Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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S P E C I F I C A T I O N
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Field of the Invention and
Descriptlon of the Prior Art
This invention relates to a structural assembly that
may be attached to the exterior wall of an existing or new
building and it particularly relate7 to a room addition
assembly, having a high proportion of windows, that may
be attached to the wall of a building.
There is always a need for high-quality construction,
including that for additions to existing buildings. In
a similar way, there is always an existing need to have
such high-quality construction be economical. This is parti-
cularly true during inflationary conditions, such as those
that exist today. Because of the high cost of housing,
many people are now choosing to addlon to their present
houses rather than seek out newer, larger homes. In essence,
there is a particularly acute need for high-quality but
economical construction, particular~y for room additions
and the like.
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Another significant need that has arisen in the past
several years is the need for energy efficient construction.
One of the great relatively unused sources of energy useful
for heat is solar heat. Particularly during the winter
months, solar energy is considered to be highly useful for
heating rooms, including room addi~ions. This is generally
accomplished by providing a large amount of window space
in a roan, including that of a room addition in order to
heat by passive solar energy. Therefore, in summary, clearly,
there is an acute existing need for high-quality, economical,
energy efficient construction, particularly construction
that may be useful as a room addition for an existing building,
including residences.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is therefore an important object oE the present
invention to provide a unique room addition structural assembly
which is characterized by its simplicity and economy of
construction, by its high-quality construction, and by its
energy efficiency in design.
It is also an object of the present invention to provide
a unique room addition structural assembly, wherein the
assembly is substantially pre-constructed and designed to
be attached to the exterior wall oE an existing structure,
such as a house, and wherein the exposed exterior walls-
and roof are ccmprised principally of window units with
glazing panels therein.
It is another object of the present invention to provide
a room addition structure assembly which is designed to
utilize solar energy for the heating thereof by providing
3Q a high proportion of window space for access of the sun
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rays so as to accomplish heating by solar energy, while,
at the same time, the structure selectively utiliæes a plurality
of slat shades to block sun rays, particularly during warm
or hot weather and thereby reduce cooling load required
for an air conditioning unit.
It is still another object of the present invention
to provide a room structure assembly which is characterized
by its uniqueness in construction by providing a plurality
of window units with glazing panels, which are provided
both on the side walls and on the roof, the window units
acting as load bearing members to provide simplici~y and
economy of construction for the assembly.
It is still another object of the present invention
to provide a room addition assembly which is constructed
` 15 of a plurality of window units with glazing panels therein,
which not only function as load bearing members, but which
include members for securing the panels to each other and
to a surrounding frame structure and also include seals
to provide a substantially weather tight room assembly.
~urther purposes and objects of the present invention
will appear as the specification proceeds.
The foregoing objects are accomplished by providing
a unique room addition type of assembly which may be attached
to the exterior wall of an existing building, such as a
residence, the wall having an opening therein for providing
access between the interior of the building and the room
structure, a foundation being positioned adjacent the wall,
an upright frame mounted on the foundation, the frame including
a pair of spaced side wall frame porltions, an outer wall
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frame portion, and a roof frame portion, a plurality of
structurally independent, pre-constructed panel members
which are securely mounted in each of the frame portions,
a substantial proportion of the panels comprising window
unit assemblies having glazing panels therein, the roof
of the structure particularly including a substantial portion
of panel members with glazing panels therein, said panel
members cooperating with the frame to provide load bearing
support for the structure, securing members being provided
between the frame assembly and the building, weather seals
being provided between the room structure assembly and the
building, securement members for securing the panels to
the frame assembly and to each other, and weather seals
defined between the panels and the panels and the frame
assembly, to thereby provide a sturdy, at least partially
pre-constructed, economical, and thermally efficient room
addition structure.
BRIEF DES~IPTION OF THE DRA~INGS
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One particular embodiment of the present invention
is illustrated in the acc~mpanying drawings wherein:
FIGURE 1 is a perspective view of a preferred room
addition assembly, which is attached to the exterior wall
on an existing building, such as a lesidence;
FIGURE 2 is an enlarged, pictorial sectional view taken
along the line 2-2 of FIGURE 1, illustrating a typical sealing
and securing arrangement between ad~acent window frames;
FIGURE 3 is an enlarged, pictorial sectional view taken
along the line 3-3 of FIGURE 1 illustrating a seal-securing
arrangement between the roof and thq exterior wal:L of the
building to which the room structurS is attached;
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FIGURE 4 is an enlarged, pictorial view, of view 4
of FIGURE 1, illustratiny an upper, inner corner of the
room structure oE FIGURE 1: 1 .
