UTILITY PATENT APPLICATION COMBINED ANCHOR, FASTENER AND LEVS UNO S MBLY RELATED APPLICATIONS

[001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Serial No. 62/632,453, filed February 20, 2018, U.S. Provisional Patent Application Serial No. 62/653,694, filed April 6, 2018; and U.S. Provisional Patent Application Serial No. 62/724,891 , filed August 30, 2018, U.S., and is a continuation- in-part of U.S. PCT Application No. PCT/US2019/018592, filed February 19, 2019, which, in turn, is a continuation-in-part, of U.S. Non-Provisional Patent Application Serial No. 15/852,733, filed December 22, 2017, each of which is incorporated herein by reference thereto.

[002] The present invention relates generally to the field of anchors, fasteners and leveling assemblies, especially useful in the building industry for various tasks, such as, e.g., anchoring, securing, and leveling windows and doors to surrounding support framing in buildings, and the like. More particularly, the present invention relates to a combined anchor, fastener, and leveling assembly wherein all three functions of anchoring, fastening, and leveling are achieved in a relatively simple, yet highly effective manner with a strong and robust anchor and fastener and a simple and facile to use mechanical leveling attachment also mountable on the anchor. More specifically, the assembly comprises a baseplate or flange attached to a post depending therefrom preferably in the form of a screw or bolt having a threaded blind bore formed therein for anchoring objects to a support structure via a fastener receivable in the blind bore which affords a strong and robust joint allowing easy, facile and quick installation and also affords watertight performance. The assembly further includes a leveling head or flange attachment having a height- adjustable threaded post also receivable in the blind bore of the anchor for leveling an object, such as a door or window on a support or frame.

[003] Various methods for mounting and waterproofing, a variety of items, such as solar panels and railings to roofs and terraces or windows, doors, or the like to, are well known but prove to be ineffective and unreliable over time. In the window and door industry, there are often issues with water infiltration at the points of attachment of the windows and doors to the building framing. While conventional pan flashing may be installed below the window or door in order to collect and direct any water that may leak through or around the window or door opening to the exterior, water infiltration may still occur at the points of attachment of the pan flashing to the building framing. Accordingly, it is difficult for many of the installers to provide guarantees or obtain insurance against water or moisture damage caused by conventional window or door anchoring systems. [004] In Applicant’s U.S. application Serial No. 15/852,733, Applicant addressed this problem by the provision of a novel anchor and fastening assembly especially intended for mounting and waterproofing roof equipment, accessory structures or the like, such as solar panels, HVAC equipment and roof railings etc. on roofs, roof decks, balconies and the like, comprising an anchor baseplate and a post depending therefrom, the latter of which is receivable into or through the intended“anchoring” structure or support. An at least partially-threaded blind bore passes through the baseplate and into the post. A fastener, such as a bolt, is receivable in the blind bore for fastening an object to the assembly. As mentioned above, the assembly can be used to secure, e.g., a solar panel, HVAC or other roof equipment to a roof or other building structure. Applicant’s U.S. PCI Application Serial No. PCT/052019/018592 provides further embodiments of this novel anchor and fastener assembly, especially intended for windows and doors, by configuring the post as a one-piece screw or bolt anchor while still affording a strong and robust joint and watertight performance.

[005] The present invention provides a further improvement to this novel anchor and fastener assembly by additionally providing a leveling attachment also receivable in the bore of the anchor post which affords easy and facile leveling of the object, such as a door or window, relative to the frame or other structure on which it’s to be mounted. This eliminates the need for utilizing shims often made from wood scraps typically used to level doors or windows which serve as crude leveling and shimming devices to provide a better and level fit. These wood shims often require time-consuming re-adjustment and re-positioning of the shims to effect an adequate or sufficiently level orientation of the door or window. Moreover, subsequent unwanted shifting or movement thereof can adversely affect the plumb and square fit of the door or window.

[006] Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a novel anchoring, fastening, and leveling system which addresses and solves the problems in the prior art systems as noted above in an advantageous, effective, simple, and facile manner.

