MXPA06004661A - Integrally extruded glazing member for a sash assembly - Google Patents

Abstract

A sash member for housing a glass unit for a window or door comprising a main body and a non-separable glazing member extruded together with said main body as a single unit. The glazing member moves between an unlocked position and a locked position relative to the main body. A hinge preferably connects the non-separable glazing member to the main body, so as to allow movement of the glazing member between the locked and unlocked positions.

Description

GLASS ELEMENT FOR AN INTEGRALLY EXTRUDED SHEET ASSEMBLY FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to window and door leaf assemblies, including sheet assemblies for a fixed frame or photo frame assembly. Most particularly, the present invention relates to a blade assembly having a glazing element that is integrally extruded with the blade assembly in an open configuration.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION A patio or window door leaf assembly is typically comprised of a glass unit surrounded by a sheet frame having horizontal sheet elements, referred to as sheet rails, and vertical sheet elements, referred to as sheet stiles. Once the frame of the leaf elements is connected to each other, the glass unit is placed therein, a stained glass element, commonly referred to as a stained glass strip, is then inserted into a receiving channel located within the sheet elements to provide a more pleasing finish or appearance for the window frame assembly. The glazing element is typically not required to secure the glass unit within the window frame, but generally only has an aesthetic purpose. As shown in Figure 1, a typical prior art glazing element 2 has an L-shaped body that is designed to fit into a receiving channel 3 located within a window sheet element 4. Also other forms of glazing elements, such as a T-shape or a U-shape can be used. In the case of the L-shaped glazing element 2 shown in Figure 1, the shorter horizontal leg 7 is adjusted in the receiving channel 3, while the longer vertical leg 5 of the glazing element 2 is parallel to the rear part or glazing leg 6 of the sheet element 2, and is seated next to the glass unit 8. Typically it is provides a caulking material, such as silicon, between the window paw 6 and the glass unit 8 to hold the glass unit 8 in position and to seal it so that water or dust does not enter between the glass unit 8 and the blade assembly 2. There are several inconveniences associated with the incorporation of known window elements in the window or door leaf assemblies. Many window and / or door sheet assemblies require that the window element and the sheet element be extruded or molded as two separate pieces, and that they be fixed to each other after extrusion or molding of the sheet element and the window element. window. However, the separate manufacture of the glazing element, and the subsequent fixing thereof to each of the leaf elements of the window frame or door, requires an important amount of time. In addition, it often requires expensive labor due to the existing need for workers to properly position the stained-glass element within a sheet member and secure it to the leaf frame of the window or door. Several alternative window and / or door leaf methods and assemblies have been contemplated or created to correct this problem. For example, U.S. Patent No. 5,713,159 to Schmidt ("Schmidt") discloses a plastic window sheet element and a window element that are extruded as a single piece. Very particularly, as shown in figure 2 of the present document, the glazing element 12 and the window leaf element 14 are connected to each other along a protuberance 19. Because the horizontal leg 16 of the glazing element 12 is designed to fit in the receiving channel 13, the glazing element 12 and the blade element 14 must first be separated from one another along the protrusion 19 before the glazing element 12 can be placed inside of the reception channel 13. However, there are still several drawbacks that are the result of the construction of the Schmidt window assembly. For one, the glazing element 12 is not extruded in a position or configuration that is ready for installation. Rather, several steps are required before the glazing element 12 can be assembled with the window sheet assembly. Specifically, the glazing element 12 must be separate from the blade element 14, suitably positioned so that it fits within the channel 13 of the window sheet element 14, and then it must be forced or otherwise inserted into the channel 13 so that it is retained in it. The time it takes to cut, remove and then install the glazing element 12 in the window sheet assembly can be an added and excessive expense. Additionally, ensuring that the stained glass element 12 is properly positioned so that both ends of the stained glass element 12 are working with the sheet of the window element requires additional time and the need for manual labor. Also, it is difficult with this arrangement to apply a caulking material against the glazing leg of the blade member 14. All of these factors reduce the production volume and serve to increase the overall costs. In view of the need to reduce manufacturing and assembly costs, including the elimination of the manual assembly of the glazing element 12 in a window or door leaf assembly, it would be beneficial, therefore, to provide an improved window sheet assembly. and new that can be assembled by a machine in its entirety or almost in its entirety.