Method and apparatus for attaching window hardware

Abstract

The present invention provides a fixture for securing hardware to a shaped sheet. The fixture includes supports having sheet supporting surfaces generally corresponding to a desired elevational contour of selected portions of a sheet to be supported and a holder to support hardware to be secured to the supported sheet at a predetermined location and orientation corresponding to a desired location and orientation of the hardware when secured to a sheet shaped to a desired configuration. In one particular embodiment of the invention, the sheet supporting surfaces correspond to selected marginal edge portions of the supported sheet. The present invention also provides a method of securing hardware to a shaped sheet comprising the steps of providing a sheet supporting surface generally corresponding to a desired elevational contour of selected portions of a sheet to be supported, holding hardware to be secured to the sheet at a predetermined location and orientation corresponding to a desired location and orientation of the hardware when the hardware is secured to a sheet having a desired configuration, positioning the sheet on the sheet supporting surface such that the sheet receives the hardware while maintaining the predetermined location and orientation of the hardware, and securing the hardware to the sheet such that the hardware maintains the predetermined location and orientation. In one particular embodiment of the invention, sheet supporting surface generally corresponds to a desired elevational contour of selected marginal edge portions of the sheet to be supported and adhesives are used to secure the hardware to the shaped sheet.

I claim:  
     
         1 . A fixture for securing hardware to a shaped sheet, comprising: 
 supports having sheet supporting surfaces generally corresponding to a desired elevational contour of selected portions of a sheet to be supported; and    a holder to support hardware to be secured to said supported sheet at a predetermined location and orientation corresponding to a desired location and orientation of said hardware when secured to a sheet shaped to a desired configuration.    
     
     
         2 . The fixture as in  claim 1  wherein said supports include a plurality of posts positioned to contact said sheet to be supported inboard of a marginal edge of said sheet.  
     
     
         3 . The fixture as in  claim 1  wherein said sheet supporting surfaces correspond to selected marginal edge portions of said sheet to be supported.  
     
     
         4 . The fixture as in  claim 3  wherein said sheet supporting surfaces correspond to at least three marginal edge portions of said sheet to be supported.  
     
     
         5 . The fixture as in  claim 3  further including aligning members to properly position said sheet to be supported on said sheet supporting surfaces.  
     
     
         6 . The fixture as in  claim 5  wherein said aligning members include stop members positioned along said sheet supporting surfaces.  
     
     
         7 . The fixture as in  claim 5  further including a base member, wherein said supports and holder extend from said base member.  
     
     
         8 . The fixture as in  claim 1  further including aligning members to properly position said sheet to be supported on said sheet supporting surfaces.  
     
     
         9 . A fixture for securing hardware to a shaped glass sheet, comprising: 
 supports configured to fix a sheet in a predetermined orientation; and    a holder to support hardware at a predetermined location and orientation corresponding to a desired location and orientation of said hardware when secured to a sheet having a desired configuration is fixed in said predetermined orientation.    
     
     
         10 . The fixture as in  claim 9  wherein said supports include a plurality of posts positioned to contact said sheet inboard of a marginal edge of said sheet.  
     
     
         11 . The fixture as in  claim 9  wherein said supports include a ledge having a sheet supporting surface generally corresponding to selected marginal edge portions of said sheet.  
     
     
         12 . A method of securing hardware to a shaped sheet comprising the steps of: 
 providing a sheet supporting surface generally corresponding to a desired elevational contour of selected portions of a sheet to be supported;    holding hardware to be secured to said sheet at a predetermined location and orientation corresponding to a desired location and orientation of said hardware when said hardware is secured to a sheet having a desired configuration;    positioning said sheet on said sheet supporting surface such that said sheet receives said hardware, while maintaining said predetermined location and orientation of said hardware; and    securing said hardware to said sheet such that said hardware maintains said predetermined location and orientation.    
     
     
         13 . The method as in  claim 12  wherein said providing step includes the step of providing a plurality of pin members positioned to support said sheet inboard of a marginal edge portion of said sheet to be supported.  
     
     
         14 . The method as in  claim 12  wherein said providing step includes the step of providing a sheet supporting surface which generally corresponds to a desired elevational contour of selected marginal edge portions of said sheet to be supported.  
     
     
         15 . The method as in  claim 12  wherein said securing step includes the step of providing an adhesive to said hardware prior to said positioning step such that said adhesive contacts said sheet during said positioning step and allowing said adhesive to set so as to fix said hardware to said sheet at said predetermined location and orientation.  
     
     
         16 . The method as in  claim 15  wherein said hardware is a stud member having a post and further wherein said post extends through an opening in said sheet during said positioning step.  
     
     
         17 . The method as in  claim 16  wherein said securing step further includes the step of attaching a securing member to a portion of said post which extends beyond said opening in said sheet.  
     
     
         18 . The method as in  claim 12  wherein said hardware is a channel shaped member and said positioning step includes the step of inserting an edge of said sheet into said channel.  
     
     
         19 . A method of securing hardware to a sheet comprising the steps of: 
 providing supports to position a shaped shape in a predetermined orientation;    holding hardware to be secured to said shaped sheet at a predetermined location and orientation corresponding to a desired location and orientation of said hardware when said hardware is secured to a sheet having a desired configuration held in said predetermined orientation;    positioning said shaped sheet on said supports such that said sheet receives said hardware, while maintaining said predetermined location and orientation of said hardware; and    securing said hardware to said sheet such that said hardware maintains said predetermined location and orientation.