Static structures (e.g. – buildings) – Window or window sash – sill – mullion – or glazing – Spacing pane from disparate edging
Reexamination Certificate
1999-12-07
2001-02-06
Kent, Christopher Todd (Department: 3635)
Static structures (e.g., buildings)
Window or window sash, sill, mullion, or glazing
Spacing pane from disparate edging
C052S098000, C052S100000, C049S501000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06182406
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to building structures, and, more particularly, to glass doors and windows resistant to high winds, such as hurricane force winds.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Various windows and glass doors have been developed in an effort to avoid the type of structural damage that may result from high winds, as may be experienced in a hurricane. For example, as a result of the widespread destruction caused by hurricane Andrew, new standards have been proposed in certain southern Florida counties to provide stronger windows and doors to decrease the damage to associated structures during severe storms. The glass used in wind resistant windows and doors is typically a laminated glass panel and includes at least one plastic reinforcing layer and one or more glass layers.
The new standard basically requires that the glass panel in the window or door absorb a first blow from an end of a wood 2×4 (weighing 9 lbs.) striking the center at 34 miles per hour. A second similar blow is directed to a corner area of the glass panel. Consequently, the glass panel is cracked but a large portion of the glass is retained in position to close the opening by a reinforcing plastic layer. Only a relatively small effective opening may be formed in the cracked glass panel by the 2×4 strikes. The window or door is next subjected to a pressure cycling test where positive and negative pressures are applied sequentially. A typical test would be 9,000 cycles of 75 lbs./sq. foot and −80 lbs./sq. foot. Positive indicates that the pressure is greater on the exterior of the window or door, and negative pressure indicates that the pressure on the interior of the window or door is greater. During the pressure cycling testing, the plastic film and glass in the glass panel becomes a sail and can exert relatively large forces on the window or door sash and frame members.
Unfortunately, if the window or glass door fails completely, pressures can be generated internal to the structure that may be sufficiently high to cause damage. For example, a portion or all of the roof may be blown from the structure. High quality windows and glass doors, such as those offered by Pella, for example, typically include a wood frame and wood sash and an exterior aluminum cladding material. The wood frame and sash are especially attractive, and can be shaped and painted to achieve a variety of pleasant designs.
However, the possibility of the wood window or glass door failing is further enhanced because the wood styles and rails of the sash, for example, are typically relatively thin. Thus, the problems with addressing the above mentioned hurricane standards are especially difficult for high quality wood windows and wood glass doors. One approach to absorb the flexing or movement of the glass panel when subjected to the pressure cycling is to include a relatively large body of sealant material at the interface between the interior wood sash and the glass panel. Unfortunately, the sealant material has a tendency to protrude at the interface. In addition, the sealant material typically may have a different color and/or texture than the adjacent wood. Accordingly, the pleasing aesthetic appearance of the wood sash is overshadowed by the unsightly mass of sealant material.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In view of the foregoing background, it is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a high quality wood door or window that is resistant to hurricane force winds, yet which provides a pleasing appearance consistent with the quality of the wood sash.
It is another object of the invention to provide a method for increasing the resistance of high quality wood glass doors and/or windows to such winds while providing a pleasing appearance consistent with the quality of the wood sash.
These and other objects, features and advantages in accordance with the present invention are provided by a window or door having a wood sash that carries a reinforced transparent glass and/or plastic panel. The wood sash preferably includes a body portion and an integrally formed aesthetic sacrificial member extending outwardly therefrom to contact the reinforced transparent panel at an interface therewith. The body portion is spaced from an adjacent portion of the reinforced transparent panel to define a cavity beneath the sacrificial member. A body of sealant material is in the cavity, and the aesthetic sacrificial member covers the sealant material from view. The aesthetic sacrificial member thus provides an attractive part of the wood sash, but can readily crack or fracture from the body portion to thereby permit the reinforced transparent panel to move slightly within the wood sash to thereby absorb the energy of the pressure cycling as may occur in a hurricane, for example. The sealant material permits the reinforced transparent panel to move within the wood sash, but remain carried by the wood sash to thereby reduce the likelihood of a catastrophic failure, such as the reinforced transparent panel coming completely out of the wood sash.
The aesthetic sacrificial member extends along the interior interface to hide the sealant material from view, and also to provide a smooth surface for painting. The aesthetic sacrificial member is preferably in the form of a lip which presses against the reinforced transparent panel, and which also serves to define the cavity. The cavity defined below the aesthetic sacrificial member is preferably sufficiently large to support a relatively large amount of sealant material to withstand the forces described above.
Another aspect of the invention relates to a method for making a window or glass door including the aesthetic sacrificial member as described above. The method preferably includes forming a wood sash to have a body portion and an integrally formed aesthetic sacrificial member extending outwardly to contact at least one reinforced transparent panel at an interface therewith. The body portion is spaced from an adjacent portion of the reinforced transparent panel to define a cavity beneath the sacrificial member. The method may further include the step of positioning sealant material within the cavity. The sealant material is covered from view by the aesthethic sacrificial member. The aesthetic sacrificial member fractures from the body portion during hurricane force winds to permit the reinforced transparent panel to move within the wood sash to absorb energy of pressure cycling that occurs during hurricane force winds.
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Marvin Research
Allen Dyer Doppelt Milbrath & Gilchrist, P.A.
Kent Christopher Todd
Robert Hunt Corporation, U.S.A.
Thissell Jennifer I.
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