US 11,773,645 B1
Compound fenestration assembly mull joints and methods
Timothy J. Kelley, Stillwater, MN (US); Duane Fier, Hudson, WI (US); Jeremiah Boe, Lino Lakes, MN (US); and Jon Dekko, Stillwater, MN (US)
Assigned to ANDERSEN CORPORATION, Bayport, MN (US)
Filed by ANDERSEN CORPORATION, Bayport, MN (US)
Filed on Sep. 28, 2022, as Appl. No. 17/954,955.
Application 17/954,955 is a continuation of application No. 17/205,603, filed on Mar. 18, 2021, granted, now 11,499,364.
Application 17/205,603 is a continuation of application No. 16/811,222, filed on Mar. 6, 2020, granted, now 10,968,687, issued on Apr. 6, 2021.
Application 16/811,222 is a continuation of application No. 16/284,156, filed on Feb. 25, 2019, granted, now 10,626,664, issued on Apr. 21, 2020.
Application 16/284,156 is a continuation in part of application No. 15/916,641, filed on Mar. 9, 2018, granted, now 10,233,688, issued on Mar. 19, 2019.
Application 15/916,641 is a continuation in part of application No. 15/044,610, filed on Feb. 16, 2016, granted, now 9,932,765, issued on Apr. 3, 2018.
Claims priority of provisional application 62/116,826, filed on Feb. 16, 2015.
This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.
Int. Cl. E06B 3/96 (2006.01); E06B 1/60 (2006.01)
CPC E06B 3/9624 (2013.01) [E06B 1/6007 (2013.01)] 20 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A compound fenestration assembly comprising:
a first frame member of a first fenestration unit attached to a second frame member of a second fenestration unit along a mull joint having a first end and a second end,
wherein the mull joint defines a mull joint axis extending along a length of the mull joint between the first and second ends of the mull joint,
wherein the first and second frame members comprise exterior sides facing in the same direction and interior sides facing in an opposite direction from the exterior sides, wherein an interior/exterior axis extends between the interior and exterior sides in a direction transverse to the mull joint axis,
wherein the first frame member faces the second frame member across the mull joint, wherein a separation axis extends through the mull joint between the first and second frame members, the separation axis extending in a direction transverse to both the mull joint axis and the interior/exterior axis;
a first joining strip attached to the first frame member of the first fenestration unit, the first joining strip comprising a first end proximate the first end of the mull joint, wherein the first joining strip comprises a channel aligned with the mull joint axis, the channel opening towards the exterior side of the first fenestration unit;
a second joining strip attached to the second frame member of the second fenestration unit, the second joining strip comprising a first end proximate the first end of the mull joint, wherein the second joining strip comprises a channel aligned with the mull joint axis, the channel opening towards the interior side of the second fenestration unit such that the channel on the first joining strip mechanically interlocks with the channel on the second joining strip, wherein the mechanically interlocking channels prevent movement of the first frame member away from the second frame member along the separation axis, prevent movement of the first frame member towards the exterior side of the second frame member along the interior/exterior axis, and prevent movement of the second frame member towards the interior side of the first frame member along the interior/exterior axis;
a corner gusset assembly at the first end of the mull joint, the corner gusset assembly comprising:
an adjustable corner gusset attached to the first fenestration unit, wherein the adjustable corner gusset comprises:
a corner gusset leg attached to the first fenestration unit at the first end of the mull joint, the corner gusset leg comprising an exposed end extending away from the first end of the first joining strip along the separation axis,
a base plate extending away from a corner of the first fenestration unit proximate the first end of the mull joint, wherein the base plate extends away from the first fenestration unit in a direction aligned with the separation axis, wherein the base plate is configured for attachment to an interior surface of an opening in which the first fenestration unit is located to restrict movement of the base plate along the interior/exterior axis, and
a sliding junction between the corner gusset leg and the base plate, wherein the sliding junction comprises a tab and a slot, wherein the tab and the slot form a tab and slot assembly between the corner gusset leg and the base plate, wherein the tab and slot assembly restricts movement of the corner gusset leg and the base plate relative to each other along the interior/exterior axis and also configured to allow the corner gusset leg to move relative to the base plate along the separation axis such that the first frame member is configured to move relative to the base plate in two opposing directions along the separation axis while being restricted from movement relative to the base plate along the interior/exterior axis.