GB2313144A

GB2313144A - Double glazed unit with internal vacuum formed bevelled sheet

Info

Publication number: GB2313144A
Application number: GB9715066A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Alan Frost
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1997-03-12
Filing date: 1997-07-18
Publication date: 1997-11-19
Anticipated expiration: 2017-07-18
Also published as: GB2313144B; GB9715066D0; GB9705125D0

Abstract

A double glazed unit, figure 2, includes a plastic sheet 7 spaced between panes 5 by spacer bars 8 and sealed with sealant 4. The sheet 7 is vacuum formed clear plastic sheet, with raised bevelled grooves 2 formed on the front surface and hollow on the back surface, forming design segments of unrelieved thickness surrounded by bevelled grooves. A plurality of lead strips may bonded to the walls of the grooves, both inside and outside of the vacuum formed sheet, thus enclosing the design segments and simulating bevelled and leaded glass.

Description

METHOD OF MAKING SIMULATED BEVELLED AND LEADED GLASS WINDOW STRUCTURE.

Background ofthe invention.

1. TECHNICAL FIELD This invention relates generally to decorative panels simulating the appearance of bevelled and leaded glass.

2. DESCRIPTION OF THE PRIOR ART.

Bevelled glass windows have for centuries adorned spectacular stately homes ofthe well-todo. But during the Victorian era, bevelled glass windows were increasingly used as an integral part of the design of middle class homes. Bevelled glass traditionally is formed by grinding bevelled grooves in smooth surface panels of glass. This technique involves a time consuming process using expensive diamond grinding wheels and heads. Usually V-shaped bevelled grooves are formed and the bevelled glass is used with the application of lead came. When a leaded glass panel is formed, it is necessary to cut individual segments of glass, bevel their edges and then join such segments with grooved lead came. I claim a method for simulated stained and leaded glass panel which achieves the foregoing results.

BRIEF STATEMENT OF INVENTION.

Simulated bevelled and leaded glass panels are prepared in accordance with the invention by vacuum forming bevelled grooves of a particular shape in one side of the clear plastic/polymer* sheet leaving a hollow effect on the inside of the sheet (which gives a 3D effect), then permanently affixing lead strips in the bevelled grooves on both sides of the vacuum formed sheet. The bevelled grooves are formed with side walls from 5 degrees to 80 degrees. The vacuum formed sheet can be clear or have an obscure pattern effect. The invention uses lead strips which are coated with adhesive and they are applied in-between the grooves of the vacuum formed design to define the design segments of a preselected pattern which are surrounded by the bevelled grooves and lead strips, thereby completely simulating lead came.

Coloured plastic film can if required be applied to the reverse side of the vacuum formed sheet, thus providing simulated bevelled, stained and leaded glass. The coloured plastic film which is applied with an adhesive bonding to the vacuum formed sheet becomes permanently affixed.

When the vacuum formed bevel is completed with the lead and colour film it is then placed inbetween two pieces of glass to form a three ply glazed unit. The plastic bevel membrane is never exposed to the elements of the weather.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS.

The invention may be more fully appreciated from the following detailed description of the preferred embodiment thereof taken in conjunction with the appended drawings wherein: FIGURE 1 The plan view of the vacuum formed sheet embodying this invention; The bevelled design is formed into the clear plastic/polymer* sheet which is then cut down to the required size prior to glazing.

Fig 1 I Clear plastic/polymer* sheet, vacuum formed to create any bevelled shape and lettering effect. 2 Raised vacuum formed bevel design. 3 The flat area of the sheet, it can be clear or have an obscure effect.

FIGURE 2 Is a sectional end view of the completed bevelled in a three ply glazed unit, indicating an outer sheet of glass, spacer bar, inner sheet ofthe vacuum formed creative bevel, spacer bar and another outer sheet of glass, sealed around the edges to bond the whole three ply glazed unit together.

Fig 2 4 Sealed edges all around the three ply unit. 5 Float Glass. 6 Air Space. 7 Clear Plastic/polymer* vacuum formed sheet. 8 Spacer Bars.

FIGURE 3 Is a sectional view similar to FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 showing the clear plastic sheet - vacuum formed to create a decorative bevel panelled effect sandwiched in-between float glass to make a three ply glazed unit.

Fig 3 9 Clear plastic/polymer* vacuum formed sheet to create a decorative bevel panelled effect. 10 Float glass.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EPITOME Referring now to Fig. 1 Is a flat sheet with raised bevel edges to the inner areas of the vacuum formed sheet (the outer areas of the sheet are flat to enable it to be three ply glazed, they can be clear or have an obscure effect). The Bevel areas may be seen to be divided into a plurality of closed segments by bevelled grooves on the outer side of the sheet but hollow on the reverse side of the bevels. Our Bevel is supplied as one sheet which can be cut down to the size required prior to glazing. The design is already in position. (there is no need for glues or ultra violet lights) The bevel will save the user lots of time. In a preferred epitome, the vacuum formed sheet is formed into repetitious patterns of design segments all enclosed with the bevelled grooves. The lead strips are applied after the Bevelled sheet is cut down to the required size. The adhesive lead may be of various widths depending upon the desired effect with one flat side. After lead has been applied to the raised bevel side you, may if required apply colour film and a second plurality of lead strips to coincide with the first lead strips to the reverse side of the Bevel, thus simulating authentic lead caming.

Referring now to FIG.2 is a sectional end view of the creative bevel within a three ply glazed unit. The vacuum formed sheet which is placed in-between two pieces of glass keeping the bevel clean and in its original condition. On either side of the bevelled sheet spacer bars are placed (of various sizes) to create the required thickness of a three ply unit. Then the edges of the unit are sealed to make the three ply glazed creative bevel.

Referring now to FIG.3 shows the completed Bevel which can be leaded or unleaded in a Triple Glazed unit. The bevel, lead and colour are inside the triple glazed unit which will never be exposed to the elements of weather.

The invention can also be practised more quickly, since the Creative Bevel is already formed in the correct position, than prior methods of bevelling and caming glass and the more recent individual glass flat bottomed bevels where you would have to position them and then glue them into place with ultra violet lights.

The vacuum formed sheets can be formed into any complex bevelled patterns, any letters and numbers by using our technique which provides mass manufacturing capability.

It is understood that the epitome described above is merely an example of the application of the principles of this invention.

Claims

Claim:

1. The method of preparing a simulated bevelled and leaded glass window structure in a three ply glazed unit. (sheet of glass, spacer bar, vacuum formed bevel membrane, spacer bar, sheet of glass with all outer edges bonded together to make a sealed unit.) a. Vacuum forming a plurality of bevelled grooves having flat bevelled sidewalls with sharp edges (giving a 3D effect) onto a single sheet of clear plastic/polymer* sheet (which can be formed with a clear or obscure pattern effect) and optical quality.

b. The creative bevel is totally separated from the outside pieces of glass by measured spacer bars on both sides ofthe creative bevel to create a three ply glazed unit.

c. By inserting self adhesive lead strips in-between the vacuum formed grooves on both the raised bevelled side and the hollow underside ofthe bevel to create the finished design and sealed in-between two sheets of glass separated by spacer bars to keep the simulated bevel from the elements of the weather.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein said step of vacuum forming the clear plastic/polymer* sheet to create a flat sheet (either clear or obscure) with raised bevelled edge segments to create a design on one side of the sheet, to making a 3D effect, but hollow on the reverse side of the bevelled vacuum formed sheet.

3. Each bevelled segment has space to apply self adhesive lead strips if required, thereby simulating lead came.

We want to emphasise that the creative vacuum formed bevel is in-between two pieces of glass.