FIGURE S is ~n enlarged, pictorial sec~ional view taken
along the line 5-5 of FIGURE ]., illustrating an outer edge
of t~he roof of the room assembly;
FIGURE 6 iS an enlarged, pictorial sectional view taken
along the line 6-6i of FIGURE 1, illustrating the outer lower
corner of the roof of the structure of FIGURE l;
FIGURE 7 is an enlarged, pictorial sectional view taken
along the line 7-7 of FIGURE l; illustrating a typical bottom
of a wall portion along the foundation;
FIGURE 8 is an enlarged, pictorial sectional view taken
along the line 8-8 of FIGURE l; illustrating the bottom
of a sliding door assembl~; I
FIGURE 9 is an enlarged, pictorial sectional view taken
along the line 9-9 of FIGURE 1, illustrating the front upright
corner of the room assembly; -
FI GURE 10 is an enlarged, pictorial view of view 10
of FIGURE 1, illustrating an outer corner of the roof assembly;
FIGURE ll iS an enlarged pictorial setional view taken
along the line 11-11 of FIGURE 1 illustrating the rear upright
corner of the assembly where it attaches to the building;
FIGURE 12 is an exploded pictorial view of the embodiment
of FI GURE l;
FIGURE 13 is a transverse sectional view through the
room structure assembly of FIGURE l;
FIGURE 14 is a view similar tofFIG~RE 1 of an altern~
ative preferred room addition assembly;
FIGURE 15 iS an enlarged, sectlonal view taken along
the line 15-15 of FIGURE 14, illust~ating a preferred sealing
and securing arrangement between ad~facent window frames;
and
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FI GURE 16 is a sectional view of an isolated one oE
the glazing flanges of the arrangement of FIGURE 15.
DETA ILE: D DES CR I P TION OF T~lE
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With reference, in particular, to FIGURES 1, 12, and
13, a unique room addition structure, generally 10, is shown
attached to and against the exterior wall 12 of an existing
building, As seen best in FIGURE 1, a doorway or opening
is provided in the wall 12 in order,to provide for access
between the interior of the building and the interior of
the room assembly 10.
The room structure assembly lO includes, generally,
a foundation, generally 16, a floor assembly, generally 18,
an upright frame assembly, generally 20, which is mounted
lS on the foundation 16 and floor assembly 18, the Erame assembly 20
including a pair of spaced side wall frame portions 22,
a front wall frame portion 24, and a roof frame portion
generally 26; the assembly 10 further includes a plurality
of structurally independent panel members, each of which
is generally designated 28, it being understood that the
panel members 28 may be of varying siæe and shape in the
same assembly 10; a major proportion of the panel members 28
are c~nprised of window assemblies having glazing panels
provided therein. The window units are generally of a casement
type or of a double hung type, although, in the drawings,
the window units in the outer walls are generally shown
as casement units.
It is important that at least some window units are
provided within the roof Er~ne 26; the panel members 28
and the frame assembly 20 are cooperatively constructed
and arranged to provide for load bearing support for the
entire assembly 10. As generally shown in FIGURE 1 and
in greater detail in FIGURES 2-11, various securement members,
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generally designated 30, and suitable seals are provided
for securing the panel members 28 to each other and to the
Frame assembly 200
Because of difficulty in illustration, the securing
members, generally screws or nails, and the sealing elements,
principally a sealing mastic, are not shown. The various
elements that c~nprise weather seals, such as mullions or
flashings, are, however, shown generally.
It is to be understood that the embodiment of the room
assembly 10, as shown in the accompanying drawings and to
be hereinafter described in detail, is illustrative of one
preferred embodiment of the invention. In particular, the
structural details of the panel members 28 may vary over
a wide range. The panel members shown in the accompanying
drawings are shown as window units generally 32 However,
it is to be understood that the panels 2~ may be unglazed
panels. It is important, however, that the structure 10
is to use a high proportion of glazed panels 32 and that
at least some of the panels mountedlin the roof frame 26
are to be of glazed window units 32. In essence, the more
glazing that there is provided in the structure 10, the
greater is the e~fect of solar energy for heating the room,
that is, the greater the value of passive solar energy.