[007] It is a further object of the invention to provide a novel anchor, fastener and leveling assembly which is more reliable than prior art systems in providing a waterproof connection at the attachment points.

[008] It is another object of the present invention to provide a novel anchor, fastener and leveling assembly which is relatively simple in design and construction, easy and quick to install, and is relatively inexpensive to make.

[009] It is a yet another object of the present invention to provide such a novel anchor, fastener and leveling assembly especially useful in the building industry for a variety of support and connection tasks, such as, e.g., for anchoring, shimming and leveling windows and doors in openings formed in a building’s framing to provide a plumb and square fit.

[010] It is a more particularly object of the present invention to provide an extremely compact, strong, robust and easy-to-use combined anchor, fastener and leveling device which is universally adaptable for many different applications and tasks.

[011] Certain of the foregoing and related objects are readily attained according to the present invention by the provision of a combined anchor a combined anchor, fastener, and leveling assembly for mounting an object to a support structure, comprising an anchor baseplate having a top surface and a bottom surface, an elongated post having an upper end and lower end, with said upper end thereof coupled to said baseplate so it depends from said bottom surface thereof, and an at least partially-threaded blind bore extending from said top surface of said baseplate into said post, and having an open top end in said top surface of said baseplate and a closed bottom end in said post. The bottom surface of said anchor baseplate is configured to allow at least a portion of the support structure to abut and lie generally flush thereagainst except for the area of said bottom surface which is covered by said post. Means are also provided for leveling an object, comprising a leveling head having a generally planar upper surface and a bottom surface, and an elongated, at least partially externally-threaded post coupled to said leveling head so it depends from said bottom surface thereof, said threaded post being threadably receivable in said at least partially-threaded blind bore of said anchor baseplate to enable the leveling head to abut and level the object relative to the support structure.

[012] In a further preferred embodiment, the blind bore of said anchor baseplate has a longitudinally-extended axis and said assembly additionally includes means for rotating said anchor about said axis of said blind bore. The means for rotating preferably comprises a port formed adjacent to, and within, said open top end of said blind bore of said anchor baseplate. Most desirably, the port is configured and dimensioned as a flat head screw slot or as an Allen key port.

[013] Most advantageously, the assembly, additionally including means for fastening an object to said anchor baseplate via said blind bore thereof, such as a threaded bolt.

[014] In another preferred embodiment, the anchor baseplate post comprises an externally-threaded bolt having a free end and a washer and nut receivable on a free end of said bolt for anchoring said anchor baseplate to a support.

[015] In a particularly preferred embodiment, the means for leveling additionally includes an at least partially-threaded blind bore extending from said upper surface of said leveling head into said externally-threaded post thereof, with said blind bore of said means for leveling having an open top end in said upper surface of said baseplate and a closed bottom end in said post thereof. Desirably, the leveling head is height adjustable to enable the leveling head to be adjusted to abut and level the object relative to the support structure at a desired height. Optionally, the assembly, also includes means for fastening an object to said means for leveling via said blind bore thereof, such as a threaded bolt. Most advantageously, the assembly additionally includes means for locking the leveling head at a fixed position relative to said anchor baseplate. The means for locking desirably comprises a nut and washer preferably mounted on the externally-threaded elongated post of said means for leveling and disposed between the bottom surface of said leveling head and the top surface of said anchor baseplate.

[016] In a yet further embodiment of this invention, the anchor baseplate post is cylindrical and the assembly additionally includes means for fastening said anchor baseplate to a support structure. Most desirable, the anchor baseplate has a plurality of holes therethrough and said means for fastening comprises a plurality of screws, each receivable in one of said holes.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[017] Other objects and features of the present invention wili become apparent from the detailed description considered in connection with the accompanying drawings, which disclose several embodiments of the invention. It is to be understood that the drawings are to be used for the purpose of illustration only and not as a definition of the limits of the invention.

