Resistant window systems

Details Resistant window systems Resistant window systems

1999-09-23

2002-12-24

Barfield, Anthony D. (Department: 3636)

Static structures (e.g., buildings)

Auxiliary imperforate panel-like shield attached to main...

C052S173100, C049S057000

Reexamination Certificate

active

06497077

ABSTRACT:

FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention is in the field of resistant window systems providing improved protection for individuals and equipment against respective injury and damage by fragments of the window pane flying into the protected structure. The invention is also concerned with some specific mechanisms for use in conjunction with blast resistant window systems in accordance with the invention. The term “window” refers to a variety of window types, e.g. swingable/tiltable casement windows, fixed windows, curtain walls, etc.
Hereinafter in the specification and claims, the terms “window” and “windows” are interchangeably used with door and doors, respectively.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Casement windows typically comprise a rectangular framework consisting of a frame anchored within an opening in a wall and sash swingably mounted thereon with locking means preventing unintending opening thereof. Casement windows are either or both swingable inwards or outwards and at times, are also tiltable.
Fixed windows are those windows wherein the framework is fixed within an opening in a wall and which are not capable of swinging or tilting about one or more axis. Sliding windows are those windows which are slidingly received and concealed within an opening in the wall or, alternatively, slidable along a suitable railing parallel to the wall.
Curtain walls are those glass panels which are used, in particular, for decoration and concealing structural elements of buildings, creating a building's envelope. Curtain walls also protect the building structure from weather effects and damage. The design and construction of curtain walls is such that vertical loads are not transferred between floors of a building.
The present invention is directed to all types of windows and doors and accordingly, the terms “window sash” and “window frame” may be used alternatively, depending on the context and the type of window or door described.
Curtain walls are nowadays often used. Such curtain walls are constructed of large glass panes supported to transversely extending frame members (referred to in the art as mullions and transums), enveloping the construction of a building and providing a pleasing and esthetic appearance of the building.
Windows which are designed to resist blasts caused, for example, by an explosion, are so designed such that the window frame and window sash remain in place although, deformation thereof is allowed up to a certain extent. In some cases, the window pane may detach from the frame at low energy, so as not to fly into the room. In such windows, the window pane itself is blast resistant too and is typically, although not explicitly, made of several layers of glass with reinforcing material embedded therebetween, such as, for example, flexible polymeric material. Generally, blast resistant windows are designed also to prevent noxious gases from entering a confined room space.
Several patents deal with reinforcing means for ensuring that the window sash remains in place during a blast. Other patents deal with methods for reinforcing the window pane. Such reinforcing may be by embedding suitable wiring or elastomeric material.
However, during a blast, the glass component of the window pane breaks, and although remains attached to the reinforcing layers of the window pane, the entire window deforms and might forcefully disengage from the supporting window sash and fly into the room, causing severe damage to equipment or injury to personnel within that room.
It is an object of the present invention to provide blast resistant window systems in which the window pane is prevented from blowing forcefully into the room upon an external blast or upon applying kinetic energy thereto, e.g. by crowds pushing against the window pane or by ballistic impact such as bullets or shrapnel of bombs. This main object is achieved by absorbing the deformation and displacement of the window pane in a direction perpendicular to the window pane and converting it into mechanical energy which is either dampened or, preferably, wasted e.g. by converting it into heat or mechanical work. The wasted and dampened energy is transferred to the window framework (window sash or window frame or frame members in case of a curtain wall) or to construction elements of the building, e.g. wall or columns, by a suitable energy dispensing system.
The term “energy dispensing device” used hereinafter in the specification and claims denotes any mechanical arrangement or mechanism suitable for converting one form of mechanical energy into another form e.g. displacement work into heat or into other mechanical work such as plastic deformation, elastic deformation, sheer, etc.
As already pointed out hereinabove, the present invention is applicable to any type and form of window or door, mutatis mutandis.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In accordance with a first aspect of the present invention there is provided a blast resistant window system fitted with an energy dispensing device.
In accordance with a first aspect of the present invention there is provided a blast resistant window system comprising a reinforced window pane defining an in-side and an out-side and being supported by a window framework for mounting at an opening in a wall; the window system characterized in that it further comprises at least one pane-engaging member transversely extending adjacent an in-side surface of the window pane and secured at respective ends thereof to opposite framework elements or to opposite wall portions; each of the at least one pane-engaging member is fitted with at least one energy dispensing device for converting axial force within the pane-engaging member into mechanical work.
The energy dispensing device may be a separate device or may constitute a component of the framework.
In accordance with a preferred embodiment the window is a casement window and the framework comprises a sash mounted on a window frame fixed at the opening in the wall; the at least one pane-engaging member being secured to and extending between either or both pairs of top and bottom rails, and hanging and shutting stiles of the window sash. By a modification, when the window constitutes part of a curtain wall, the framework comprises a plurality of substantially transversely extending frame members, and wherein the at least one pane-engaging member is secured to respective such frame members.
Where the window constitutes part of a curtain wall, at least some of the pane-engaging member may extend within frame members whilst other pane-engaging members extend transversely across the window pane. This arrangement provides also improve reinforcement of the frame members of the curtain wall. This arrangement may be applied also to other types of windows, as can be readily realized.
The pane-engaging member is typically a cable or cord made for example of steel wire, advanced technology material such as complex material, etc. retaining their flexibility.
In accordance with any of the above embodiments, the at least one energy dispensing device may be fitted anywhere along the respective pane-engaging member or (instead or in addition) at or adjacent respective ends thereof.
At least some of the one or more energy dispensing devices may be concealed within the sash or window frame member (in case of casement windows etc.) or within the frame members (in case of a curtain wall).
The energy dispensing device is adapted for wasting mechanical energy and converting it into different forms of energy for preventing the window pane from flying into the protected room. This may be achieved by directing the energy to the framework of the window. Alternatively, the energy dispensing device is adapted for dampening the energy and wasting it in a different form, e.g. heat or elastic, gained energy.
By one preferred embodiment, the energy dispensing device is adapted for converting axial displacement of the pane-engaging member into plastic deformation or into mechanical sheer. By one specific design, the energy dispensing device may be part of the framework. In ac

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