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention is designed to overcome or minimize the drawbacks associated with prior art window assemblies by provisioning an improved blade assembly for a door or window wherein the main body of a leaf element is integrally extruded together with a corresponding stained glass element as a piece, such that once the sheet element is extruded and then assembled in a frame, the frame can receive a glass unit therein as well as immediately secure the stained glass element Main body of the leaf element. In this aspect, the blade assembly, in accordance with the present invention, does not require the separation of a glazing element prior to its insertion into the frame of the blade elements of a blade assembly. According to one aspect of the present invention, a blade element for housing a glass unit for a window or door comprises a main body and a non-separable glass element extruded together with the main body as a single unit. The glazing element is constructed and accommodated to move between an unsecured position and a secured position relative to the main body. Preferably, the glazing element is secured to the main body in the secured position when the glazing element moves to the secured position. In a preferred embodiment of this aspect of the present invention, the glazing element is joined to the main body by means of an integral hinge that allows the movement of the glazing element between the unsecured and secured positions. Preferably, the integral hinge is a dual durometer hinge. According to a further preferred feature of this aspect of the present invention, the main body includes a cornice having a flange, and the glazing element comprises a primary leg and a secondary leg such that the secondary leg engages the flange of the cornice when the glazing element is in the secured position. According to a further preferred feature of this aspect of the present invention, the glazing element has a primary leg and a secondary leg extending from the primary leg. The main body has a plurality of sides and a bridge connecting two of the plurality of sides, and a cornice having a flange. The cornice extends from one of the plurality of sides and through at least a portion of the bridge to create a cavity. When the secondary leg is located within the cavity and engages the flange, the secondary leg is secured to the main body. According to a further aspect of the present invention, a leaf element is provided for housing a glass unit for a window or door. The leaf element has a main body; a stained glass element fixed to the main body and extruded together with the main body as a single unit; and a fixing element for fixing the window element to the main body. The main body, the glazing element, and the fastening element are extruded together as a single unit. This prevents the glazing element from separating from the main body. The glazing element is in an open configuration relative to the main body and has the ability to move to a closed configuration relative to the main body. In a preferred embodiment, the fastening element is a hinge that is in an extended position when the glazing element is in the secured configuration, and in a bent position when the glazing element is in the unsecured configuration. Preferably, the hinge is a dual durometer hinge. According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a leaf element for housing a glass unit for a window or door which comprises a main body and a glass element. The glazing element is integrally fixed to the main body along a hinged portion and can be moved from an insertion position relative to the main body to a stained glass position relative to the main body by bending along the hinged portion. . Preferably, the glazing element has a blocking element that can be inserted into a cavity in the main body so that the glazing element can be locked or secured in the glazing position. More preferably, the blocking element is a secondary leg extending from the window element, and the main body further includes a cornice extending through at least a portion of the bridge to create a cavity for the secondary leg when the glazing element is in the stained glass position. In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a blade assembly for housing a glass unit for a window or door comprising a plurality of blade elements and an insulated glass unit. At least one of the plurality of leaf elements has a main body and a non-separable glass element integrally extruded with the main body of the leaf element as a single unit. The glazing element is fixed to the main body of the leaf element by means of a hinge so that the glazing element can move from a first open position relative to the main body to a second closed position, relative to the main body. Accordingly, according to the present invention, various blade assemblies are described which overcome or minimize the drawbacks of the prior art. These and other features and functions of the present invention will be apparent from the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments, which should be read by virtue of the appended figures in which corresponding reference numbers refer to corresponding parts in the various views .