FIG 1 is a side elevational view of a combined flush screw anchor and fastener assembly according to a first embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a side elevational view, in part section, of the flush screw anchor assembly shown in FIG. 1 ;

FIG 3 is a top plan view of the flush anchor flange assembly shown in FIGS. 2 and 3;

FIG. 4A is a side elevational view, in part section, similar to FIG. 2, but showing the optional provision of a flat head screwdriver port;

FIG. 4B is a top plan view similar to FIG 3, but showing the optional provision of a flat head screwdriver port;

FIG. 5A is a side elevational view, in part section, similar to FIG. 2, but showing the provision of an Allen key port; FIG. 5B is a top plan view similar to FIG. 3, but showing the optional provision of an Allen key port;

FIG. 6 is a side elevational view of a combined hex head screw anchor and fastener assembly according to a second embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 7 is a side elevational view, in part section, of the hex head screw anchor assembly shown in FIG. 6;

FIG. 8 is a top plan view, in part section, of the hex head screw anchor assembly shown in FIG. 6;

FIG 9 is a side elevational view of a combined long neck screw anchor and fastener assembly according to a third embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 10 is a top plan view, in part section, of the long neck screw anchor assembly shown in FIG. 9;

FIG. 1 1 is a perspective view of the long neck screw anchor assembly shown in FIG. 9;

FIGS. 12-14 are side elevational views, in part section, of bolt anchor assemblies corresponding to the first, second and third embodiments, respectively, utilizing a bolt with a central blind bore rather than a screw;

FIGS. 15A and 15B are exploded, side elevational views, in part section, of the flush screw anchor assemblies shown in FIGS. 1 - 3 and FIGS. 4A and 4B, respectively, above each of which is disposed a leveling attachment;

FIGS. 16A and 16B are side elevational views, in part section, of the flush screw anchor assemblies shown in FIGS. 15A and 15B, respectively, with the height- adjustable leveling attachment shown in a fully collapsed position shown in FIG. 16A and in a raised position in FIG. 18B, relative to the flush screw anchor in which it’s mounted;

FIGS. 17A and 17B are exploded, side elevational views, in part section, similar to that of FIGS. 15A and 15B, respectively, but further showing a locking nut and washer interposed between the leveling attachment and the flush screw anchor assembly;

FIG. 17G is a side elevational view, in part section, of the flush screw anchor assembly and leveling attachment shown in FIG. 17B in a fully assembled and operative position;

FIG. 18 is an exploded, side elevational view, in part section, of an L-shaped section of a window frame arranged adjacent to a building frame sill plate and jack stud and showing the positioning of a flush bolt anchor assembly and a flush screw anchor assembly, with its leveling attachment and fastening bolt shown prior to instailation thereof;

FIG. 19 is a side elevational view, in part section, similar to FIG. 18 hereof, but showing the flush bolt anchor and flush screw anchor, each coupled to a leveling attachment and, in turn, a fastening bolt when fully installed; and

FIG. 20 is an exploded, side elevational view, in part section, comparable to FIG. 18, but showing instead an externally-threaded flush bolt anchor with a leveling attachment and fastening bolt, and a flush screw anchor with a leveling attachment, but no fastening bolt. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED AND ILLUSTRATED

[018] FIGS. 1 - 14 show the screw and bolt anchor assemblies described and illustrated in Applicant’s parent c.i.p. application, U.S. PCT Application No. PCT/US2019/0018592, which are also employed as the anchor in Applicant’s combined anchor, fastening and leveling assembly disclosed herein. In particuiar, FIGS. 1-3 illustrate a first embodiment of the novel anchor and fastener assemblies (hereinafter generally referred to as“anchors” or“anchor assemblies”) according to the present invention, generally designated by reference numeral 1 10. Anchor assembly 110 is a flush screw anchor and is particularly useful in the building trade for a myriad of uses and is especially suitable for securing windows or doors to surrounding support framing therefor within a building. Flush screw anchor assembly 1 10 comprises a preferably planar baseplate, flange or washer 111 having an upper surface 1 12, an opposite Sower surface 113, and an optionally internally- threaded central opening 114 extending therethrough. Additionally, screw anchor assembly 110 also includes an externally-threaded post, preferably in the form of a screw or a lag screw 116 secured to anchor baseplate 111 and extending downwardly from lower surface 1 13 of baseplate 1 11. As shown best in FIG. 2, the upper shaft of screw 116 includes an axially-extending, internally-threaded central bore 117 which merges with and is axially aligned with central opening 114 of baseplate 11 1. As can be appreciated, bore 117 has a diameter smaller than the external diameter of the externally-threaded shaft of screw 116. [019] Bore 1 17 in screw 116 is a blind bore having an open top end defined by the bore 114 in fiange or baseplate 111 and a closed bottom end 119 in the shaft of screw 116. If is also preferred that screw 116 and baseplate 111 are integrally joined to form a one-piece combined anchor and fastener assembly or component. Screw 1 16 can be secured to baseplate 1 11 via welding, a press-fit connection or by any other fastening means that would insure that screw 116 and baseplate 1 11 are securely and rigidly fastened together to provide a strong and robust anchor.

