Integrated window sash

• US 20050028460A1
• Filed: 06/23/2004
• Published: 02/10/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 06/23/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: PPG Industries Ohio Incorporated (Nouryon BV)
• Original Assignee: PPG Industries Ohio Incorporated (Nouryon BV)
• Inventors: Steffek, Cory D., Rosskamp, Barent A., Crandell, Stephen L., Arbab, Mehran, Klingensmith, William, Davis, William B., Gallagher, Raymond G.
• Granted Patent: US 7,490,445 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 52/204.500
• CPC Class Codes: E06B 2003/6638 with coatings
• CPC Class Codes: E06B 3/24 specially adapted for double glazing separable parts for securing panes E06B3/64
• CPC Class Codes: E06B 3/5481 by means of discrete fixing elements, e.g. glazing clips, glaziers points
• CPC Class Codes: E06B 3/56 by means of putty, cement, or adhesives only E06B3/64 E06B3/5427 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: E06B 3/6604 comprising false glazing bars or similar decorations between the panes connectors therefor E06B3/6675
• CPC Class Codes: E06B 3/66361 with special structural provisions for holding drying agents, e.g. packed in special containers
• CPC Class Codes: E06B 3/667 Connectors therefor
• CPC Class Codes: E06B 3/677 Evacuating or filling the gap between the panes ; Equilibration of inside and outside pressure; Preventing condensation in the gap between the panes by means of spacing elements E06B3/663; Cleaning the gap between the panes
• CPC Class Codes: E06B 3/96 Corner joints or edge joints for windows, doors, or the like frames or wings E06B3/663 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: E06B 3/9608 Mitre joints

Abstract

An integrated window sash includes a sash frame having a first sheet supporting surface, a second sheet supporting surface spaced from the first sheet supporting surface, and a base between the first and second sheet supporting surfaces, the base defining an opening; a first sheet having a first major surface and an opposite second major surface with marginal edge portions of the first surface of the first sheet secured to the first sheet supporting surface, the first sheet sized to pass through the opening toward the first sheet supporting surface; a second sheet having a first major surface and an opposite second major surface with marginal edge portions of the first surface of the second sheet secured to the second sheet supporting surface, the second sheet sized to be larger than the opening, wherein the first major surface of the second sheet faces the second major surface of the first sheet and is spaced therefrom to provide a compartment between the sheets; and a retainer mounted on the base between the sheets and having a first end portion engaging surface portions of the second surface of the first sheet and an opposite second end portion secured to the base.

Claims

1. An integrated window sash, comprising:

a sash frame having a first sheet supporting surface, a second sheet supporting surface spaced from the first sheet supporting surface, and a base between the first and second sheet supporting surfaces, the base defining an opening;

a first sheet having a first major surface and an opposite second major surface with marginal edge portions of the first surface of the first sheet secured to the first sheet supporting surface, the first sheet sized to pass through the opening toward the first sheet supporting surface;

a second sheet having a first major surface and an opposite second major surface with marginal edge portions of the first surface of the second sheet secured to the second sheet supporting surface, the second sheet sized to be larger than the opening, wherein the first major surface of the second sheet faces the second major surface of the first sheet and is spaced therefrom to provide a compartment between the sheets; and

a retainer mounted on the base between the sheets and having a first end portion engaging surface portions of the second surface of the first sheet and an opposite second end portion secured to the base.

2. The integrated window sash according to claim 1, wherein the first end of the retainer has a shape selected from a step to engage a corner of the first sheet and an elongated end to engage the marginal edge portion of the second surface of the first sheet.

3. The integrated window sash according to claim 1, further comprising a first layer of an adhesive sealant having a low gas and moisture permeability securing the marginal edge portions of the first surface of the first sheet to the first sheet supporting surface, a second layer of an adhesive sealant having low gas and moisture permeability securing the marginal edge portions of the first surface of the second sheet to the second sheet supporting surface, and a barrier layer over a surface of the base facing the compartment, wherein the barrier layer is a material having a low gas and moisture permeability to resist the movement of gas and moisture into and/or out of the compartment through the base.