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES Figure 1 is a cross-sectional perspective view of a prior art window sheet element assembly showing a window leaf element, a window leaf glazing element and a window glass unit. Figure 2 is a cross-sectional view of another prior art window sheet element and an integrally formed glazing element. Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view of an integral sheet element and glazing element according to the present invention, wherein the glazing element is shown in an open configuration. Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view of the window sheet element and the integral glazing element shown in Figure 3, wherein the glazing element is shown in a partially closed configuration. Fig. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the window sheet element and the integral glazing element shown in Fig. 3, wherein the glazing element is shown in a fully closed configuration.

Figure 6 is a cross-sectional perspective view of a portion of a window sheet assembly according to the present invention, wherein the window glass unit is positioned within the frame and the window elements are in their open configuration. Figure 7 is a cross-sectional perspective view of a portion of the window sheet assembly shown in Figure 6, but where the window elements are shown in their closed configuration. Figure 8 is a perspective view of a patio door assembly according to the present invention, wherein each of the sheet elements has an integral glazing element. Figure 9 is a perspective view of a portion of the patio door assembly shown in Figure 8.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION In describing the preferred embodiments of subject matter illustrated and to be described with respect to the figures, specific terminology will be used for purposes of clarity. However, the invention is not intended to be limited to the specific terms thus selected and it will be understood that each specific term includes all technical equivalents that operate in the same manner or in a similar manner to achieve the same or a similar purpose. Figure 3 illustrates an example of a portion of a blade assembly according to the present invention. In a preferred embodiment, the sheet assembly is a sheet element for a window, although the sheet element may also be used to construct a door, or a fixed frame or photo frame assembly. To facilitate the analysis, the modalities will be described with reference to a window. The portion of the window sheet assembly shown comprises a leaf element 102 further comprising a main body 104 having an integrally extruded stained glass element 106 fixed thereto. As will be described in more detail in the present invention, once the frame (not shown) of the leaf elements 102 is assembled together, an insulated glass unit 146 can be installed in the frame of the elements of sheet 102 to complete a window sheet assembly. It should be appreciated that, according to the present invention, the leaf element 102 may comprise a horizontal leaf element or a vertical leaf element. The main body 104 of the leaf element 102 has a plurality of sides. In a preferred embodiment, there are four sides with a bridge. The first side 112 of the main body 104 is located on the side that will be opposite the insulated glass unit 146. The channels 110, 114 can be incorporated in the first side 112 and are designed to receive insulation strips (not shown). ). The second side 108 of the main body 104 of the leaf element 102 is preferably planar. The second side 108 includes a support wall 136 that extends beyond the third side 132. As will be described in greater detail in the present invention, the support wall 136 is used to support the insulated glass unit 146 that is to be installed in the leaf element 102. Returning to the third side 132 of the leaf element 102, the support wall 136 of the second side 108 is located at one end, and a cornice 128 is located at the other end. A bridge element or section 118 extends between the fourth side 116 and the third side 132 of the leaf element 102. Because the cornice 128 extends through a portion of the bridge element 118, a cavity 117 is created between the third and fourth sides 116, 132. Preferably a locking rod 120 is provided which is located on the bridge element 118 to divide the cavity 117 into a first and second cavities 119, 121. The end and fourth side 116 of the Main body 104 is opposite to second side 108. The preferably flat portion of fourth side 116 does not extend the same distance as second side 108, but ends at the point where stained glass element 106 is fixed to leaf element 102. However, as will be illustrated in greater detail in the present invention, when the stained-glass element 106 is in the closed configuration, the combined length of the fourth side 116 and the stained-glass element 106 will extend a distance. This preferably corresponds to the general height of the second side 108 of the main body 104. The second primary component of the leaf element 102 is the glazing element 106 which is integrally fixed to one of the sides of the main body 104, namely the fourth side 116. The glazing element 106 is preferably composed of a primary leg 115 which, in its initial position, extends away from the fourth side 116 of the leaf element 102. The primary leg 115 is preferably slightly curved and tapers from its widest point where it is connected to the main body 104 of the leaf element 102 to a preferably curved tip 123. A secondary leg 126 also protrudes