Device and method for installing muntin bars into a frame

Abstract

A device for installing muntin bars into a frame of a window including a device for accurately positioning the muntin bars within the frame and also for providing an accurate junction between the bars and the frame. The device includes a mounting frame that is inclined with respect to the vertical plane, tie-bars movably supported by the mounting frame for fixing and machining spacer frames of different sizes together with respective muntin bars and an apparatus for arranging and fixing muntin bars within the spacer frame. A method is proposed by which a terminal plug is fixed within one end of a muntin bar. The plug is fixed by screws, clamps or similar type fasteners that are positioned in a program controlled manner using a screwing apparatus or a shooting device that is movably supported relative to the spacer frame.

1 . A method for installing muntin bars or muntin gratings into a frame, including a device for realizing an accurate graded positioning of the muntin bars or the muntin grating within the spacer frame and also for an accurate junction provided there between and comprising the steps of: 
 positioning a spacer frame of desired size into the tie-bars of the mounting frame and    fixing a plastic terminal plug within one end of a muntin bar, i.e. a muntin grating end, so that an end flange of the plug abuts against the inner side of the spacer frame, and    fixing said plug, i.e. the muntin bars or the muntin cross fixed thereto at determined positions to the spacer frame profile by screwing or shooting screws or shooting clamps through the hollow profile of the spacer frame from the outside thereof, respectively, which screws or shooting clamps are provided by means of a screwing apparatus or a shooting device movably supported relative to the spacer frame.    
   
   
       2 . A method according to  claim 1 , wherein the screwing apparatus or the shooting device is automatically positioned relative to the spacer frame.  
   
   
       3 . A method according to  claim 1 , wherein positioning the muntin comprises the step of 
 fixing the muntin bar or the muntin grating to the spacer frame by means of a gripping jaw device which is to be adjusted by means of a pneumatic or hydraulic plunger which in turn is fixedly connected to a claw unit and    scanning the surface of the spacer frame supported by the positioning laying-on device for the frame relative to the screwing apparatus or the shooting device.    
   
   
       4 . A method according to  claim 3 , further comprising the step of 
 coordinating the scanning operation with the movement of the tie-bars at which the screwing apparatus or the shooting device is arranged, wherein the movement of the tie-bars is especially performed vertically and horizontally with respect to the spacer frame and    triggering the movement of the sliding block of the screwing apparatus or the shooting device against the outer wall of the spacer frame profile after having reached a determined screwing- or shooting position and thus    triggering the screwing or shooting operation.    
   
   
       5 . A method according to  claim 1 , further comprising the step of automatically supplying said screws, nails or fixing clamps of the screwing apparatus or the shooting device by means of an air hose connection.