Spacer system for installing vacuum insulated glass (VIG) window unit in window frame designed to accommodate thicker IG window unit
First Claim
1. A method of installing a vacuum insulated glass (VIG) window unit, the method comprising:
- seating a VIG window unit, having a thickness of from about 4-12 mm, in a window frame, the window frame capable of supporting a non-vacuum IG window unit having a larger thickness than the VIG window unit, the VIG window unit comprising first and second glass substrates with a low pressure gap provided therebetween, the low pressure gap being at pressure less than atmospheric pressure,the VIG window unit being supported on a first side by a first stop portion of said frame and being supported on a second side by a second stop portion of said frame, and wherein a gap between the first and second stop portions is from about 19-40 mm;
wherein a spacer structure is provided along at least one side of the VIG window unit between the VIG window unit and at least one of the first and second stop portions of the window frame, the spacer structure including at least one hollow area surrounded by a solid portion when viewed cross sectionally, wherein the hollow area is substantially filled with air, foam, and/or insulating material;
the spacer structure comprises a base portion interconnected between first and second substantially parallel extending portions each of the first and second extending portions extending from the base portion in a direction substantially parallel to glass substrates of the VIG window unit, and wherein the first and second glass substrates of the VIG window unit are located at least partially between the first and second extending portions; and
wherein the spacer structure comprises a first living hinge between the base portion and the first extending portion, and a second living hinge between the base portion and the second extending portion.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A vacuum insulated glass (VIG) window unit installation configuration and method for installing a VIG window unit in a window frame that was designed to accommodate at least a thicker IG (insulating glass/integrated glass) window unit(s). The VIG window unit may be supported on a first side by a first stop portion of the frame and on a second side by a second stop portion of the frame. A spacer structure is provided along at least one side of the VIG window unit between the VIG window unit and at least one of the first and second stop portions, the spacer structure including at least one hollow area surrounded by a solid portion when viewed cross sectionally.
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Citations
27 Claims
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1. A method of installing a vacuum insulated glass (VIG) window unit, the method comprising:
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seating a VIG window unit, having a thickness of from about 4-12 mm, in a window frame, the window frame capable of supporting a non-vacuum IG window unit having a larger thickness than the VIG window unit, the VIG window unit comprising first and second glass substrates with a low pressure gap provided therebetween, the low pressure gap being at pressure less than atmospheric pressure, the VIG window unit being supported on a first side by a first stop portion of said frame and being supported on a second side by a second stop portion of said frame, and wherein a gap between the first and second stop portions is from about 19-40 mm; wherein a spacer structure is provided along at least one side of the VIG window unit between the VIG window unit and at least one of the first and second stop portions of the window frame, the spacer structure including at least one hollow area surrounded by a solid portion when viewed cross sectionally, wherein the hollow area is substantially filled with air, foam, and/or insulating material; the spacer structure comprises a base portion interconnected between first and second substantially parallel extending portions each of the first and second extending portions extending from the base portion in a direction substantially parallel to glass substrates of the VIG window unit, and wherein the first and second glass substrates of the VIG window unit are located at least partially between the first and second extending portions; and wherein the spacer structure comprises a first living hinge between the base portion and the first extending portion, and a second living hinge between the base portion and the second extending portion. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
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14. A method of installing a vacuum insulated glass (VIG) window unit, the method comprising:
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seating a VIG window unit, having a thickness of from about 4-12 mm, in a window frame, the window frame capable of supporting a non-vacuum IG window unit having a larger thickness than the VIG window unit, the VIG window unit comprising first and second glass substrates with a low pressure gap provided therebetween, the low pressure gap being at pressure less than atmospheric pressure, the VIG window unit being supported on a first side by a first stop portion of said frame and being supported on a second side by a second stop portion of said frame, and wherein a gap between the first and second stop portions is from about 19-40 mm; wherein a spacer structure is provided along at least one side of the VIG window unit between the VIG window unit and at least one of the first and second stop portions of the window frame, the spacer structure including at least one hollow area surrounded by a solid portion when viewed cross sectionally, wherein the hollow area is substantially filled with air, foam, and/or insulating material; the spacer structure comprises a base portion interconnected between first and second substantially parallel extending portions, each of the first and second extending portions extending from the base portion in a direction substantially parallel to glass substrates of the VIG window unit, and wherein the first and second glass substrates of the VIG window unit are located at least partially between the first and second extending portions; and wherein the spacer structure comprises a first snap-lock structure for snap-connecting the first extending portion to the base portion, and a second snap-lock structure for snap-connecting the second extending portion to the base portion. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16)
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17. A window unit comprising:
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a VIG window unit in a window frame, the window frame capable of supporting a non-vacuum IG window unit having a larger thickness than does the VIG window unit, said VIG window unit comprising first and second glass substrates with a low pressure gap provided therebetween, the low pressure gap being at pressure less than atmospheric pressure; the VIG window unit being supported on a first side by a first stop portion of said frame and being supported on a second side by a second stop portion of said frame; a spacer structure provided along at least one side of the VIG window unit between the VIG window unit and at least one of the first and second stop portions of the window frame, the spacer structure including at least one hollow area surrounded by a solid portion when viewed cross sectionally; wherein the spacer structure comprises a base portion interconnected between first and second substantially parallel extending portions, each of the first and second extending portions extending from the base portion in a direction substantially parallel to glass substrates of the VIG window unit, and wherein the first and second glass substrates of the VIG window unit are located at least partially between the first and second extending portions; and wherein the spacer structure comprises a first snap-lock structure for snap-connecting the first extending portion to the base portion, and a second snap-lock structure for snap-connecting the second extending portion to the base portion. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25)
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26. A window unit comprising:
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VIG window unit in a window frame, the window frame capable of sup supporting a non-vacuum IG window unit having a larger thickness than does the VIG window unit, said VIG window unit comprising first and second glass substrates with a low pressure gap provided therebetween, the low pressure gap being at pressure less than atmospheric pressure; the VIG window unit being supported on a first side by a first stop portion of said frame and being supported on a second side by a second stop portion of said frame; a spacer structure provided along at least one side of the VIG window unit between the VIG window unit and at least one of the first and second stop portions of the window frame, the spacer structure including at least one hollow area surrounded by a solid portion when viewed cross sectionally; wherein the spacer structure comprises a base portion interconnected between first and second substantially parallel extending portions, each of the first and second extending portions extending from the base portion in a direction substantially parallel to glass substrates of the VIG window unit, and wherein the first and second glass substrates of the VIG window unit are located at least partially between the first and second extending portions; and wherein the spacer structure comprises a first living hinge between the base portion and the first extending portion, and a second living hinge between the base portion and the second extending portion. - View Dependent Claims (27)
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Specification