from the primary leg 115 at a point between the tip 123 of the glass element 106 and the point wherein the primary leg 115 is connected to the main body 104. The secondary leg 126 has a rounded end and a locking projection 125 which, as described will go into greater detail in the present invention, assists in securing the stained glass element 106 to the main body 104 of the sheet element 102 without the need for adhesives or additional materials. The ability of the stained glass element 106 to move from a first position to a second position is possible through the use of a hinge connecting the stained glass element 106 to the main body 104 of the sheet element 102, thus enabling the stained glass element 106 moves from an open or unsecured configuration to a closed or secured position (and vice versa). The type of hinge that is preferably used is a dual durometer hinge 113. Dual durometer hinges are well known in the art, but are incorporated for the first time in a preferred embodiment of a leaf element 102 according to the present invention. Dual durometer hinges are typically formed using a coextrusion process. The co-extrusion allows the hinge material to be partially formed from a material softer than the rest of the leaf element 102, namely, the main body 104 and the glazing element 106. The formation of the hinge 113 from a softer material provides the dual durometer hinge with sufficient flexibility to allow the movement of the glazing element 106 from an open configuration to a closed configuration, but provides it with sufficient rigidity to prevent the glazing element 106 from easily breaking or becoming damaged. detach from the main body 104 of the leaf element 102. A dual durometer hinge, such as the hinge that is described in U.S. Patent No. 4,463,046 issued to Hutchinson on July 31, 1984, which is incorporated in the present invention by reference, can be executed in accordance with the present invention, although other types of dual durometer hinges could be employed. The glazing element 106 is adapted to move from its open or unsecured configuration to its closed or secured configuration when force is applied to the glazing element 106. Most particularly, when a force Fi is applied to the glazing element 106 in the In the general direction shown in Figure 3, the stained glass element 106 will begin to move or rotate from its open or unsecured configuration to a closed or secured configuration. Referring to Figure 4, the stained glass element 106 is shown in a partially closed configuration. In this position, the glazing element 106 is positioned so that the secondary leg 126 of the glazing element 106 is positioned near the cavity 117 of the main body 104 of the sheet element 102. Although the flexibility of the dual durometer hinge 113 facilitates the positioning of the secondary leg 126 at the entrance of the cavity 117, in the preferred embodiment, unless an additional force F2 is applied to the stained glass element 106 to force the secondary leg 126 into the cavity 117, and very particularly, the first cavity 119 thereof, the secondary leg 126 will not be able to advance further into the first cavity 119. When additional force F2 is applied to the stained glass element 106, the secondary leg 126 of the stained glass element 106 will snap into the first cavity 119 and in a closed configuration, as shown in Figure 5. It should be appreciated that two separate forces Fi and F2 are not required to move the stained-glass element 10. 6 in a closed configuration, but are simply illustrated to demonstrate that a certain amount of force or pressure is required to press fit the glazing element 106 in its final closed configuration. Therefore, the application of the appropriate amount of force to the glazing element 106 allows movement of the glazing element 106 to its closed or secured configuration. Referring to Figure 5, the glazing element 106 is illustrated in its fully closed or secured configuration. The force applied to the glazing element 106 causes the secondary leg 126 of the glazing element 106 to be pushed past the end or rim 130 of the cornice 128 (Fig. 4) so that the locking projection 125 of the secondary leg 126 engages the end or flange 130 of the cornice 128. The locking rod 120 on the bridge element 118 prevents further movement of the secondary leg 126 causing the secondary leg 126 to abut the locking rod 120. In this position, the element of The glazing 106 remains fixedly secured to the main body 104 of the sheet element 102. When the glazing element 106 is in its closed or secured configuration, the tip 123 of the glazing element 106 is partially deformed at the location where the tip 123 of the stained glass element 106 contacts the insulated glass unit 146. As shown in figure 5, approximately 0.15cm - 0.31cm from tip 123 is flattened. This excess amount of the flattened material provides a greater surface area for the tip 123 of the glazing element 106 to contact the second side 144 of the insulated glass unit 146. Although not required, this provides a secondary means to secure the unit of insulated glass 146 instead. Once the locking projection 125 of the secondary leg 126 of the glazing element 106 engages the flange 130, the glazing element 106 closes securely. Another force (not illustrated) would be required if it is desired to remove the stained glass element 106 from the cavity 117 of the sheet element 102. The stained glass element 106 is an important aspect according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention. modality. When