[020] As will be shown and discussed hereinafter in relationship to the installation and use of the anchors, of the present invention for this embodiment and the other embodiments described herein, a fastener typically in the form of a bolt 26 having an enlarged head and a threaded shaft, is threadably receivable in the bore 117 to hold and securely fasten an object to the anchor, typically with the aid of a washer 27, so that the object, or part thereof or an associated accessory structure therefor, such as the U-shaped bracket used to support a glass panel for a roof railing shown in FIGS. 4A - 4C in Applicant’s grandparent application, Serial No. 15/852,733, is securely held fast against the upper surface of anchor baseplate 11. This is accomplished by providing a through-hole in the object, part or accessory structure therefor through which the threaded shaft of the bolt 26 is passed through before it is threaded into the bore 17 or the like of the anchor and tightened to securely fasten the object to the anchor 10.

[021] FIGS 4A and 4B herein illustrate a modification of the flush anchor embodiment shown in FIGS. 1-3, wherein a recessed, fiat head screw slot or port 142 is formed in baseplate 111 on opposite sides of its central bore 114 which extends therebelow into the upper, externally smooth and enlarged head portion 144 of lag screw flush anchor 1 10 on opposite sides of its central bore 117 to allow a flat head screwdriver or other tool (not shown) to be inserted into slot 142 to facilitate turning of the externally- threaded shaft of screw 116 to either screw the anchor 110 into the intended supporting structure or to threadably remove it therefrom if, e.g., it needs to be repositioned in the building supporting structure or otherwise removed.

[022] FIGS. 5A and 5B illustrate another modification of the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1-3, wherein instead of the employment of a flat head screwdriver port 142, an Allen key port 132 is provided. More particularly, a countersunk cylindrical head space 145 is provided in the anchor baseplate 111 and it extends therebelow into the upper, externally smooth, enlarged head portion 144 of lag screw anchor 110, defined in part, by cylindrical wall 131 extending downwardly from the top surface 112 of washer 111 into the countersunk head space 145 provided in and jointly defined by baseplate 111 and head portion 144.

[023] The Allen key port 132 comprises a cylindrical metallic plug secured in head space 145, preferably via welding. The cylindrical plug 133 has inner wall 132 defining a preferably hexagonal recess aligned with central bore 117 which serves as an Allen key port and is configured to receive an Allen key (not shown) by which the flush screw anchor 110 can be easily and threadably screwed into, and removed from, the door frame, window frame or other support, as described and illustrated in greater detail hereinafter.

[024] In a second embodiment of the present invention, as shown in FIGS. 6- 8, a hex head lag screw anchor 210 is provided having a hexagonal hex nut 250 secured atop upper surface 212 of baseplate 211. The hexagonal hex nut 250 serves the same purpose as the screwdriver slot, Allen key port, or the like, whereby a tool such as a socket wrench {not shown) can be used which is configured to grip the hex head to facilitate its threaded engagement into, or removed from, the door or window building frame. External hex nut 250 is preferably integrally joined to baseplate 211 , such as by welding, to form a one-piece component. As shown best in FIG. 7, external hex nut 250 contains an internally-threaded, central through bore 252 which is in axial alignment and registering with central bore 217 of lag screw 216 and bore 214 of baseplate 21 1. While anchor 210 is illustrated and described as having a hexagonal shaped nut 250, other polygonal or geometric shapes are possible and contemplated by the present invention and as further disclosed below.