4. The integrated window sash according to claim 1, further comprising a desiccating medium carried on the base of the sash frame and communicating with the compartment, the base and the desiccating medium defining an interior opening in the sash frame wherein the first sheet is sized to pass through the interior opening to the first sheet supporting surface without contacting the desiccating medium, and further wherein the base has a groove with an opening facing the compartment and the desiccating medium is in the groove.

5. The integrated window sash according to claim 1, further comprising a lattice made of muntin bars in the compartment, the lattice having end portions adjacent to and spaced from the base, and a retainer clip having a first end portion connected to an end portion of the lattice and the opposite second end portion having a compressible base, the compressible base in surface contact with the second major surface of the first sheet and the first major surface of the second sheet to retain the lattice in position in the compartment.

6. An integrated window sash, comprising:

a sash frame having a first sheet supporting surface, a second sheet supporting surface spaced from the first sheet supporting surface, and a base between the first and second sheet supporting surfaces, the base defining an opening;

a first sheet having a first major surface and an opposite second major surface with marginal edge portions of the first surface of the first sheet secured to the first sheet supporting surface, the first sheet sized to pass through the opening toward the first sheet supporting surface;

a second sheet having a first major surface and an opposite second major surface with marginal edge portions of the first surface of the second sheet secured to the second sheet supporting surface, the second sheet sized to be larger than the opening wherein the first major surface of the second sheet faces the second major surface of the first sheet and is spaced therefrom to provide a compartment between the sheets;

a retainer positioned between the sheets, the retainer comprising a hollow open ended cylinder having a first end cap captured at one end of the of the cylinder and a second end cap captured at the other end of the cylinder, each of the end caps having reciprocal movement toward and away from one another, and a biasing member in the cylinder biasing the end caps away from one another, wherein the first end cap acts on the second surface of the first sheet and the second end cap acts on the first surface of the second sheet, and

a glazing member mounted on the sash frame and acting on the marginal edges of the second surface of the second sheet.

7. An integrated window sash comprising:

a sash frame having a predetermined number of corners designated as “

X” and

a pair of outer surfaces connected by a web, wherein the web is continuous at and around the X-1 corners and the outer surfaces of the sash frame at the X-1 corners indicate a previous separation, a first sheet supporting surface and a second sheet supporting surface spaced from the first sheet supporting surface and a base between the first and second sheet supporting surfaces;

a first sheet having a first major surface and an opposite second major surface with marginal edge portions of the first surface of the first sheet mounted to the first sheet supporting surface;

a second sheet having a first major surface, an opposite second major surface, and a predetermined peripheral configuration with marginal edge portions of the first surface of the second sheet mounted to the second sheet supporting surface, wherein the first major surface of the second sheet faces and is spaced from the second major surface of the first sheet to provide a compartment therebetween; and

a first layer of an adhesive securing the first sheet to the first sheet supporting surface and a second layer of an adhesive securing the second sheet to the second sheet supporting surface.

8. The integrated window sash according to claim 7, wherein the first and second layers are moisture and gas impervious adhesive sealant, the base has a surface facing the compartment that is moisture and gas impervious, and further comprising a desiccating medium communicating with the compartment between the sheets.

9. The integrated window sash according to claim 7, wherein the desiccating medium is carried on the surface of the base of the sash frame, and the base and the desiccating medium define an interior opening in the sash frame, wherein the first sheet is sized to pass through the interior opening to the first sheet supporting surface without contacting the desiccating medium, and further wherein the base has a groove with an opening facing the compartment and the desiccating medium is in the groove.

10. The integrated window sash according to claim 7, further comprising a retainer mounted on the base between the sheets, the retainer having a first end portion engaging surface portions of the second surface of the first sheet and an opposite second end portion secured to the base.

11. The integrated window sash according to claim 7, further comprising a lattice made of muntin bars in the compartment, the lattice having end portions adjacent to and spaced from the base, and a retainer clip having a first end portion connected to an end portion of the lattice and the opposite second end portion having a compressible base, the compressible base in surface contact with the second major surface of the first sheet and the first major surface of the second sheet to retain the lattice in position in the compartment.

