Method and apparatus for installing vacuum insulated glass (VIG) window unit in existing window sash

• US 9,752,375 B2
• Filed: 07/05/2012
• Issued: 09/05/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 07/05/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Guardian Glass LLC (KOCH Industries Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Guardian Glass LLC (KOCH Industries Incorporated)
• Inventors: Jones, Jeffrey A.
• Primary Examiner(s): Vaughan, Jason L
• Assistant Examiner(s): Meneghini, Amanda
• Application Number:
  US13/541,840
• Publication Number:
  US 20140007396A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,888 Days
• Field of Search: 294011, 2940204, 2940208, 2940209, 2940211, 5220456, 5220467, 522047, 52207705, 5220771, 5278613, 527881, 49501, 49504, 49505
• CPC Class Codes: E06B 3/267 with insulating elements formed in situ
• CPC Class Codes: E06B 3/5821 hooked on or in the frame member, fixed by clips or otherwise elastically fixed E06B3/585 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: E06B 3/585 adjustable, e.g. for accommodating panes of various thickness, or with provisions for altering the clamping force on the pane E06B3/5871 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: E06B 3/6612 Evacuated glazing units
• CPC Class Codes: Y02A 30/249 Glazing, e.g. vacuum glazing
• CPC Class Codes: Y02B 80/22 Glazing, e.g. vaccum glazing
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49723 including reconditioning of part
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/4973 Replacing of defective part
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49826 Assembling or joining

Abstract

A method and apparatus for enabling a vacuum insulated glass (VIG) window to be substituted for and/or replace a non-vacuum insulated glass window in an existing window assembly frame structure is disclosed. A width of a VIG window is substantially less than that of existing non-vacuum insulated glass (IG) windows (e.g., a double, triple or quad pane windows). A replacement stop is provided that compensates for the difference between the larger width of a non-vacuum insulated glass window and a VIG window which has a smaller width, thereby enabling the VIG window to be easily and cost effectively installed in existing window configurations originally intended for non-vacuum insulated glass windows. The replacement stop may be used in the manufacture of VIG window units and/or to replace existing and/or already installed non-vacuum insulated glass windows.

Claims

1. A method of making a vacuum insulated glass (VIG) window unit, the method comprising:

seating a VIG window on a window sash, the window sash configured to support a non-vacuum insulated glass window which has a larger width than does the VIG window, said VIG window being supported on a first side by a stop portion of said window sash and having a width less than the width of said non-vacuum insulated glass window, and wherein the VIG window comprises first and second glass substrates having a vacuum cavity provided therebetween, the vacuum cavity being at pressure less than atmospheric pressure and having a plurality of spacers therein for spacing the first and second glass substrates from each other;

installing a VIG stop so that the VIG stop is connected to said window sash and supports a second side of said VIG window opposite said first side, wherein said VIG stop has a width sufficient to compensate for a difference in the width of said non-vacuum insulated glass window and said VIG window, and wherein the VIG stop comprises foam in a hollow interior portion thereof;

wherein said VIG stop comprises a hollow L-shaped main body with first and second solid parallel distal portions extending therefrom, the first distal portion for engaging the VIG window and the second distal portion for fitting under a lip of the sash; and

a concave dimple defined in an upper surface of the window sash when viewed in cross section, the concave dimple is positioned so as to be located between and not directly under the first and second glass substrates of the non-vacuum insulated glass window, and so that at least part of the first and second glass substrates of the VIG window are located on one side of the dimple when the VIG window is on the sash.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

removing an existing stop from said window sash and replacing the existing stop with the VIG stop, said existing stop having supported a previously installed non-vacuum insulated glass window with the larger width.

3. The method of claim 2, further comprising:

after removing the existing stop, removing a non-vacuum insulated glass window and thereafter seating the VIG window and installing the VIG stop to replace the existing stop.

4. The method of claim 2, wherein a width of said VIG stop is greater than a width of the existing stop that was used to support a non-vacuum insulated glass window.

5. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

preparing said window sash to receive a VIG window.

6. The method of claim 5, wherein said preparing comprises one or more of:

cleaning said sash to remove debris, cleaning said sash to remove adhesive residue, applying an adhesive to the sash, and/or providing a gasket or seal on said sash to receive said VIG window.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein said VIG stop is installed to face an exterior side of said VIG window.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein said VIG stop is installed to face an interior side of said VIG window.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein a width of said VIG stop is in a range of from about 12 to 32 mm.

10. The method of claim 1, wherein said VIG stop comprises at least one material from the group consisting of:

wood, rubber, plastic, PVC, fiberglass, vinyl, aluminum, and composites.

11. The method of claim 1, wherein said sash comprises at least one material from the group consisting of:

wood, rubber, plastic, PVC, fiberglass, vinyl, aluminum, and composites.

12. The method of claim 1, wherein a gap defined by a minimum distance between said stop portion and said VIG stop is substantially equal to the width of the VIG window.

13. A method of replacing a non-vacuum insulated glass window with a vacuum insulated glass (VIG) window having a width less than a width of said non-vacuum insulated glass window, comprising:

removing an existing stop connected to a window sash in which said non-vacuum insulated glass window is installed, the window sash having a concave dimple defined in an upper surface thereof when viewed in cross section;

removing said non-vacuum insulated glass window from said window sash;

installing said VIG window in said window sash, wherein the VIG window comprises first and second glass substrates having a vacuum cavity provided therebetween, the vacuum cavity being at pressure less than atmospheric pressure and having a plurality of spacers therein for spacing the first and second glass substrates from each other;

installing a VIG stop having a width sufficient to compensate for a difference in a width of the removed non-vacuum insulated glass window and a width of said VIG window, said VIG stop engaging a surface of said VIG window and providing lateral support to said VIG window, the VIG stop have a width larger than that of the existing stop, and wherein the VIG stop comprises foam in a hollow interior portion thereof;

wherein said VIG stop comprises a hollow L-shaped main body with first and second solid parallel distal portions extending therefrom, the first distal portion for engaging the VIG window and the second distal portion for fitting under a lip of the sash; and

wherein the concave dimple is positioned so as to be located between and not directly under the first and second glass substrates of the non-vacuum insulated glass window, and so that at least part of the first and second glass substrates of the VIG window are located on one side of the dimple when the VIG window is on the sash.

14. The method of claim 13, further comprising:

treating said window sash after removal of said existing stop to clean said sash in preparation for receiving said VIG window.

15. The method of claim 13, wherein said VIG stop is installed to face an exterior side of said VIG window.

16. The method of claim 13, wherein said VIG stop has a width of at least 5 mm greater than a width of the existing stop.

17. The method of claim 13, wherein a width of said VIG stop is in a range of from about 12 to 32 mm.