[025] Turning now to FIGS. 9 -1 1 , therein illustrated is a third embodiment of a novel, extended, elongated or“long neck” lag screw anchor assembly according to the present invention, generally designated by reference numeral 310. The anchor 310 includes a preferably radially-extending, disk-like, annular baseplate, flange or washer 31 1 having an upper planar surface 312 and an opposite lower planar surface 313, the latter of which is also preferably welded to the top end of lag screw anchor 316. The so-called“extended” or“long neck” 350 comprises an elongated, hollow tube or collar which is attached at its bottom end, preferably via welding, to the upper surface 312 of flange 311.

[026] The neck 350 is preferably substantially cylindrical, but is not limited to any particular geometrical shape as discussed further below. As shown best in FIG. 11 , long neck 350 has a central bore defined by an inner surface 324 adjacent its open top end which is preferably hexagonal to define an Allen key port, and the lower end of inner surface 324 merges with threaded internal throughbore 326 disposed therebelow. As in the other embodiments, an Allen key tool (not shown) can be inserted into the Allen key port 324 to facilitate and effect its threaded engagement info and from a support structure.

[027] FIG. 12 illustrates a flush bolt anchor assembly 110’ wherein the threaded flush anchor screw 1 16 shown in FIGS. 1 - 5B is replaced by threaded bolt 116'. The threaded bolt 116' would be screwed into and through a support structure until baseplate 111 would abut and lie flush on the top surface of the support structure and its lower end would pass through a throughbore in the support structure to allow a washer 39 and nut 41 to be placed and threaded on bolt 116', and fully tightened to sandwich and securely anchor the support structure between baseplate 1 1 1 and washer 39, as illustrated and discussed herein further below In relation to FIG. 20.

[028] FIG. 13 illustrates a hex head bolt anchor assembly 210’ wherein the threaded screw 216 shown in FIGS. 7 and 8 is replaced by threaded bolt 216'. Here too, the threaded bolt 216' would be screwed into and through a support structure until its baseplate 21 1 would abut and lie flush on the top surface of the support structure and the bolt 216' would pass through the support structure to allow a washer 39 and nut 41 to be placed and threaded thereon to sandwich the support structure between its baseplate 21 1 and washer 39 (not shown).

[029] FIG. 14 illustrates a long neck bolt anchor assembly 310’ wherein the threaded screw 316 is replaced by threaded bolt 316'. Once again the threaded bolt 316' would be screwed into and/or inserted through a support structure until its baseplate 31 1 would abut and lie flush on the top surface (or one side) of the support structure. At the same time, the lower end of bolt 316’ would pass through the bottom (or other side) of the support structure to allow a washer 39 and nut 41 to be placed and threaded thereon to securely anchor the anchor assembly 310' to the support structure, which, in turn, would be sandwiched between base plate 31 1 and the washer 30 and nut 42 (not shown).

[030] Turning now to FIGS. 15A and 15B, therein illustrated are the flush screw anchor of FIGS. 1 - 3 and FIGS 5A and 5B, respectively, positioned above each of which is a leveling assembly or attachment generally designed 410, which, like the flush screw anchors 1 10 of FIGS. 1 - 3 and 5A and 5B, comprises a preferably planar baseplate, flange, washer or leveling head 411 having an upper surface 412, an opposite lower surface 413 and, optionally, an internally threaded central opening 414 extending therethrough.

[031] Additionally, the leveling assembly 410 also includes an at least partially externally-threaded post 416, preferably in the form of a bolt secured at one end to the leveling head 41 1 and extending downwardly from lower surface 413 of leveHng head 411. As shown in FIGS 15A and 15B, the upper portion of bolt 416 includes an axially-extending, internally-threaded central bore 417 which merges with and. is axially-aligned with central opening 414 of leveling head 411. As can be appreciated, bore 417 has a diameter smaller than the external diameter of the externally-threaded bolt 416 which, in turn, is smaller than the diameter of screw 1 16 so it can be threadably received in blind bore 117 thereof.