window sheet elements having window elements 106 are used and assembled in accordance with the present invention, it is possible to almost completely automate assembly procedure of a fully finished sheet assembly. Unlike prior art, glazing element 106 shown in Figure 3 is preferably integrally extruded as part of sheet element 102. Extrusion of glazing element 106 as part of sheet element 102 allows element of glass 106 to be extruded toge with main body 104 of a leaf element 102 in an open or unsecured configuration that can easily receive an insulated glass unit 146. advantage of said leaf element 102 is that glass element integrally extruded 106 eliminates need to first obtain (by cutting, separate extrusion or molding) a separate glazing element, and second, need to manually place and secure glazing element 106 in cavity 117 of sheet element 102. Automation Substantially complete window leaf assembly procedure is now possible due to manual labor or additional steps of co If glazing element 106 is pressed, adhesive is applied, and inserted into sheet element 102, are no longer necessary. Ra, leaf elements 102 are extruded with glazing element 106 in a first open or unsecured configuration, which allows a machine to install an insulated glass unit 146. efore, a machine can lift or move glazing element 106 in its closed or secured position. Preferably, coextrusion device uses a die head constructed and accommodated so that stained glass element 106 is extruded in its open or unsecured position, ie, a position where secondary leg 126 of stained glass element 106 and flange 130 of ledge 128 are not coupled toge. Two streams of material are fed simultaneously through die: a first stream of material that will form main body portion and portions of glazing element of blade member 102 and a second stream of material having a different hardness that will form dual durometer hinge 113 by means of which glazing element 106 is fixed to main body 104. Typically, primary machine, which feeds harder material, and smaller machine, which feeds softer material, work toge to simultaneously feed two currents through die. Once two materials exit die, can be joined toge without need for adhesives or like, thus allowing formation of a leaf element 102 having stained glass element 106 placed in an open configuration relative to main body. 104. In a preferred embodiment, first stream fed through die is a polyvinyl chloride, and secondary stream is a softer polyvinyl chloride. However, it should be appreciated that e are o combinations of materials that can be used in accordance with present invention. When newly bonded materials exit die of extrusion device, preferably device cuts material to an appropriate length of sheet element 102. In addition, ends of leaf elements 102 are preferably cut at angles so that ends respective of leaf elements 102 can be joined to o leaf elements 102 in a complementary fashion to form a corner. One or more extrusion devices may be used to prepare and provide sheet elements 102 of appropriate size. As illustrated and described in present invention, leaf elements 102 are extruded so that glass elements 106 are in r open or unsecured configuration. Referring to Figure 6, once individual leaf elements 102 are formed, are joined at corners in a convenient manner, such as through bevelling and welding so that once joined they assume the shape of a window frame. Similarly, as shown in Figure 6, the ends 164 of the glazing elements are not cut straight, but angled or beveled. Once the stained glass elements 102 are connected to each other, a frame 180 is formed having stained glass elements 106 in their open configuration, wherein the stained glass elements 106 of the stanchions 160 (also referred to as sheet elements) and leaf rails 162 (also referred to as sheet elements) are in an open configuration that allows an insulated glass unit 146 to be placed directly on the frame. The insulated glass unit 146 has first and second sides 142, 144 and is preferably composed of two panes and a spacer 145 located between the two panes. (See figure 3). It should be appreciated that the insulated glass unit 146 can be constructed and accommodated according to known methods for the construction of window panes. Most particularly, when the sheet elements 102 are assembled together as a frame 180, such as by beveling and welding, the inner surface of each of the supporting walls 136 is provided with a slat 139 of caulking material, such as silicon. . This strip 139, as best seen in Figures 3-5, is commonly referred to as a reinforcement seat. The reinforcing seat 139 preferably extends completely around the periphery of the frame 180 (see Figure 6). The insulated glass unit 146 is then placed within the frame 180 so as to remain against the reinforcing seat 139 of the caulking material provided in the support walls 136 of the elements of the main body 104 around the periphery of the frame 180. The seat reinforcement 139 of silicon or other caulking material serve to keep the insulated glass unit 146 in place, and to provide a seal and thus prevent water, dirt and dust from entering between the insulated glass unit 146 and the wall support 136 of the leaf elements 102. In essence, the reinforcement seat 139 fills the space between the insulated glass unit 146 and the support walls 136 (see figure 5). Preferably, ridges 138 are provided on the interior surface of each support wall 136 to provide an increased surface area for the reinforcement seat 139 to remain in place. (See figures 3, 5 and 