Secure corner assembly for high-strength windows

Abstract

Windows and secure corner assemblies are generally described. The windows may include a sash having stiles arranged on vertical sides thereof and rails arranged on horizontal sides thereof. Primary reinforcement members may be arranged within the stiles. Secure corner assemblies may be configured to be arranged within corners of the sash formed by intersections of the stiles and the rails. The secure corner assemblies may include at least one secondary reinforcement member arranged on an external surface of one of the rails, such as a top rail. A tilt mechanism may be configured to be coupled to a primary reinforcement member and the at least one secondary reinforcement member, thereby providing a continuous reinforcement connection around the window sash. Vinyl windows using corner assemblies according to some embodiments may have increased pressure ratings compared to vinyl windows that do not include such corner assemblies.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A window, comprising:
 at least one sash comprising two stiles arranged on opposing vertical sides of the sash and two rails arranged on opposing horizontal sides of the sash, wherein four corners are formed by intersections of each of the two stiles with each of the two rails; 
 two primary reinforcement members, each of the two primary reinforcement members being arranged within one of the two stiles; and 
 a plurality of secure corner assemblies comprising:
 at least one secondary reinforcement member coupled to one of the two rails, the at least one secondary reinforcement member being arranged along an external perimeter surface of the one of the two rails, and 
 a tilt latch assembly being arranged within one of the four corners, the tilt latch assembly comprising a vertical component coupled to one of the two primary reinforcement members, and a horizontal component coupled to the at least one secondary reinforcement member. 
 
 
     
     
       2. The window of  claim 1 , wherein the two stiles and the two rails are formed from vinyl. 
     
     
       3. The window of  claim 1 , wherein each of the two primary reinforcement members is formed from aluminum. 
     
     
       4. The window of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one secondary reinforcement member is formed from aluminum. 
     
     
       5. The window of  claim 1 , wherein the tilt latch assembly is formed from at least one of a nylon polymer material and a zinc material. 
     
     
       6. The window of  claim 1 , further comprising a cap configured to enclose the at least one secondary reinforcement member. 
     
     
       7. The window of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a resilient member arranged on the vertical component; and 
 a tensioning mechanism configured to provide a tensioned joint between the tilt latch assembly and the at least one secondary reinforcement member. 
 
     
     
       8. The window of  claim 1 , wherein the two stiles and the two rails are formed from vinyl, and the window has a pressure rating of greater than 80 lbs/ft 2 . 
     
     
       9. A secure corner assembly for reinforcing a window, the secure corner assembly comprising:
 at least one secondary reinforcement member coupled to a perimeter surface of a rail of the sash of the window, and 
 a tilt latch assembly configured to be arranged within a corner of the window, the tilt latch assembly comprising:
 a vertical component configured to be coupled to a primary reinforcement member arranged within a stile of the sash, and 
 a horizontal component configured to be coupled to the at least one secondary reinforcement member. 
 
 
     
     
       10. The secure corner assembly of  claim 9 , wherein the at least one secondary reinforcement member is formed from aluminum. 
     
     
       11. The secure corner assembly of  claim 9 , wherein the tilt latch assembly is formed from at least one of a nylon polymer material and a zinc material. 
     
     
       12. The secure corner assembly of  claim 9 , further comprising a cap configured to enclose the at least one secondary reinforcement member. 
     
     
       13. The secure corner assembly of  claim 9 , further comprising:
 a resilient member arranged on the vertical component; and 
 a tensioning mechanism configured to provide a tensioned joint between the tilt latch assembly and the at least one secondary reinforcement member. 
 
     
     
       14. A method of manufacturing a window, the method comprising:
 providing at least one sash comprising two stiles arranged on opposing vertical sides of the sash and two rails arranged on opposing horizontal sides of the sash, wherein four corners are formed by intersections of each of the two stiles with each of the two rails; 
 arranging each of two primary reinforcement members within one of the two stiles; and 
 providing a plurality of secure corner assemblies comprising:
 at least one secondary reinforcement member coupled to one of the two rails, the at least one secondary reinforcement member being arranged along an external perimeter surface of the one of the two rails, and 
 a tilt latch assembly being arranged within one of the four corners, the tilt latch assembly comprising a vertical component coupled to one of the two primary reinforcement members, and a horizontal component coupled to the at least one secondary reinforcement member. 
 
