Static structures (e.g. – buildings) – Composite prefabricated panel including adjunctive means – Sandwich or hollow with sheet-like facing members
Reexamination Certificate
1999-10-01
2001-11-06
Cuomo, Peter M. (Department: 3636)
Static structures (e.g., buildings)
Composite prefabricated panel including adjunctive means
Sandwich or hollow with sheet-like facing members
C052S786130
Reexamination Certificate
active
06311455
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to insulated glass and more particularly to spacers and muntins used within insulated glass.
Insulated glass is well known and widely used in a variety of applications such as doorlights. Insulated glass includes a pair of panes or panels of glass separated by a spacer. Typically, the spacer is aluminum and extends around the perimeter of the assembly, defining a space between the glass panes. The panels are adhered and sealed to the spacer to secure the assembly together. A desiccant is included within the spacer to absorb moisture within the insulated glass space. The space may be filled with an inert gas to enhance the insulation effect.
Often a muntin or grille also is included within the insulated glass. Typically, such an “internal” muntin is aluminum and is positioned between the panes within the confines of the spacer to provide an aesthetically pleasing appearance to the window. Such a construction is illustrated, for example, in U.S. Pat. No. 3,308,593, issued Mar. 14, 1967 to Smith and entitled “Panel For Inclusion In A Unit To Be Installed In A Building Opening.” Unfortunately, the inclusion of the muntin is relatively expensive and labor intensive. Care must be taken during the manufacture of the muntin and the assembly of the insulated glass to ensure that the muntin is properly fabricated and positioned within the assembly. Aesthetics are important to the commercial success of the insulated glass.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The aforementioned problems are overcome in the present invention wherein a spacer unit is provided that is a one-piece, integral unit including both a spacer portion and a muntin portion. The spacer unit may be fabricated, for example, of injection-molded plastic. The spacer portion is continuous and extends around the entire perimeter of the insulated glass. The muntin portion is integral with the spacer. The glass panels are adhered to the spacer portion. The muntin portion is suspended within the space between the glass panels, and the muntin portion is spaced from the glass panels.
The present invention produces an insulated glass with an internal muntin that is simpler and less expensive than prior art insulated glass. It also provides improved aesthetic and functional benefits. The seal of the glass panels to the spacer is enhanced at the corner because the spacer portion is continuous at the corners. The spacing of the muntin portion from the glass panels reduces “rattling.” Molding the spacer and muntin of plastic and spacing the muntins from the glass reduces thermal transmission through the insulated glass. Because the product includes a plastic spacer, it is less likely to generate condensation than prior art assemblies using aluminum spacers. Further, because the muntin is integral with the spacer, assembly joints are eliminated to enhance aesthetics.
These and other objects, advantages, and features of the invention will be more fully understood and appreciated by reference to the detailed description of the preferred embodiment and the drawings.
REFERENCES:
patent: 3308593 (1967-03-01), Smith
patent: 4198254 (1980-04-01), Laroche et al.
patent: 4204015 (1980-05-01), Wardlaw et al.
patent: 4358490 (1982-11-01), Nagai
patent: 4652472 (1987-03-01), Davies
patent: 5295292 (1994-03-01), Leopold
patent: 5313761 (1994-05-01), Leopold
patent: 5315797 (1994-05-01), Glover et al.
patent: 5361476 (1994-11-01), Leopold
patent: 5436040 (1995-07-01), Lafond
patent: 5447761 (1995-09-01), Lafond
patent: 5494715 (1996-02-01), Glover
patent: 5514428 (1996-05-01), Kunert
patent: 5533314 (1996-07-01), Kunert
patent: 5678377 (1997-10-01), Leopold
patent: 5851627 (1998-12-01), Farbstein
patent: 5862645 (1999-01-01), Lee
Cuomo Peter M.
Fisher Michael J.
ODL Incorporated
Warner & Norcross & Judd LLP
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