Although, in its simplest form, the room assembly 10
uses no heating source other than passive solar energy,
it is to be understood that, for greater comEort, a heating
system and/or air conditioning system may be used in connection
with the assembly 10. The window units are also preferably
double glazed. Similarly, and as schematically shown, for
example, in FIGURE 6, an adjustable slat shade assembly,
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generally 34, may be used ~n connection with the 32 in-order
to reduce the amount of solar energy which is passed into
the interior of the room assembly 10.
In the room structure 10, it is one of the important
features that the panel members 28 cooperate with the frame
assembly 20 in order to provide for load bearing support
for the entire assembly 10, both in the side walls and in
the roof. In most known constructions, the window frame
assemblies do not provide load bearing support for the building
in which they are placed. This particular aspect of the
assembly 10 provides for not only economical construction,
but also greatly simplifies the construction while retaining
high quality. Much of the structural detail of the assembly
10 is conventional and well known to those skilled in the
art. In essence, it is the overall combination of elements,
as described, which provides the unique advantages of the
invention.
Referring, in particular, to FIGURE 13, the foundation 16
includes footings 36 which are placed below the Erost line.
A ooncrete subfloor 38 is poured in place adjacent the wall
12 of the building to which the assembly 10 is attached,
with the footings 36 being located around the periphery
of the floor 38. A rough floor is secured in a conventional
manner to the cement floor 38 and islsecured in place by
conventional methods. I
Ins ~ ating material 40, as need!ed, is placed in the
space between the footings 36 and beneath the sub~loor 38.
A sheathing (not shown) is located ojn the exterior wall
12 of the building, to which the room assembly 10 is attachably
secured. Although the size of the room assembly, that is,
the length and width oE the floor plan of the room may vary
over a wide range, using conventional structural lwnber,
such as 2 x 4 framir.g members and when using conventional
window units 32, whether of the casement type or of the
double hung type, the room may vary in leng~h between 11-19
feet and in width between 7-8 feet, with the width extending
from the wall outwardly from the front frame 24. The slope
of the roof may also vary although a conventional 4/12,
5/12 or 6/12 roof pitch is generally used.
Referring to FIGURE 3, a bearing plate 42 and nailing
wedge 44 are secured to the wall 12 by nails or screws and
act to support the rear upper edge of the roof frame 26
with the panel m~nbers 28 which define the roof assembly.
As seen, the nailing wedge 44 is secured in place immediately
above the transversely, and horizontally mounted bearing
plate 42.
Preferably, the panel members 28 in the front frame 24
include a pair of oppositely spaced fixed window units 46
and a sliding door unit 48. The sliding door unit 48 includes
a sliding door portion 50 in which the upper side, and lower
side, as seen in FIGURE 8, are guided in a lower guide track
52. As seen in FIGURE 12, an outer,blocking frame 54 secures
the window units 46 and sliding door units 48 rigidly in
place to the front wall frame portion 24.
As with the window units 46 and sliding door unit 48,
a pair of window units, including a!plurality of generally
upright window units 56 and an upper wedge shaped glazing
unit 58, are rigidly secured to the opposite side fr~nes
22 and are secured in pLace therein by side wall blocking
frames 60, as best seen in FIGURE 12. Although the window
units 56 may be either casement or double hung type of units,
the wedge shaped unit 58 is fixed. I -
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A plurality of sun roof units 62 extend transversely
outwardly and downwardly from the wall 12 to the intersection
of the roof frame 26 with the front ~rame 24. ~ mastic
type caulking material (not shown) i8 placed between abutting
edges of the frames of the roof unit 62, as be~t seen in
FIGURE 2, as well as between ~he wlndow frames and the roof
frame. The roof units 62 are of unitary construction and
are in abutting rela~ionship. Desirably, the rooE units
in particular have slat shades mounted therein, either between
a pair o~ spaced glazing panels ~manufactured under the
trademark SLIMSHADE) or alternatively, adjacent the underside
of one of the glazing panels of the sunroof window unit
62.