12. A sash member comprising:

an elongated section having in cross section a first sidewall, a second sidewall spaced from the first sidewall, a first outer surface interconnecting the first and second sidewalls and a second outer surface spaced from the first outer surface and interconnecting the first and second sidewalls, the second outer surface having a first sheet supporting wall adjacent the first sidewall and a second sheet supporting surface adjacent the second sidewall, a first base extending from the first sheet supporting wall toward the second sheet supporting wall and a second base extending from the second sidewall with the first base at a higher elevation than the second base, wherein a first sloped ramp interconnects the first sheet supporting surface and the first base and a second sloped ramp interconnects the second supporting surface and the second base.

13. The sash member according to claim 12, further comprising a third sheet supporting wall between the first and second sheet supporting wall with the first base extending from the first sheet supporting wall to the third sheet supporting wall, and a third base extending from the third sheet supporting wall to the second sheet supporting wall and a third sloped ramp interconnecting thirds sheet supporting surface and the third base.

14. A sash frame comprising:

two or more sash members having adjacent end joined together to surround an open area, and

at least one of the sash members in cross section comprises a first sidewall, a second sidewall spaced from the first sidewall, an outer surface interconnecting the first and second sidewalls and an inner surface spaced from the outer surface and facing the open area interconnecting the first and second sidewalls, the inner surface having a first sheet supporting wall adjacent the first sidewall and a second sheet supporting surface adjacent the second sidewall, a first base extending from the first sheet supporting wall toward the second sheet supporting wall and a second base extending from the second sidewall with the first base closer to the open area than the second base, wherein a first sloped ramp interconnects the first sheet supporting surface and the first base and a second sloped ramp interconnects the second supporting surface and the second base.

15. The sash frame according to claim 14, the at least one sash member further comprising a third sheet supporting wall between the first and second sheet supporting wall with the first base extending from the first sheet supporting wall to the third sheet supporting wall, and a third base extending from the third sheet supporting wall to the second sheet supporting wall and a third sloped ramp interconnecting the third sheet supporting surface and the third base.

16. An integrated window sash, comprising:

a sash frame having in cross section a first sidewall, a second sidewall spaced from the first sidewall, an outer surface interconnecting the first and second sidewalls and an inner surface spaced from the outer surface and facing the open area interconnecting the first and second sidewalls, the inner surface having a first sheet supporting wall adjacent the first sidewall and a second sheet supporting surface adjacent the second sidewall, a first base extending from the first sheet supporting surface toward the second sheet supporting surface and a second base extending from the second sidewall with the first base closer to the open area than the second base, wherein a sloped ramp defined as a first ramp interconnects the first sheet supporting surface and the first base and a sloped ramp defined as a second ramp interconnects the second supporting surface and the second base;

a first sheet having a first major surface and an opposite second major surface with marginal edge portions of the first surface of the first sheet secured to the first sheet supporting surface and at least a portion of a corner of the sheet supported on the first ramp; and

a second sheet having a first major surface and an opposite second major surface with marginal edge portions of the first surface of the second sheet secured to the second sheet supporting surface with at least a portion of a comer of the second sheet supported on the second ramp, with the second surface of the first sheet spaced from the first surface of the second sheet to provide a compartment therebetween.

17. The integrated window sash according to claim 16, wherein the first and second layers are moisture and gas impervious adhesive sealant, the first and second bases have a surface that is moisture and gas impervious and further comprising a desiccating medium communicating with the compartment, and further comprising a barrier layer over the base facing the compartment, wherein the barrier layer is a material having a low gas and moisture permeability to resist the movement of gas and moisture into and/or out of the compartment through the base.

18. The integrated window sash according to claim 16, further comprising a desiccating medium carried on the first base of the sash frame and communicating with the compartment, the base and the desiccating medium defining an interior opening in the sash frame wherein the first sheet is sized to pass through the interior opening to the first sheet supporting surface without contacting the desiccating medium, and further wherein the base has a groove with an opening facing the compartment and the desiccating medium is in the groove.

