Vacuum-infused fiberglass-reinforced fenestration framing member and method of manufacture

• US 20080057288A1
• Filed: 08/31/2006
• Published: 03/06/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 08/31/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Milgard Manufacturing Incorporated (MI Windows & Doors LLC)
• Original Assignee: Milgard Manufacturing Incorporated (MI Windows & Doors LLC)
• Inventors: Sironko, Philip T., Gorman, Chris
• Granted Patent: US 7,749,424 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 428/304.4
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 70/443 and impregnating by vacuum or injection
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 70/542 Placing or positioning the reinforcement in a covering or packaging element before or during moulding, e.g. drawing in a sleeve
• CPC Class Codes: B29L 2031/005 for making window frames windows B29L2031/778
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 428/249945 Carbon or carbonaceous fiber
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 428/249953 Composite having voids in a component [e.g., porous, cellular, etc.]

Abstract

A method of making a fenestration framing member includes providing a core of desired cross section and geometry lengthwise of the core. A fiberglass mat is placed around the core to form a fiberglass-enclosed core, and resin is vacuum infused into the mat to form a fenestration framing member that includes fiberglass-reinforced resin enclosing the core. The starting core and the final fenestration framing member preferably are of curved geometry lengthwise of the core and member. The step of vacuum infusing resin into the mat surrounding the core preferably is carried out by placing the fiberglass-enclosed core into a vacuum enclosure, preferably a vacuum bag, and connecting the vacuum enclosure to a vacuum source and a resin source.

Claims

1. A method of making a fenestration framing member that includes the steps of:

(a) providing a core having a cross section and a lengthwise geometry desired for said fenestration framing member,

(b) placing a fiberglass mat around said core to form a fiberglass-enclosed core, and

(c) vacuum infusing resin into said mat to form a fenestration framing member of desired cross section and lengthwise geometry that includes fiberglass-reinforced resin enclosing said core.

2. The method set forth in claim 1 wherein said step (c) includes:

(c1) placing said fiberglass-enclosed core into a vacuum enclosure, and

(c2) connecting said vacuum enclosure to a vacuum source and a resin source.

3. The method set forth in claim 2 wherein said vacuum enclosure is a vacuum bag.

4. The method set forth in claim 1 wherein said step (c) includes:

(c1) placing a peel ply around said fiberglass-enclosed core,

(c2) placing a flow medium over said peel ply,

(c3) placing tubing over said flow medium, said tubing having apertures,

(c4) placing the product of said step (c3) into a vacuum enclosure, and

(c5) connecting said tubing to a vacuum source and a source of resin to draw resin into said vacuum chamber and infuse the resin through said flow medium and said peel ply into said fiberglass mat.

5. The method set forth in claim 4 wherein said step (c) includes:

(c6) removing said vacuum enclosure, and

(c7) removing said tubing, said flow medium and said peel ply leaving said fenestration framing member.

6. The method set forth in claim 1 wherein said core is of curved geometry lengthwise of said core.

7. The method set forth in claim 6 wherein said core is of cellular PVC.

8. A fenestration framing member made in accordance with the method set forth in claim 6.

9. A fenestration framing member made in accordance with the method set forth in claim 1.

10. A fenestration framing member that includes a core of curved geometry lengthwise of said core and a layer of fiber-reinforced resin surrounding said core.

11. The fenestration framing member set forth in claim 10 wherein said core is of cellular PVC.