Static structures (e.g. – buildings) – Composite prefabricated panel including adjunctive means – Sandwich or hollow with sheet-like facing members
Reexamination Certificate
2002-03-29
2004-05-18
Friedman, Carl D. (Department: 3637)
Static structures (e.g., buildings)
Composite prefabricated panel including adjunctive means
Sandwich or hollow with sheet-like facing members
C052S786130, C052S455000, C052S456000, C052S311100, C052S204593, C052S314000, C428S034000, C428S038000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06735922
ABSTRACT:
I. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to glazing units and more particularly to a glazing panel and an insulated assembly thereof.
2. Description of the Prior Art
The use of traditionally decorative architectural windows, door windows, side lights and the like is known. Usually, these components have been made from relatively thick blocks, which are expensive and require an important amount of skilled labor. Furthermore, these architectural components have obvious disadvantages due to mechanical and thermal properties of the glass. Glass has reduced impact resistance, especially when deep grooves are used, and high heat transfer, especially when a single layer is used.
Attempts have been made in the past to replace the above structures with thermoplastic panels, which incorporate decorative features that simulate the appearance of traditional units. Thus, U.S. Pat. No. 6,250,027 dated Jun. 26, 2001 and granted to Richards for a “Glazing element”, describes a glazing assembly including two panels of glass held at a predetermined distance by spacer bars positioned along and between the opposing inner edge portions of the panels. A laminar element made of plastic deformable material and provided with elevated and recessed portions is positioned between the two panels of glass, before they are assembled. The laminar element has its elevated portions close or in contact with the internal surface of one of the two panels. The glazing assembly comprising the laminar element, two panels of glass and the spacer bars and is sealed in a known way using a standard sealer. Richards glazing element can be characterized by two important shortcomings. First, due to the use of five elements, the assembly has a complex structure. Second, the spacer bars require a relative large width to accommodate the height of the laminar element and an air space for insulation behind this laminar element. U.S. Pat. No. 6,177,156 dated Jan. 23, 2001 and granted to Glover et al. for “Simulated divided light windows” discloses a first window assembly comprising a an inner and outer rigid glazing panels spaced less than 10 mm. A first vertical strip of adhesive tape of material is applied to the cavity surface of the inner glazing panel. To create a grid pattern, horizontal strips are applied at right angles to the first vertical strip. A second vertical strip of adhesive strip material is applied to the cavity surface of the outer glazing panel. The second vertical strip of adhesive tape material coincides with the first vertical strip. Horizontal strips are similarly applied to the second vertical strip. Other different strip patterns can be used. A second window assembly uses extruded plastic profiles. This second window assembly comprises an inner and outer glazing panels and a central glazing panel. The three glazing panels are spaced less than 10 mm apart. A decorative grid pattern made from plastic tape material is applied to the central glazing panel. Extruded plastic profiles, which are in coincidental alignment with the decorative grid pattern, are applied to external surfaces of inner and outer glazing panels. Glove's and al. windows are characterized by two main disadvantages. First, the window assembly uses a grid pattern attached to the internal surfaces of an inner and outer glazing panel. Thus, a limited degree of simulation is obtained. Second, the use of an internal grid pattern and an external system of extruded plastic profiles renders the structure of the window more complicated, while the simulation of the latter is not greatly enhanced. U.S. Pat. No. 6,138,433 dated Oct. 31, 2001 and granted to Ridge for an “Insulated glass unit window assembly including decorative thermoplastic sheet and method of forming” describes a decorative window assembly including a pair of spaced apart, opposed glass panels. A spacer member joins the latter along their peripheral edges and functions as a seal and a connector. A decorative thermoplastic panel having a three-dimensional decorative pattern is disposed in a chamber formed between the pair of opposed glass panels. The decorative thermoplastic panel is, preferably, attached to either of the glass panels, but it can be secured in place by spacers or end clips. The use of three panels for a window assembly renders Ridge's structure complicated. Furthermore, the use of a non-secured decorative thermoplastic panel leads to positional changes, which negatively affect the appearance of the simulated pattern. Finally, the use of spacers or clips for attaching the decorative thermoplastic panel is detrimental to the simplicity of the window assembly. U.S. Pat. No. 5,622,019 dated Apr. 22, 1997 and granted to Dorough, Jr. for a “Simulated glass-block structure” discloses a window assembly comprising two panels. Each panel includes a wavy surface on one side, a grid pattern on the other side and peripheral edges. The two panels are mounted in a rectangular window frame. The latter includes four separate frame pieces; each having two separated longitudinal slots for receiving and supporting the peripheral edges of the two panels. A spacer structure is interposed between the two panels. The former comprises a plurality of vertically and horizontally disposed spacers. Each spacer has a width approximately equal to the distance between the two panels. The spacer structure forms a grid corresponding to the shape and position of the grid pattern. Three main disadvantages are present in the above structure. First, besides the grid pattern, a spacer structure coincidental with the grid pattern is required. Thus, the window assembly is more expensive. Second, the window assembly is not airtight. Third, each frame piece requires two parallel, longitudinal slots for receiving the peripheral edges of the two panels. U.S. Pat. No. 5,079,886 dated Jan. 14, 1992 and granted to Downs for a “Decorative panel” relates to a planar glass panel combined with a decorative panel. The latter is constructed of plastic or other resilient material and secured in adjacent abutting relationship to either the outer or inner (or both) surfaces of the planar glass panel. A sealant or adhesive is used. The decorative panel can have a variety of profiles. Upon attaching with a sealant or adhesive of the decorative panel to a surface of the planar glass panel, a layer of air is trapped between them. Two shortcomings characterize Downs's panel. First, the layer of air is discontinued by the direct contact of the plurality of recessed portions of the decorative panel to the surface of the planar glass panel. Another shortcoming consists in the fact that the decorative panel is attached to either the outer or inner (or both) surfaces of the planar glass panel. When use is made of one decorative panel attached to one side of the planar glass panel, the simulation of an installed glass block is clearly seen only on one side. When a decorative panel is installed on each side of the planar glass panel, the decorative panel assembly will include three panels and a discontinued layer of air on each side of the planar glass panel.
The inventors believe that the cited patents taken alone or in combination neither anticipate nor render obvious the present invention. The foregoing citation of patents does not constitute an admission that they are relevant or material to the claimed subject matter. Rather, the cited patents relate only to the general field of the invention and are presented as constituting the closest art of which the inventors are aware.
II. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Based on the analysis of the cited prior art, there is a need for a glazing panel and an insulated assembly thereof which eliminate or, at least, alleviate the foregoing shortcoming and disadvantages.
Thus, a first objective of the present invention is to provide a glazing panel and an insulated assembly thereof made of thermoplastic material, which are reliable and, as a direct result of comparatively lower material and labor costs, allow to reduce the tota
Friedman Carl D.
Kaufman Frederick
Nguyen Chi Q.
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