Reinforcing structure for a window frame system

Abstract

A method of reinforcing and sealing a composite frame is provided. The method includes receiving material for processing, the material having surfaces defining at least one continuous channel therein; cutting the received material to a desired length; forming at least one notch in the material by cutting the material at certain angles thereby defining a pair of notch surfaces; placing reinforcing structures and sealing measures within at least a portion of the channel; and folding the material at the notch so that the notch surfaces are in abutting relation and moving the ends to be in abutting relating to define a closed frame. The reinforcing and sealing structure increases the structural integrity of the frame and provides a seal tight exterior as well as an aesthetically pleasing finished product.

1 . A method of reinforcing a composite frame, the method including: 
 receiving material for processing, the material having surfaces defining at least one continuous channel therein,    cutting the received material to a desired length,    forming at least one notch in the material by cutting the material at certain angles thereby defining a pair of notch surfaces,    placing reinforcing structure within at least a portion of the channel, and    thereafter, folding the material at the notch so that the notch surfaces are in abutting relation and moving the ends to be in abutting relating to define a closed frame with the reinforcing structure, disposed within the channel in the closed frame, providing reinforcement to the frame.    
   
   
       2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the reinforcing structure has a main body and a cable structure having first and second ends, the first end being coupled with the main body, the placing step including securing the main body within the channel at a certain location and orienting the cable structure to extend from the certain location within the entire continuous channel and back generally to the certain location, and securing the second end to the main body so that the cable structure provides compression to the frame.  
   
   
       3 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein the second end of the cable structure is adjustably coupled with the main body to control tension of the cable structure, the method including adjustably securing the second end to the main body to control tension of the cable structure.  
   
   
       4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the frame is composed of vinyl.  
   
   
       5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the frame is a window frame.  
   
   
       6 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein a corner is formed by the abutting ends and another corner is formed at the notch by the abutting notch surfaces, and wherein the placing step includes placing a reinforcing structure at each said corner.  
   
   
       7 . The method of  claim 6 , wherein the reinforcing structure at the corner formed by the notch is a mechanism constructed and arranged to maintain the notch surfaces in abutting relation.  
   
   
       8 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein the mechanism includes a pair of pivoting elements, such that when the reinforcing structure is placed at the corner formed by the notch, the elements are in an inoperative position, and during the folding step, the elements pivot to an operative position maintaining the notch surfaces in abutting relation.  
   
   
       9 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein each member has a hollow core defining a conduit through which a sealant can be injected to application points of the frame.  
   
   
       10 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein the mechanism includes ratchet structure to lock the elements in the operative position.  
   
   
       11 . The method of  claim 6 , wherein the reinforcing structure includes a pair of members at each corner, one member of each pair being disposed transversely with respect to the other member of the pair, a locking member securing the members together in abutting relation.  
   
   
       12 . The method of  claim 6 , wherein the frame is a window frame having a glass tower, the channel being defined in the glass tower, the reinforcing structure including a generally L-shaped member, the placing step including placing at least a portion of an L-shaped member in the channel of the glass tower at each corner.  
   
   
       13 . A reinforcing structure for a composite frame, the frame defining a closed structure, the closed structure having an interior periphery defining a portion of a continuous channel in the frame, the reinforcing structure comprising: 
 a main body constructed and arranged to be secured within the channel at a certain location, and    a cable structure having first and second ends, the first end being coupled with the main body, and the cable structure being of a length sufficient to extend from the certain location about the periphery and within the continuous channel and back generally to the certain location so that the second end of the cable structure can be secured to the main body so that the cable structure can provide compression to the frame.    
   
   
       14 . The reinforcing structure of  claim 13 , wherein the second end of the cable structure is constructed and arranged to be adjustably coupled with the main body to control tension of the cable structure.  
   
   
       15 . The reinforcing structure of  claim 14 , wherein the second end of the cable structure and the main body are constructed and arranged to be in adjustable treaded engagement.  
   
   
       16 . The reinforcing structure of  claim 14 , wherein the first end of the cable structure is integral with the main body and wherein the second end of the cable structure has a plurality of locking teeth and the main body is constructed and arranged to engage certain of the locking teeth.  
   
   
       17 . A frame structure comprising: 
 a composite frame defining a closed structure, the closed structure having an interior periphery defining a portion of a continuous channel in the frame, and    a reinforcing structure comprising: 
 a main body secured within the channel at a certain location, and  
 a cable structure having first and second ends, the first end being coupled with the main body, and the cable structure extending from the certain location about the periphery and within the continuous channel and back generally to the certain location with the second end being secured to the main body so that the cable structure provides compression to the frame.  
   
   
   
       18 . The frame structure of  claim 17 , wherein the second end of the cable structure is adjustably coupled with the main body to control tension of the cable structure.  
   
   
       19 . The frame structure of  claim 18 , wherein the second end of the cable structure and the main body are constructed and arranged to be in adjustable treaded engagement.  
   
   
       20 . The frame structure of  claim 18 , wherein the first end of the cable structure is integral with the main body and wherein the second end of the cable structure has a plurality of locking teeth and the main body engages certain of the locking teeth.  
   
   
       21 . The frame structure of  claim 17 , wherein the frame is composed of vinyl.  
   
   
       22 . The frame structure of  claim 21 , wherein the frame is a window frame.  
   
   
       23 . A method of providing compression to a composite frame, the frame defining a closed structure having a periphery defining a portion of a continuous channel in the frame, the method including: 
 providing a reinforcing structure having a main body and a cable structure having first and second ends, the first end being coupled with the main body,    securing the main body within the channel at a certain location,    orienting the cable structure to extend from the certain location about the periphery and within the continuous channel and back generally to the certain location, and    securing the second end to the main body so that the cable structure provides compression to the frame.    
   
   
       24 . The method of  claim 23 , wherein the second end of the cable structure is adjustably coupled with the main body to control tension of the cable structure, the method including adjustably securing the second end to the main body to control tension of the cable structure.  
   
   
       25 . The method of  claim 23 , further including sealing at least portions of the frame by applying a gel coating to the portions.