TRIPLE PANE WINDOW SPACER HAVING A SUNKEN INTERMEDIATE PANE

• US 20140109499A1
• Filed: 10/21/2013
• Published: 04/24/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 10/22/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Guardian Glass LLC (KOCH Industries Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Guardian IGU, LLC
• Inventors: Nieminen, Raimo T., Terpstra, Paul, Rapp, David, Rapp, Eric B., Ahnen, Richard
• Granted Patent: US 9,260,907 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 52/204.593
• CPC Class Codes: E06B 3/26301 with prefabricated insulating strips between two metal section members with two metal frame members having interpenetrating or overlapping parts when mounted E06B3/26336; combined with insulating elements formed in situ E06B3/2675
• CPC Class Codes: E06B 3/273 with prefabricated insulating elements held in position by deformation of portions of the metal frame members
• CPC Class Codes: E06B 3/5454 inside U-shaped section members
• CPC Class Codes: E06B 3/6612 Evacuated glazing units
• CPC Class Codes: E06B 3/66304 Discrete spacing elements, e.g. for evacuated glazing units
• CPC Class Codes: E06B 3/66342 characterised by their sealed connection to the panes
• CPC Class Codes: E06B 3/66361 with special structural provisions for holding drying agents, e.g. packed in special containers
• CPC Class Codes: E06B 3/66366 specially adapted for units comprising more than two panes or for attaching intermediate sheets
• CPC Class Codes: E06B 3/677 Evacuating or filling the gap between the panes ; Equilibration of inside and outside pressure; Preventing condensation in the gap between the panes by means of spacing elements E06B3/663; Cleaning the gap between the panes
• CPC Class Codes: E06B 7/12 Measures preventing the formation of condensed water double glazing E06B3/24 - E06B3/28 and E06B3/677 ; heating arrangements specially adapted for transparent or reflecting areas H05B3/84
• CPC Class Codes: E06B 7/16 Sealing arrangements on wings or parts co-operating with the wings specially adapted for fireproof or similar closures E06B5/164; E06B7/098 takes precedence ; fixed sealing joints E04B1/68; devices for fitting sealing strips E04F21/00

Abstract

In one embodiment, a window spacer has an outer elongate strip with a first surface and a second surface. The window spacer also has first and second inner elongate strips that each has a first surface and a second surface. The inner elongate strips are arranged so that each of the first surfaces of the inner elongate strips is spaced from the second surface of the outer elongate strip. The inner elongate strips are also spaced from each other to form an elongate intermediate pane gap. Support legs extend between the outer elongate strip and the two inner elongate strips.

Claims

1. A window spacer comprising:

an outer elongate strip having a first surface and a second surface;

first and second inner elongate strips, each having a first surface and a second surface, the inner elongate strips arranged so that each of the first surfaces of the inner elongate strips are spaced from the second surface of the outer elongate strip, the inner elongate strips being spaced from each other to form an elongate intermediate pane gap;

a first outer support leg extending between the outer elongate strip and the first inner elongate strip;

a second outer support leg extending between the outer elongate strip and the second inner elongate strip;

a first inner support leg extending between the outer elongate strip and the first inner elongate strip, the first inner support leg positioned between the two outer support legs; and

a second inner support leg extending between the outer elongate strip and the second inner elongate strip, the second inner support leg positioned between the two outer support legs.

2. The spacer of claim 1 wherein the inner support legs are positioned at a non-perpendicular angle to the outer elongate strip.

3. The spacer of claim 1 wherein the first and second outer support leg are spaced from the outer edges of the elongate strips.

4. The spacer of claim 1 wherein the support legs are formed of a different material than the elongate strips.

5. The spacer of claim 1 wherein the support legs are nylon.

6. The spacer of claim 1 wherein the elongate strips are metal.

7. The spacer of claim 1 wherein the elongate strips have an undulating shape.

8. The spacer of claim 1 wherein the spacer is capable of being wound on a spool having a diameter of 18 inches or more without damage.

9. The spacer of claim 8 wherein the spacer is capable of being wound on a spool having a diameter of 4 inches or more without damage.

10. The spacer of claim 1 wherein the spacer is capable of being twisted by at least about 10 degrees over six inches without damage.

11. The spacer of claim 10 wherein the spacer is capable of being twisted by at least about 150 degrees over three feet without damage.

12. The spacer of claim 1 further comprising at least one filler arranged between the outer elongate strip and the inner elongate strips, the filler including a desiccant.

13. The spacer of claim 1 further comprising an elongate gasket disposed between the first inner elongate strip and the second inner elongate strip, wherein the elongate gasket further defines the intermediate pane gap.

14. A window unit comprising:

a first, second and intermediate pane;

a spacer comprising;

an outer elongate strip having a first surface and a second surface;

first and second inner elongate strips, each having a first surface and a second surface, the inner elongate strips arranged so that each of the first surfaces of the inner elongate strips are spaced from the second surface of the outer elongate strip, the inner elongate strips being spaced from each other to form an elongate intermediate pane gap;

a first outer support leg extending between the outer elongate strip and the first inner elongate strip;

a second outer support leg extending between the outer elongate strip and the second inner elongate strip;

a first inner support leg extending between the outer elongate strip and the first inner elongate strip, the first inner support leg positioned between the two outer support legs; and

a second inner support leg extending between the outer elongate strip and the second inner elongate strip, the second inner support leg positioned between the two outer support legs,

wherein the spacer extends from the first pane to the second pane, the spacer supporting the intermediate pane on the outer elongate strip, the spacer defining a first sealant cavity comprising sealant between the first pane and the first outer support leg, the spacer further defining a second sealant cavity comprising sealant between the second pane and the second outer support leg.

15. A window unit comprising:

a first pane, a second pane, and an intermediate pane disposed between the first pane and the second pane;

a spacer comprising;

an outer elongate strip extending from the first pane to the second pane;

first inner elongate strip extending from the first pane to the intermediate pane;

a second inner elongate strip extending from the intermediate pane to the second pane;

a first support leg extending between the outer elongate strip and the first inner elongate strip; and

a second support leg extending between the outer elongate strip and the second inner elongate strip.

16. The window unit of claim 15, further comprising an elongate gasket disposed between the first inner elongate strip and the second inner elongate strip, wherein the elongate gasket frictionally receives the intermediate pane.

17. The window unit of claim 15, further comprising:

a third support leg extending between the outer elongate strip and the first inner elongate strip; and

a fourth support leg extending between the outer elongate strip and the second inner elongate strip.

18. The window unit of claim 15, wherein the outer elongate strip, the first inner elongate strip, and the second inner elongate strip have an undulating shape.

19. The window unit of claim 15, wherein the first support leg, the outer elongate strip and the first inner elongate strip define a first sealant cavity having a sealant disposed therein, wherein the sealant sealably contacts the first pane.

20. The window unit of claim 19, wherein the second support leg, the outer elongate strip and the second inner elongate strip define a second sealant cavity having the sealant disposed therein, wherein the sealant sealably contacts the second pane.