[032] Bore 1 17 in screw 1 16 is a blind bore having an open top end defined by the bore 114 in flange or baseplate 111 and a closed bottom end 119 in the shaft of screw 116. It is also preferred that screw 116 and baseplate 11 1 are integrally joined to form a one-piece combined anchor and fastener assembly or component. Screw 116 can be secured to baseplate 1 11 via welding, a press-fit connection or by any other fastening means that would insure that screw 116 and baseplate 111 are securely and rigidly fastened together to provide a strong and robust anchor.

[033] FIG. 15B is generally the same as FIG. 15A except that it is based upon the embodiment of FIGS. 5A and 5B, which illustrate a modification of the flush anchor embodiment shown in FIGS. 1-3, wherein a recessed, Allen key port 132 is formed in baseplate 111 which extends therebelow into the upper, externally and enlarged head portion 144 of lag screw flush anchor 110 surrounding central bore 117 to allow an Allen key or other tool (not shown) to be inserted into slot 132 to facilitate turning of the externally- threaded shaft of screw 116 to either screw the anchor 110 into the intended supporting structure or to threadably remove it therefrom if, e.g., it needs to be repositioned in the building supporting structure or otherwise removed.

[034] FIGS. 16A and 16B illustrate the installed positions of the height- adjustable leveling assembly 410 shown in FIGS. 15A and 15B, respectively. In FIG. 16A, the leveling assembly 410 is shown in its lowest possible position with its threaded bolt 416 fully received in the blind bore 117 of the flush screw anchor 110 and with its leveling head 411 abutting the upper surface 112 of anchor baseplate 111. In this position, the leveling head is essentially at a minimum fixed height depending on the height or thickness of the leveling head 411. Conversely, in FIG. 16B, the leveling assembly 410 is shown in an installed but threadably raised position with its threaded bolt 416 only partially received in the blind bore 117 of flush screw anchor 116 so that its leveling head 411 is raised and spaced above the baseplate 111 of anchor 110 to a desired height. For this embodiment which employs an Allen key port 432 in its leveling head 411 , an Allen key or other tool may be inserted into port 432 to facilitate turning of its externally threaded bolt 416 to a raised position as shown or to otherwise remove it. The leveling assembly 410 is provided with a blind bore 417 to allow a fastening bolt 26 to be inserted into the opening 414 and threaded blind bore 417 of post or bolt 416 to thereby, couple an object thereto and, in turn, to the screw or bolt anchor 116, 116' (or 216, 216', 316, 316' when the other hex head or long neck screw or bolt anchors are used instead). Alternatively, the leveling assembly 411 may optionally forego the provision of an opening 414 and blind bore 417 and just be used for leveling purposes, as discussed and illustrated hereinafter.

[035] Turning now to FIGS. 17A, 17B, and 17C, therein illustrated is a further embodiment of the combined anchor, fastening and leveling assembly wherein at least one locking assembly comprising preferably a nut 41 and a washer 39 are interposed between the leveling assembly 410 and the anchor assembly 110, without a Allen key port (FIG. 17A) or with an Allen key port 132 (FIG. 17B and FIG. 17C). As shown in FIG. 17C, when the leveling head 411 of the leveling attachment 410 is set as to its desired height to effect leveling, the nut 41 and washer are tightened down against the baseplate 111 of the flush anchor 110, to lock the leveling head 411 in place.

[036] FIGS. 18 - 20 illustrate the use of several different embodiments of the anchor, fastener and leveling assemblies embodying the present invention for use in the building trade, such as for mounting, leveling and fastening a window or door in a surrounding building frame or other support structure. As shown in the exploded view of FIG. 18, an L-shaped section of a window frame 21 is shown spaced from but adjacent to a bottom plate or support 32 and a jack stud 33 of a building frame 31. Mounted in the side jack stud 33 of the building frame 31 is an anchor baseplate of a type shown in Applicant’s aforementioned., U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 15/852,733, which has a generally rectangular, planar baseplate 10 secured by screws 20 to the inner face of the jack stud 33, with its non-externa!ly-threaded cylindrical post 16 received within a complementarily-configured and dimensioned cylindrical recess in jack stud 33.

