing

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Solution Overview

Problem

The installation of closure assemblies, such as windows and doors, in rough structural openings is time-consuming and costly, particularly when the sheathing provides less structural support, disrupting thermal continuity and requiring additional materials.

Innovation Solution

The use of support brackets with a planar and vertical configuration, which include projections to penetrate and stabilize the sheathing, allowing for secure positioning and installation of closure assemblies without additional structural support, maintaining thermal continuity and reducing installation time and costs.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Stability of the object's composition

If additional structural support is provided for less structurally supportive sheathing during closure assembly installation, then the structural stability is improved, but the device complexity and installation time increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestructural stabilityVSAvoiddevice complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The support bracket is divided into distinct functional segments: a planar portion that contacts the sheathing surface, vertical portions that provide structural support, and projections that penetrate the sheathing for anchoring. This segmentation allows each part to perform its specific function efficiently while keeping the overall design simple and manageable.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of reinforcing the sheathing itself to provide structural support, the invention inverts the approach by introducing a support bracket that interfaces with the existing sheathing surface. The bracket transfers loads to the framed opening rather than requiring the sheathing to bear the structural load, simplifying both the sheathing requirements and the support mechanism.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

2Stability of the object's composition

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestructural stabilityVSAvoidinstallation time

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The support bracket is designed to be pre-positioned on the sheathing surface before the closure assembly is installed. The projections are already configured to penetrate the sheathing and engage with the framed opening, allowing the closure assembly to be directly mounted onto the bracket without additional support structures or time-consuming reinforcement steps.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The support bracket serves as an intermediary component between the sheathing and the closure assembly. It mediates the structural support function by transferring loads from the closure assembly through the bracket to the framed opening, eliminating the need for additional sheathing reinforcement or complex installation procedures.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Loss of energy

If the sheathing is made of soft material such as foam board, then the thermal continuity is improved, but the structural support capability deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvethermal continuityVSAvoidstructural support capability

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of energyVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The support bracket is segmented into a planar portion that maintains contact with the soft sheathing surface and vertical portions that provide structural support. This segmentation allows the bracket to interface with the thermally insulating soft sheathing while independently providing the necessary structural support through its vertical elements and projections.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The support bracket acts as an intermediary that bridges the thermal and structural requirements. It allows soft, thermally continuous sheathing to be used while transferring structural loads through the bracket to the framed opening, eliminating the need for structurally supportive but thermally disruptive sheathing materials.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

4Reliability

If projections are used to penetrate the sheathing to stabilize the support bracket, then the reliability of the support bracket is improved, but the sheathing integrity may be compromised

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvereliability of support bracketVSAvoidsheathing integrity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The projections are designed to penetrate the sheathing at specific localized points rather than requiring widespread reinforcement. This localized penetration provides sufficient anchoring for the support bracket while minimizing disruption to the overall sheathing integrity and thermal continuity of the assembly.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Data Source

PatentUS12152432B2Support bracket for window installation and methods of use

Publication Date: 2024.11.26 PELLA CORP

AI summary

Various aspects of the present disclosure are directed toward apparatuses, systems, and methods for installing a closure assembly into a framed opening having sheathing arranged around the framed opening. The apparatuses, systems, and methods may include use of at least one support bracket along the framed opening and the sheathing.