6). As best seen in Figures 3-5, the insulated glass unit 146 is preferably positioned so that the edges of the insulated glass unit 146 do not come into contact with the third sides 132 of the leaf elements 102. the preferred embodiment, this is achieved by placing a plurality of bumpers 134 on the third sides of the main bodies 104 of the leaf elements around the four sides of the frame 180. The bumpers 134 have a thickness of 0.15cm -0.31cm, and at least two bumpers 134 are used for each leaf element 102. The placement of the insulated glass unit 142 away from the third sides 132 of the leaf elements 102 (i.e., leaf rail or leaf pillar) prevents the insulated glass unit 146 breaks or fractures prematurely due to undue stress or pressure of the leaf elements 102. Referring to Figure 7, once the insulated glass unit 146 is placed inside the frame of window 180, the respective glazing elements 106 can be moved or rotated to their secured or closed position, wherein the secondary legs 126 are located within the respective first cavities 119. In the closed positions, the glazing 106 elements cause the length of the fourth sides 116 of the main body elements 104 and the glass elements 106 equals approximately the length of the second sides 108 of the main bodies 104. (See figures 5 and 7). further, in the preferred embodiment, the tips 123 of the glazing elements 106 will be located approximately at the same height as the separators 145 located in the insulated glass unit 146. This is best seen in Figure 5. It should be appreciated that the elements of sheet 102, according to the present invention, can be assembled together to form a frame 180 (Figure 6) using known assembly methods, such as welding or the use of screws. The method for assembling the leaf elements 102, according to the present invention, is therefore not limited to the steps described herein, but could encompass all known methods of window assembly. As described herein, the assembly of a window sheet assembly, in accordance with the present invention, makes it possible to achieve substantially complete automation of the window assembly process. Once the window sheet elements 102 are extruded, a machine can assemble each of the window sheet elements 102 in the form of a frame 180. Because the stained glass elements 106 remain in their original open configuration a Once the frame 180 is assembled, a machine can apply the reinforcement seat 139 of caulking material to the support walls 136 of the leaf element 102. Once the reinforcement seat 139 is applied and the driver unit 139 insulated glass 146 against it in the window sheet assembly, the insulated glass unit 146 will lie and be secured against, or adjacent to, the support walls 136 of the main bodies 104 of the leaf elements 102. See Figures 3 and 6. The glazing elements 106 can then be moved from their open configurations to their closed configurations, as best seen in figures 5 and 7, by means of a machine arm or arms. Therefore, the assembly procedure, according to the present invention, can eliminate or at least minimize the need for a manual assembly of the window leaf assembly, and can significantly reduce the cost and time of manufacture of assemblies. of window and door leaf. It should be appreciated that the teachings of the present invention can also be applied to the construction of door assemblies, such as the patio door assembly 200 shown in Fig. 8. Typical patio door assemblies, such as shown in Figure 8, they are approximately 1.52 meters to 2.43 meters wide and 1.82 meters to 2.43 meters high, so that each patio door panel is approximately 0.76 meters to 1.21 meters wide. The patio door assemblies may have a fixed door panel and a movable door panel, or they may have two movable door panels. In Figure 8, there is an outer frame 201 with a fixed patio door panel 202, and an interior moveable patio door panel 204 that is slidable relative to the fixed frame 200 and the fixed patio door panel 202. Figure 9 shows a portion of the movable patio door 204 without the glass unit 146. The movable patio door 204 is very similar to the window sheet assembly previously described in the present invention. The door leaf elements 205 each have a main body 206 and a stained glass element 208 fixed to the main body 206 by means of a dual durometer hinge 213. The main body 206 can have a reinforcing bar 207 therein. , in accordance with the teachings of pending application EUA serial number 10 / 953,385 filed on September 29, 2004, the description of which is incorporated herein by reference. The glazing element 208 can be constructed and accommodated in accordance with the teachings described herein. Therefore, the glazing elements 208 have the ability to move from an open position to a closed position, and can be secured to the main bodies 206 through the use of a locking mechanism., as described above for the window sheet elements 102 (Figure 7). Although the present invention has been described with reference to particular embodiments and preferred dimensions or ranges of measurements, it will be understood that these embodiments are merely illustrative of the principles and applications of the present invention. In addition, it will be appreciated that the present invention may assume several alternative orientations. Therefore, it will be understood that numerous modifications may be made to the illustrative embodiments and that other arrangements may be contemplated without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention as defined in the following claims.