[037] A flush screw anchor 1 10 is also shown screwed into the bottom plate 32 of the building frame 31 , so that its baseplate 1 11 abuts the inside surface of bottom plate 32 of building frame 31. A leveling assembly 410 is disposed above each of the anchors 10, 110 such that its threaded bolt 416 is in alignment therebeiow with the internally-threaded blind bore 17, 117 of the cylindrical post 16 of the anchor baseplate assembly 10 and the shaft 116 of flush screw anchor 110, respectively.

[038] At the point of attachment for each respective anchor 10 and 110, the window frame 21 on its lower and upper sections 22, 23 are each provided with a recessed, generally T-shaped throughbore 24 configured and dimensioned to define an enlarged upper well or shelf for receipt of a head of a bolt 26 and washer 27 and a lower elongated bore to accommodate the shaft of the bolt 26 and to allow its insertion into the blind bores 417 of the leveling assemblies 410, respectively, so the bottom sill 22 of the window frame 21 will ultimately lie flush against the anchor leveling heads 411 , with the bottom sill plate 222 and side jamb 23 sandwiched and tightly secured between flanges 411 , and the washers 27 of bolts 26 received in the T-shaped bores of window frame 21. [039] FIG 19 is similar to FIG. 18, but shows the anchor assemblies in a fully mounted or installed operative position. More specifically, each of bolts 416 of the leveling assemblies is threadab!y received in its associated blind bore 17, 117 of the anchor plate assembly 10 and flush screw anchor 1 10, respectively and the leveling heads 411 can be individually rotatably adjusted, as desired until it reaches the appropriate and desired leveling height for supporting the window or door frame 21 in a level fashion, with their leveling heads 411 each abutting the window frame 21. Both leveling assemblies can be provided with a recessed, Alien key port 132 or other tool port to allow a tool such as a screw driver or Alien key to rotate the leveling head 411 up or down as desired in an easy and facile manner to quickly achieve the desired leveling height for supporting the window or door frame 21. Once so achieved, bolt 26 and washer 27 would be inserted into and through the T-shaped bores 24 in the door or window frame 21 with the enlarged head of the bolt 26 and washer 27 resting in the upper enlarged well of the T-shaped throughbore 24 and the shaft of the bolt 26 received through the lower bore portion and into the bore 417 of the bolt 416 which, in turn, is received in the throughbore 17, 1 17 of the anchor baseplate assembly 10 or flush screw anchor 110, respectively. Optionally, where possible, a locking nut 41 and washer 39 could be mounted on the threaded bolt 416 of the leveling assembly 410 between leveling head 41 1 and baseplate 11 , 1 11 , respectively, and tightened to lock the leveling assembly at the desired height as shown in FIG. 17C.

[040] As can be appreciated from FIG. 19, anchors 10, 1 10 and the leveling assembly 410 serve to waterproof the assembly and protect the support structure from leaks. This is particularly important at the point of attachment of the window or door frames 21 to the supporting building frame structure 31. Since each of bores 17, 1 17, 417 is a blind bore or hole having a closed bottom end 19, 119, 419, the potential path of any water that could conceivably penetrate into and between the window frames 21 , and into the building frame 31 is blocked. Thus, blind bores 17, 117, 417 serves two purposes: (1) they provide a strong, sturdy and rigid anchoring support point for the window or door to be mounted to the framing or other support structure, and (2) they prevent water from penetrating via the central bore 17, 117, 417 into and below the windows 31 and framing 32 or other support structure as a result of blind bores 17, 117, 417 and the bottom end 19, 119, 419 being closed.

