Method and structure for joining and sealing two components

Abstract

A method of joining two components of a vinyl frame provides first and second components each having an end and having surfaces defining at least one channel open at the end and extending into the associated component. A coupling structure is provided and has at least a first member and a second member and includes energy receiving structure. The first member is inserted to extend at least partially into the channel of the first component and the second member is inserted so as to extend at least partially into the channel of the second component so that the energy receiving structure is generally adjacent to certain surfaces defining the associated channel. Energy is directed to the coupling structure to cause the energy receiving structure to fuse with the certain surfaces, thereby joining the first and second components together. Improved component sealing and water pathways are also provided.

1 - 20 . (canceled) 
   
   
       21 . A coupling structure constructed and arranged to be fused with at least one other component, the coupling structure comprising:
 a body, and   energy receiving structure extending from the body, the energy receiving structure being constructed and arranged to fuse with said one component when energy is directed to the energy receiving structure.   
   
   
       22 . The coupling structure of  claim 21 , wherein the body includes at least a first and a second member, the first and second members having cooperating locking structure so as to be capable of being interlocked. 
   
   
       23 . The coupling structure of  claim 21 , wherein the energy receiving structure includes a plurality of ribs disposed in spaced relation on at least a portion of the body. 
   
   
       24 . The coupling structure of  claim 21 , wherein the first and second members are joined via a breakable portion, the breakable portion being constructed and arranged to broken to separate the first and second members. 
   
   
       25 . The coupling structure of  claim 21 , in combination with two components, each component having an end and having surfaces defining at least one channel extending from the end into the associated component, the body including at least a first member and a second member, each member extending at least partially into an associated channel and each member including said energy receiving structure, wherein the energy receiving structure is joined with surfaces defining the associated channel. 
   
   
       26 . The coupling structure of  claim 21 , in combination with two components arranged to define a corner of a structure, each component having a central channel, a first side channel, a second side channel, and bottom channel, wherein respective channels of one component communicate with associated channels of the other component, the body including:
 a first member and a second member, each extending at least partially into an associated central channel,   a third member and a fourth member, each extending at least partially into an associated first side channel,   a fifth member and a sixth member, each extending at least partially into an associated second side channel, and   a seventh member and eighth member, each extending at least partially into an associated bottom channel,   wherein each member includes said energy receiving structure fused with certain surfaces defining an associated channel.   
   
   
       27 . The combination of  claim 26 , wherein the seventh and eighth members are constructed and arranged to define a passage in the bottom channel to permit water to pass, with the first and second members, the third and fourth members, and the fifth and sixth members defining seal structure so as to prevent leakage of water from the passage. 
   
   
       28 . The combination of  claim 25 , wherein the first and second members have cooperating locking structure so as to be interlocked. 
   
   
       29 . The combination of  claim 24 , wherein the third member has a portion that extends into the channel containing the fourth member and abuts a portion of the fourth member. 
   
   
       30 - 39 . (canceled)