Static structures (e.g. – buildings) – Window or window sash – sill – mullion – or glazing – Attaching means securing a pane to a sash member or to...
Reexamination Certificate
2001-11-15
2004-01-20
Friedman, Carl D. (Department: 3635)
Static structures (e.g., buildings)
Window or window sash, sill, mullion, or glazing
Attaching means securing a pane to a sash member or to...
C052S204530, C052S204660, C052S749100
Reexamination Certificate
active
06679013
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates generally to commercial, residential and architectural windows and, more particularly, to a window, door or skylight sash assembly with hinged glazing components, such as integral glazing beads, and methods for manufacturing the same.
DESCRIPTION OF THE RELATED ART
As is currently well known in the art, insulating glass units, or IG units, are widely used as elements of windows, skylights, doors and related products, including vehicles. Such units are used to reduce heat loss from building interiors in winter, and reduce heat gain into air-conditioned buildings in summer. The insulating glass units are typically formed separately from the sash, and then in a separate step the insulating glass unit is installed in a sash.
Alternative methods for manufacturing insulating glass structures, where the IG unit is formed integrally with the sash itself, are disclosed in J. France U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/307,825 ('825) filed on May 7, 1999, entitled “Integrated Multipane Window Unit and Sash Assembly and Method for Manufacturing the Same”, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,286,288, corresponding to PCT published application WO 00/68539 dated Nov. 16, 2000; J. France U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/907,528 filed on Jul. 17, 2001, entitled “Integrated Multipane Window Unit and Sash Assembly and Method for Manufacturing the Same”; and R. Hornung et al. U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/882,295 ('295) filed on Jun. 15, 2001, entitled “Insulating Glass Sash Assemblies with Adhesive Mounting and Spacing Structures”; all incorporated herein by reference. In addition to providing a comprehensive explanation of the prior art, the aforementioned '825 patent application discloses an improved but less complex insulating glass structure that is integrated with the window sash.
More particularly, the aforementioned '825 patent application discloses a multipane window unit in which a sash frame is formed having an integral spacing structure upon which glazing panes are directly affixed. The integral spacing structure provides vertical internal glazing surfaces extending from the sash. Adhesive can be affixed to the vertical internal glazing surfaces to attach the glazing panes. In this manner, a rigid, structural sash frame is formed prior to attachment of the glazing panes, thereby eliminating the need for using separately manufactured insulating glass units, while obtaining similar and improved thermal benefits.
Further improvements to insulating glass structures for use in windows, doors and the like, while incorporating the basic concept of the aforementioned '825 patent application, i.e., the provision of a sash and IG unit in an integrated structure, can be found in the aforementioned '295 patent application. In addition to providing a comprehensive explanation of the prior art, the '295 patent application discloses an improved but less complex insulating glass structure that is integrated with the window sash. In particular, the '295 application discloses, inter alia, an integrated insulating glass and sash structure where parallel glass panes are directly mounted to and supported on the sash by an adhesive mounting or an adhesive mounting and spacing structure.
Advantageously, such an adhesive can be applied to the sash directly in the form of a bead, such as a bead of sealant which can also function as the spacer element between the glass panes. Alternatively, the adhesive can be co-extruded (or post-extruded) with the sash profile. Still further, the adhesive can comprise an integrated, single component desiccated sealant-adhesive glazing material. In a particularly advantageous embodiment, this material can be pre-formed into a variety of shapes and sizes, thereby providing, when adhered to the sash profile, an integrated sash/glazing mechanism. Methods for assembling multipane window units using the disclosed adhesive spacing and mounting structure are also disclosed.
Another reference indicative of the current state of the art for window technology is represented by U.S. Pat. No. 5,713,159 ('159), issued in the name of Schmidt, in which lineal plastic material comprises multiple components extruded as a single piece and secured to one another by at least one wall formed in the lineal material. As shown in FIG. 2 of the Schmidt patent, one component 3 is provided with a recess 17 and another of the components 9 has a leg which, upon separation of the components at the wall, fits into the recess 17 of the one component 3 to provide a mated component system. The Schmidt patent refers to a generic panel securing system with a removable and/or separable construction of components for holding the glazing pane 11. A unit and process is described and illustrated in which the components must be separated prior to securing the panel. This process is cumbersome and requires additional labor, trimming of excess or edge torn material, and does not guarantee a rapid (streamlined) fitting of the holding (securing) component to the main component.
Consequently, a need has arisen for an improved but less complex mechanism that provides a window sash incorporating a thermally sealed and structurally sealed air pocket bounded on two sides by a glazing pane, for use in otherwise conventional functioning windows.
It is noted that although the invention is described using glass panes, panes of other materials can be substituted. Such panes can comprise, for example, clear or frosted plastic, such as Plexiglas, tempered glass, safety glass, security glass, privacy glass, or any other known glazing material.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
According to the invention, a window sash frame member is provided for constructing a window sash. A length of sash frame member has first and second spaced side walls joined by an inner facing frame surface extending substantially over the length of the sash frame member. A first glazing bead extends substantially over the length of the sash frame member and is hingedly attached to at least one of (i) the first side wall of the sash member, or (ii) said inner facing frame surface.
The first glazing bead can comprise, for example, a first side leg having first and second opposite ends, with the first end of the side leg hingedly and integrally connected to the sash frame member. The second end of the side leg is adapted to cover a peripheral portion of a glazing pane situated adjacent to the inner facing frame surface when the glazing bead is pivoted about the hinged connection toward the glazing pane. In one embodiment, the glazing bead includes an integral setting block extending in a transverse direction to the first side leg. The integral setting block can, for example, extend in a substantially perpendicular direction to the first side leg.
A first locking member can be disposed on the first side leg, with a second locking member disposed on the sash frame member. The first and second locking members cooperate to lock the glazing bead to the sash frame member with the second end covering the peripheral portion. In an example embodiment, the first locking member comprises a locking lug projecting from the first side leg between the first and second ends of the side leg, and the second locking member comprises a locking notch adapted to securely receive and grip the locking lug. Alternatively, the second locking member can comprise a locking lug projecting from the sash frame member, with the first locking member comprising a locking notch between the first and second ends. It should be appreciated that other locking member embodiments including snap, lug, ratchet or adhesive arrangements can also be provided in accordance with the invention.
A second glazing bead can also be provided. For example, the second glazing bead can extend substantially over the length of the sash frame member and be hingedly attached to at least one of (i) the second side wall of the sash member, or (ii) the inner facing frame surface. The first and second glazing beads can each comprise a side
Friedman Carl D.
Katcheves Basil
Lipsitz Barry R.
Sashlite, LLC
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