[041] Finally, FIG. 20 shows two alternative embodiments of the anchor assemblies for use in mounting a window or door in a building frame or structure in an exploded view comparable to FIG. 18. An anchor baseplate 10' with an externally-threaded bolt 16' is shown in place of the anchor baseplate 10 with the smooth cylindrical post 16. This embodiment would be used where the installer had ready access to the outer face of the building frame to enable mounting of the washer 39 and nut 41 on the end of the threaded post 16' projecting out of the building jack stud 33. It too has an internal inner threaded blind bore 17 for receipt of the threaded bolt 416 of the leveling attachment 410. The leveling attachment 410 also has a threaded bore 417 for receipt of the threaded shaft of bolt 26 received through throughbore 24, with its head and washer 27 resting on the enlarged bore head of the T-shaped bore 24. On the other hand, the flush screw anchor 110 is screwed into the bottom plate 32 of the building frame 31 is the same manner as shown in FIG. 18, but the leveling assembly 410' has a baseplate 41 T joined to an externally-threaded post or bolt 416' which does not have an internal blind bore as it is not used for fastening the window or door frame 21 to the building frame 31. Rather, it is just used to level the window or door frame 21 with its leveling head 411' abutting the bottom or outer face of the window or door frame 21 at the desired height to effect leveling thereof.

[042] Depending on the size of the window frame 21 , multiple anchor assemblies may be utilized and their exact size and placement will depend on the application. It should also be noted that the other anchor assemblies shown in FIGS. 1 - 14, not illustrated in FIGS. 15 - 20 may also be used in a similar manner with either of the above-noted leveling assemblies for these and other suitable applications.

[043] It should also be noted that as used herein, "means for leveling” refers to and includes other mechanical means for leveling, shimming, aligning, guiding, supporting, stabilizing and adjusting the positioning of an object (e.g., a window or door) relative to a support structure or the like (e.g., a building frame) for a better fit or to provide a level surface or one which is plumb and square.

[044] As can also be appreciated from the foregoing, the materials of the anchor leveling assemblies, their number, their specific dimensions, shape, threading configuration and size, etc., depend on the application and the surrounding building material, such as metal, wood, concrete or some other composite. For most applications, the baseplate is preferably circular-shaped, although other regular or irregular shapes or non-planar configurations could be used for certain applications. Similarly, it is anticipated that the types of fasteners, screws or bolts, will also be chosen to be compatible with the supporting surfaces. Also, the elements of the various embodiments may be substituted for one another where appropriate. Furthermore, while the various parts of the anchor assemblies are preferably made of stainless steel, they could be made of other materials or metals, such as, for example, aluminum, bronze, or metal, carbon fiber or ceramic alloys, and plastic.

[045] As noted above, the size of the anchors and parts thereof can be made larger or smaller depending upon the specific application. One suitable size found particularly useful for a number of applications is for the anchor to have an external diameter of 1/2" with the bore having a diameter of 3/8". The ieveling assembly bolts, in turn, have a smaller diameter than the blind bores of the support anchors so they can be threadably installed therein. Similarly, the blind bores of the Ieveling assembly bolts would be even smaller to allow a bolt to be received therein.

[046] Similarly, the length of the long or extended neck may be in any useful range and typically may be between approximately 0.10 inch and 2.5 inches, but preferably 1 0 inch. The height or length of long neck is dimensioned to generally conform to the width of the sheathing or other structure from which it extends so as to provide a flush mount, or it may advantageously have a length that is shorter or longer than the width of the sheathing or other structure for other applications, if so desired.

[047] it should be noted that, aside from the Allen key and screwdriver slot other means or other configured tool ports could instead be used to assist the user in screwing in and/or removing the anchor assemblies to, or from, a building support. For example, the tool ports could be configured to receive other known tools used for fastening and/or unfastening, such as Torx drive, Phillips head, or star bit tools which may utilize other shapes, e.g., pan head, round, oval, etc. for the tool port. [048] Accordingly, while particular embodiments of the invention have been described, it is not intended that the invention be limited thereto, as it is intended that the invention be as broad in scope as the prior art will allow and that the specification be read likewise. It will therefore be appreciated by those skilled in the art that other modifications could be made thereto without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention