Window molding

• US 4,825,609 A
• Filed: 08/26/1988
• Issued: 05/02/1989
• Est. Priority Date: 08/26/1988
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Goodrich Corporation (Rtx Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Goodrich Corporation (Rtx Corporation)
• Inventors: Rundo, John R.
• Primary Examiner(s): Scherbel, David A.
• Assistant Examiner(s): MAI, LANNA
• Application Number:
  US07/236,886
• Time in Patent Office: 249 Days
• Field of Search: 52/202, 52/397, 52/398, 52/766, 52/203, 52/764
• US Class Current: 52/202
• CPC Class Codes: E06B 3/5418 Permanently fixing of an additional unframed pane compound frames E06B3/2605
• CPC Class Codes: E06B 3/5864 with adjusting screws, wedges or cams

Abstract

A window structure using a retainer means for converting a single window pane into a double insulated window. Sealant tape is applied to the inside periphery of the primary window pane and then a secondary window pane is placed into abutting contact with the sealant tape. A U-shaped retainer with a gasket secured to one side thereof is moved into contact with the window pane and then secured to the window frame. A wedge is the moved into locking engagement with the retainer which exerts a constant compressive force onto the gasket and then onto the secondary window and sealant tape for the full length of the window pane. A trim member is then latched to the retainer by having its two longitudinally extending leg members locking onto spaced latch means on the retainer presenting an aesthetic appearance.

Claims

1. A window structure comprising a rectangular window frame, a first pane seated and secured in said window frame, said first pane having an exterior surface and an interior surface, a sealant tape mounted around and adhered to the peripheral interior surface of said first pane, a secondary pane mounted on and into abutting contact with said tape, a retainer secured to said window frame adjacent to the entire periphery of said secondary window pane, said retainer having a forwardly disposed portion and a rearwardly disposed portion, said forwardly disposed portion lying closer to said window pane than said rearwardly disposed portion, said retainer having a plurality of spaced holes to receive securing means to fasten said retainer to said window frame, said forwardly disposed portion having a gasket secured thereto for abuttingly contacting with said secondary window pane, a channel separating said forwardly disposed portion from said rearwardly disposed portion, said rearwardly disposed portion being rigid, said forwardly disposed portion being yieldable in a direction away from rearwardly disposed portion, a wedge locking means received by said channel and cooperative with said rearwardly disposed portion for attachment thereto while operative to wedge said forwardly disposed portion with said gasket into compressive engagement with said secondary window pane, and a trim member attachable to and covering said retainer.

2. A window structure as set forth in claim 1 wherein said wedge locking means has a tapered configuration providing a compressive action on said gasket to bias said gasket as a compressive force on said secondary pane while directing a force toward the adjacent periphery of said secondary window pane.

3. A window structure as set forth in claim 2 wherein said rearwardly disposed rigid portion of said retainer having serrations facing said channel, and said wedge means has a plurality of serrations on one side surface that engages said serrations on said rearwardly disposed rigid portion of said retainer to lock said retainer into a compressive force on said secondary window pane.

4. A window structure as set forth in claim 3 wherein said forwardly disposed portion has a longtudinally extending flange member that is received by a groove in said gasket to integrally interconnect said retainer and said gasket.

5. A window structure as set forth in claim 4 wherein the upper edge of said rearwardly disposed portion of said retainer has an off-set serration, said rearwardly disposed portion has an extension with a second off-set seration, and said trim member has lock means for cooperative action with said off-set serrations to latch said trim member to said retainer.

6. A window structure as set forth in claim 5 wherein said flange member is T-shaped in cross section, and said groove in said gasket is T-shaped in cross section to complimentary receive said flange member in locking relationship.