A mullion cover 66 as best seen in FIGURE 2, preferably
of an extruded metal material, is secured in place over
the joint between the abutting units 62. The mullion cover
66 also acts to protect the mastic sealing material which
is sealably compressed between the lateral edges 68 of the
window units 62. This arrangement protects the sealing
material from the sun to thereby extend the life o the
mastic.
As most preferred, the mullion cover 66 is secured
in place over a joint 82 between two glazing flanges 84
of the abutting units 62, as shown in FIGURE 15. The flanges
84 are mirror images of each other,land as best seen in
FIGURE 16, each includes a central,lbox-like portion 86.
Two thin, upright, parallel wall sections 88, 89 form the
sides of the central portion 86, and are joined by a perpen-
dicular, lower wall section 90, and a thin, shaped, upper
. wall section 92. Two legs 94, 96 extend below the lower
wall section 90. The leg 94 is attached at the juncture
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of the wall sections 88, 90, while, the leg 96 is attached
to the lower wall section 90 between the wall sections 88,
89.
The upper wall section g2 includes an upw~rdly thrust
U shaped portion 98 with an exposed surface 100. A first
serrated arm 102 projects upward f rom the juncture of the
wall sections 88, 92 to a height j ust less than the sur~ace
100. The arm 102 and side 104 of the U portion 98 form
a first recess 106, which the serrations 108 of the arm
102 face. ~ second serrated arm 110 with serrations 112
forms a second recess 114 with the opposite side 116 of
the U por~:ion 98. The arm 110 is spaced from the junc'cure
of the wall sections 89,' 92.
A quarter-round ni b 118 proj ects upward from the j unc-
ture of the wall sections 89t 92 to, a height reduced from
that of the arms 102, 110 and U porti on 98.
As in FIGURE 15, flanges 84 are abutted with nihs 118
touchi ng, there by f ormi ng a masti c channel 120 above the
nibs 118 between the arms 110. Mastic 122 is placed in
the mastic channel 120. The mastic filled channel 120 is
then covered by the mullion cover 66, which has downwardly,
extending legs 124, 126 with barbs 128, 130 fitted, respec-
tively, in t'he recesses 114 and held in tension by the ser-
rations 112.
The channel 120 has a bottom surf ace formed by the
nibs 118 which has an inverted U shape. Thus, the mastic
122 in the channel 120 has a central, shallow neck and deeper,
non-central, downwardly directed ridges. The ridges anchoe
the mastic 122 to the flanges 84, in the event oE tension
tending to separate the flanges 84. This anchoring action
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results in tension stretching the neck, rather than breaking
the mastic free of the flanges 84. To prevent the tension
of the mullion cover 66 from causing rotation oE the flanges
84 upward about the mullion cover 66, the bottom of the
channel 120 below the mastic ridges is raised above the
bottoms of the recesses 11,4.
As seen in FIGURE 3, a top flashing 70 is secured in
place at the junction between the r'ear edge of the roof
on the wall 12 in order to provide for the sealing relationship
therebetween. Flashing 72, as bestlseen in FIGURE 4, is
located at the intersection of the side wall, the roof,
and the wall 12.
In FIGURE 5, it is seen that a sunroof side flashing
74 and a counter flashing 76 are secured in place over the
lS lateral edges of the roof of the assembly 10.
Referring to FIGURE 6, a counter flashing 78 is secured
in place along the outer lower edge of the roof assembly.
A bottom flashing 80 is similarly secured in place below
the flashing 78. A pair of upright mullion covers 82 cover
the outer upright exterior corners of the frame assembly
20, as best seen in FIGURE 9.
In installing the various flashings and mullions, caulking
is applied in order to provide for a weather-tight seal
between the various flashings or mullion covers and the
frame itself. The structural details in the applicant's
invention result in a unique combination of structural elements
which, although of generally conventional construction and
during construction employ known techniques, provide the
unique advantages previously set forth.
While in the foregoing there has been provided a detailed
description of a particular embodimen~ of the present invention,
it is to be understood that all eguivalents obvious to those
having skill in the art are to be i'ncluded within the scope
of the i nventi on as cl aimed .
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