19. The integrated window sash according to claim 16, further comprising a retainer mounted on the base between the first and second sheets, the retainer having a first end portion engaging surface portions of the second surface of the first sheet and an opposite second end portion secured to the base.

20. The integrated window sash according to claim 16, further comprising a lattice made of muntin bars in the compartment, the lattice having end portions adjacent to and spaced from the base, and a retainer clip having a first end portion connected to an end portion of the lattice and the opposite second end portion having a compressible base, the compressible base in surface contact with the second major surface of the first sheet and the first major surface of the second sheet to retain the lattice in position in the compartment.

21. An integrated window sash, comprising:

a sash frame having a first sheet supporting surface and a second sheet supporting surface spaced from the first sheet supporting surface and a base between the first and second sheet supporting surfaces;

a first sheet having a first major surface and an opposite second major surface with marginal edge portions of the first surface of the first sheet secured to the first sheet supporting surface;

a second sheet having a first major surface, an opposite second major surface, and a predetermined peripheral configuration with marginal edge portions of the first surface of the second sheet secured to the second sheet supporting surface, wherein the first major surface of the second sheet faces and is spaced from the second major surface of the first sheet to provide a compartment therebetween;

a desiccating medium carried on the base of the sash frame and communicating with the compartment; and

an access through the base to the compartment to equalize the gas pressure in the compartment with pressure acting on the first major surface of the first sheet and the second major surface of the second sheet.

22. The integrated window sash according to claim 21, wherein a desiccating medium is on the base and communicates with the compartment, the base and the desiccating medium defining an interior opening in the sash frame, wherein the first sheet is sized to pass through the interior opening to the first sheet supporting surface without contacting the desiccating medium, and further wherein the base has a groove with an opening facing the compartment and the desiccating medium is in the groove.

23. The integrated window sash according to claim 21, further comprising a first layer of a gas and moisture impervious adhesive sealant securing the marginal edge portions of the first surface of the first sheet to the first sheet supporting surface and a second layer of a gas and moisture impervious adhesive sealant securing the marginal edge portions of the first surface of the second sheet to the second sheet supporting surface, and further comprising a barrier layer over the base facing the compartment, wherein the barrier layer is a material having a low gas and moisture permeability to resist the movement of gas and moisture into and/or out of the compartment through the base.

24. The integrated window sash according to claim 21, further comprising a retainer mounted on the base between the sheets, the retainer having a first end portion engaging surface portions of the second surface of the first sheet and an opposite second end portion secured to the base.

25. The integrated window sash according to claim 21, further comprising a lattice made of muntin bars in the compartment, the lattice having end portions adjacent to and spaced from the base, and a retainer clip having a first end portion connected to an end portion of the lattice and the opposite second end portion having a compressible base, the compressible base in surface contact with the second major surface of the first sheet and the first major surface of the second sheet to retain the lattice in position in the compartment.

26. An integrated window sash, comprising:

a sash frame having a first sheet supporting surface, a second sheet supporting surface spaced from the first sheet supporting surface, and a base between the first and second sheet supporting surfaces;

a barrier layer secured to the base by an adhesive layer, the barrier layer comprising a plastic film having a low gas and moisture permeability;

an arrangement to reduce ultraviolet radiation impingement the film;

a first sheet having a first major surface, an opposite second major surface with marginal edge portions of the first surface of the first sheet secured to the first sheet supporting surface;

a second sheet having a first major surface, an opposite second major surface, and a predetermined peripheral configuration with marginal edge portions of the first surface of the second sheet secured to the second sheet supporting surface, wherein the first major surface of the second sheet faces and is spaced from the second major surface of the first sheet to provide a compartment therebetween, and

a desiccating medium carried on the barrier layer.

27. The integrated window sash according to claim 26, wherein the arrangement is one of the sheets reflecting or absorbing ultraviolet radiation.

28. The integrated window sash according to claim 26, wherein the arrangement is a layer of the desiccating medium over the surface of the film facing the compartment.

29. The integrated window sash according to claim 26, wherein the arrangement is an adhesive layer over surface of the film facing the compartment, the film being resistant to ultraviolet degradation.