 
     
     
       15. The method of  claim 14 , wherein the two stiles and the two rails are formed from vinyl. 
     
     
       16. The method of  claim 14 , wherein each of the two primary reinforcement members is formed from aluminum. 
     
     
       17. The method of  claim 14 , wherein the at least one secondary reinforcement member is formed from aluminum. 
     
     
       18. The method of  claim 14 , wherein the tilt latch assembly is formed from at least one of a nylon polymer material and a zinc material. 
     
     
       19. The method of  claim 14 , further comprising providing a cap configured to enclose the at least one secondary reinforcement member. 
     
     
       20. The method of  claim 14 , further comprising:
 forming a resilient member arranged on the vertical component; and 
 providing a tensioning mechanism configured to provide a tensioned joint with the resilient member between the tilt latch assembly and the at least one secondary reinforcement member. 
 
     
     
       21. A window comprising:
 a sash comprising two stiles arranged on opposing vertical sides of the sash and two rails arranged on opposing horizontal sides of the sash, wherein four corners are formed by intersections of each of the two stiles with each of the two rails;   a primary reinforcement member arranged within one of the two stiles; and   a secondary reinforcement member coupled to one of the two rails, the secondary reinforcement member coupled to the primary reinforcement member at a first corner of the four corners; and   wherein the secondary reinforcement member is arranged along an external perimeter surface of the one of the two rails.   
     
     
       22. The window of claim 21, wherein:
 the primary reinforcement member is a first primary reinforcement member;   the window further comprises a second primary reinforcement member arranged within a second of the two stiles; and   the secondary reinforcement member is coupled to the second primary reinforcement member at a second corner of the four corners.   
     
     
       23. The window of claim 21, further comprising a tilt latch assembly arranged within the one of the four corners, the tilt latch assembly coupling the primary reinforcement member to the secondary reinforcement member. 
     
     
       24. The window of claim 23, wherein the tilt latch assembly comprises:
 a vertical component coupled to the primary reinforcement member; and   a horizontal component coupled to the secondary reinforcement member.   
     
     
       25. The window of claim 21, wherein the two stiles and the two rails are formed from vinyl. 
     
     
       26. The window of claim 25, wherein the window has a pressure rating of greater than 80 lbs/ft 2 . 
     
     
       27. The window of claim 21, wherein the primary reinforcement member and the secondary reinforcement member are formed from aluminum. 
     
     
       28. The window of claim 21, wherein the secondary reinforcement member extends substantially along a length of the one of the two rails, and wherein the primary reinforcement member extends substantially along a length of the one of the two stiles. 
     
     
       29. The window of claim 21, wherein the primary reinforcement member extends in a vertical direction, and wherein the secondary reinforcement member extends in a horizontal direction. 
     
     
       30. A window comprising:
 a sash comprising two stiles arranged on opposing vertical sides of the sash and two rails arranged on opposing horizontal sides of the sash, wherein four corners are formed by intersections of each of the two stiles with each of the two rails;   a primary reinforcement member arranged within one of the two stiles;   a tilt latch assembly arranged within one of the four corners, the tilt latch assembly coupled to the primary reinforcement member; and   a secondary reinforcement member coupled to one of the two rails and arranged along an external perimeter surface of the one of the two rails.   
     
     
       31. The window of claim 30, wherein the two stiles and the two rails are formed from vinyl and wherein the primary reinforcement member is formed from aluminum. 
     
     
       32. The window of claim 30, wherein the tilt latch assembly comprises a vertical component coupled to the primary reinforcement member. 
     
     
       33. The window of claim 30, wherein the primary reinforcement member extends in a vertical direction.