Combined corner guard and spacer clip for fenestrations

Abstract

A clip and method for protecting and properly installing fenestrations during installation of building masonry and insuring a minimum clearance between the masonry and the fenestration frame. The clip is fitted to each side of the frame and temporarily secured by insertion of a retention rib into a slot formed into the outside of each side of the frame. An outer locator flange projects a distance equal to the desired minimum clearance. The clips may also be used to secure a protective film wrapped over the outer side of the fenestration.

1 . In combination a plurality of locator and guard clips and a generally rectangular fenestration, said clips having: 
 a front leg and a side leg extending at an approximately right angle to each other to form an angle piece able to be fit to a respective side fenestration frame;    a retention rib projecting from said front leg spaced below said side leg and extending in the same direction;    said retention rib received in a slot in one side of said fenestration frame and correspondingly spaced inwardly from side of said fenestration frame; and    a locator flange projecting substantially normally to said side leg from a point proximate said front leg and extending a distance corresponding to a predetermined minimum clearance space between said fenestration frame and an adjacent building opening into which said fenestration is installed.    
   
   
       2 . The combination of  claim 1  wherein said locator-guard clips each further include an angled retention feature at a distal end of said retention rib frictionally engaging a sidewall of said slot.  
   
   
       3 . The combination of  claim 2  wherein said retention feature is of a thinner thickness than said retention rib to be flexible.  
   
   
       4 . The combination of  claim 2  wherein said retention rib of each clip is shallowly angled with respect to said side leg to be deflected laterally when inserted in said slot.  
   
   
       5 . The combination of  claim 1  wherein said locator and guard clips each further including a grip portion projecting from said front leg and approximately normal thereto.  
   
   
       6 . The combination of  claim 1  wherein said locator and guard clips further include a protective film stretched over the front of said fenestration and around said series of clips.  
   
   
       7 . The combination of  claim 6  wherein said film is held tucked into each slot in said fenestration frame by said retention rib of each clip.  
   
   
       8 . The combination of  claim 6  wherein said locator flange of each clip is serrated and said film is stretched over said serrated edge of said locator flange of each of said clips.  
   
   
       9 . The combination of  claim 6  wherein said film is wrapped over said side of said fenestration frame and retained thereon by a band wrapped around the perimeter of said frame.  
   
   
       10 . A method of installing a fenestration into an opening in a building to be covered with a masonry outer facing, comprising: 
 temporarily installing one or more removable clips on each side of a fenestration frame, each clip having a locator flange extending outwardly from said perimeter of said frame a distance from said frame corresponding to a predetermined minimum clearance between said frame and an opening in said building;    installing said fenestration with said flanges disposed in a common plane with said masonry outer facing to be constructed;    constructing said masonry while; and thereafter removing said clips, whereby said minimum clearance is maintained.    
   
   
       11 . The method according to  claim 10  further including wrapping a protective film over an outer face of said fenestration and around said outer edge of said clips and holding said film by forming serrations on said outer edge to engage and hold said film in position.  
   
   
       12 . The method according to  claim 11  further including forming an outwardly projecting grip on each clip to assist in removal thereof.  
   
   
       13 . The method according to  claim 11  wherein said clips are temporarily installed by forming a retention rib on each clip and inserting said rib of each clip in a groove formed into a respective side of said fenestration frame, said slot and rib being configured so as to create a frictional securement therein.  
   
   
       14 . The method according to  claim 13  wherein each clip is integrally formed with a front and side leg fitted to an outer edge of said fenestration frame to provide a corner protection thereto.  
   
   
       15 . The method according to  claim 13  further including wrapping a protective film over said retention ribs of said clips and thereafter inserting said retention rib of each clip into a respective slot to secure said film in position therein.