Double pane window construction

• US 7,681,369 B2
• Filed: 08/21/2007
• Issued: 03/23/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 08/22/2006
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Joseph R. Soltesiz, Nanette M. Soltesiz
• Original Assignee: Joseph R. Soltesiz, Nanette M. Soltesiz
• Inventors: Soltesiz, Joseph R., Soltesiz, Nanette M.
• Primary Examiner(s): Canfield; Robert J.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Cajilig; Christine T
• Application Number:
  US11/892,309
• Publication Number:
  US 20080047208A1
• Time in Patent Office: 945 Days
• Field of Search: 522/045.9, 522/045.93, 522/045.95, 522/046.1, 524/56, 527/861, 527/861.1, 527/861.3, 428/34
• US Class Current: 52/456
• CPC Class Codes: E06B 3/6604 comprising false glazing bars or similar decorations between the panes connectors therefor E06B3/6675

Abstract

The double pane window construction includes an inner peripheral surround captured between two panes of glass immediately adjacent the outer peripheral seal of the assembly. The surround has a width sufficient to conceal the inner surface of the seal from the view when the interior of the assembly is viewed at an acute angle through the glass, but includes a circulation gap between each edge thereof and the adjacent glass pane to allow the air or gas entrapped between the panes to communicate with the seal and any dessiccant material therewith. The surround includes a seal attachment flange for attachment to the seal, and may have a faux muntin pattern formed integrally therewith. The surround and faux muntin grid may be formed of plastic or other suitable material in any practicable size and pattern. The assembly is particularly well suited as a door lite.

Claims

1. A double pane window construction, comprising:

a first glass pane having a periphery;

a second glass pane having a periphery, the second glass pane being spaced apart and substantially parallel to the first glass pane;

a soft, elastomeric seal disposed between the peripheries of each of the glass panes and hermetically sealing each of the glass panes to one another, the seal further having a width defining an insulating air gap disposed between each of the glass panes and a groove defined therein;

a peripheral surround secured to the seal and extending inwardly therefrom, the surround being T-shaped and having a seal-concealing flange and a seal attachment flange extending normal to the seal-concealing flange, the seal-concealing flange extending laterally between the glass panes and defining a first edge spaced apart from the first pane of glass, a second edge spaced apart from the second pane of glass, and a surround width less than the width of the seal in order to provide a circulation gap disposed between the flange edges and the glass panes, the seal attachment flange being seated in the groove defined in the seal, the surround substantially concealing the seal from view when the surround is viewed through either of the glass panes; and

a faux muntin grid integrally and monolithically formed with the surround, and extending through the insulating air gap between the panes of glass.

2. The double pane window construction according to claim 1, wherein said seal attachment flange has a first lateral face and a second lateral face opposite the first lateral face, the first lateral face and second lateral face defining a width therebetween less than the width of the surround.

3. The double pane window construction according to claim 2, further including a seal-gripping ridge disposed along each of the lateral faces of said seal attachment flange.

4. The double pane window construction according to claim 2, wherein the first and second lateral faces of said seal attachment flange each have a seal-gripping groove defined therein, the grooves extending across the faces of said seal attachment flange.

5. The double pane window construction according to claim 1, wherein the faux muntin grid has a thickness up to the width of the surround.

6. The double pane window construction according to claim 1, wherein the surround and said faux muntin grid are integrally and monolithically molded of plastic material as a single, unitary component.

7. The double pane window construction according to claim 1, further including an external frame assembly peripherally disposed about the first pane and second pane.

8. The double pane window construction according to claim 1, wherein the first pane, second pane, seal, surround, and faux muntin grid comprise a door lite assembly.

9. A door lite, comprising:

a first glass pane having a periphery;

a second glass pane having a periphery, the second glass pane being spaced apart and substantially parallel to the first glass pane;

a soft, elastomeric seal disposed between the peripheries of the glass panes and hermetically sealing the glass panes to one another, the seal having a width defining an insulating air gap disposed between each of the glass panes, the seal having a groove defined therein;

a peripheral surround having a seal attachment flange seated in the groove defined in the seal and a seal-concealing flange extending normal to the seal attachment flange, the seal-concealing flange having a first edge spaced apart from the first pane of glass, a second edge spaced apart from the second pane of glass, and a surround width less than the width of the seal and defining a circulation gap disposed between the seal-concealing flange and each of the glass panes, the seal-concealing flange being spaced above the seal and concealing the seal from view when the surround is viewed through either of the glass panes; and

an external frame assembly peripherally disposed about the first pane and second glass panes.

10. The door lite according to claim 9, wherein said seal attachment flange has a first lateral face and a second lateral face opposite the first lateral face, the first lateral face and second lateral face defining a width therebetween less than the width of the surround.

11. The door lite according to claim 10, further including a seal-gripping ridge disposed along each of the lateral faces of said seal attachment flange.

12. The door lite according to claim 10, wherein the first and second lateral faces of said seal attachment flange each have a seal-gripping groove defined therein, the grooves extending across the faces of said seal attachment flange.

13. The door lite according to claim 9, further including a faux muntin grid integrally and monolithically formed with the surround, the faux muntin grid extending through the insulating volume between the panes of glass.

14. The door lite according to claim 13, wherein the faux muntin grid has a thickness up to the width of the surround.

15. The door lite according to claim 13, wherein the surround and faux muntin grid are integrally and monolithically molded of plastic material as a single, unitary component.