Claims (34)

NOVELTY OF THE INVENTION Having described the present invention, it is considered as a novelty and, therefore, the content of the following is claimed as a priority: CLAIMS

1. - A sheet element for housing a glass unit comprising a main body and a non-separable glass element extruded together with said main body as a single unit, said window element constructed and accommodated to move between an unsecured position and a secured position with respect to said main body.

2. The sheet element according to claim 1, characterized in that said glazing element is secured to said main body when said glazing element is in said secured position.

3. The leaf element according to claim 1, further comprising an integral hinge that joins said window element to said main body, and wherein said integral hinge allows said movement of said window element between said unsecured position. and said secured position with respect to said main body.

4. The leaf element according to claim 3, characterized in that said integral hinge is in an extended position when said window element is in said secured position, and wherein said integral hinge is in a bent position when said window element stained glass is in said unsecured position.

5. The leaf element according to claim 3, characterized in that said integral hinge is a dual durometer hinge.

6. The leaf element according to claim 1, characterized in that said main body comprises a cornice that has a ledge, and said glass element comprises a primary leg and a secondary leg, said window element is in said secured position when said secondary leg of said window element engages said rim of said cornice of said main body.

7. The sheet element according to claim 1, characterized in that said leaf element is composed of polyvinyl chloride.

8. The sheet element according to claim 1, characterized in that said glazing element and said main body are extruded together as a piece so that at the end of the extrusion process, said glazing element is in said unsecured position.

9. The sheet element according to claim 1, characterized in that said glazing element is extruded to be in said unsecured position prior to the installation of a glass unit and so that it can be moved to said secured position afterwards. of the installation of said glass unit.

10. The sheet element according to claim 8, characterized in that said window element when it is in said unsecured position extends outwardly from said main body and wherein said window element when it is in said secured position is adjacent. to the glass unit installed in said leaf element.

11. The sheet element according to claim 8, characterized in that said leaf element further includes a locking mechanism for securing said window element to said main body when said window element is in said secured position.

12. The leaf element according to claim 11, characterized in that said locking mechanism comprises a secondary foot fixed to said window element and means for securing said secondary leg to said main body.

13. The sheet element according to claim 12, characterized in that said securing means comprise a cornice in said main body, said cornice has a flange that has the ability to couple said secondary leg of said window element.

14. The leaf element according to claim 11, characterized in that said blocking mechanism comprises a secondary element extending from said main body of said leaf element, and a coupling element in said window element, and said window element is in said secured position when said secondary element and said coupling element are coupled together.

15. The sheet element according to claim 1, characterized in that said window element further comprises a primary leg and a secondary leg extending from said primary leg, said main body has a plurality of sides and a bridge that connects two of said plurality of sides, and a cornice having a ledge, said ledge extends from one of said sides and through at least a portion of said bridge to create a cavity with said bridge, and said secondary leg of said element of glazing is secured to said main body when said secondary leg is within said cavity for coupling said flange.

16. The leaf element according to claim 15, further comprising a hinge, said hinge connects said window element to said main body and allows the movement of said window element from an open position to a closed position.

17. The leaf element according to claim 16, characterized in that said hinge is a dual durometer hinge.

18. The sheet element according to claim 1, characterized in that said leaf element is a window leaf element.

19. The sheet element according to claim 1, characterized in that said leaf element is a door leaf element.

20. A sheet element for housing a glass unit, said leaf element comprises a main body, a stained glass element, and a fixing element for fixing said stained-glass element to said main body, said main body, said element The glazing element and said fastening element are extruded together as a single unit, such that said glazing element can not be separated from said main body and said glazing element is in an open configuration in relation to said main body and can move to a closed configuration relative to said main body.

21. The sheet element according to claim 20, characterized in that a portion of said window element that is remote from said fixing element is secured to said main body when said window element is in said closed configuration.

22. The sheet element according to claim 20, characterized in that said fixing element is a hinge, said hinge is in an extended position when said window element is in said closed configuration, and said hinge is in a bent position when said window element is in said open configuration.

23. The leaf element according to claim 22, characterized in that said hinge is a dual durometer hinge.

24. The leaf element according to claim 23, characterized in that said main body and said glazing element are composed of polyvinyl chloride.

25. The leaf element according to claim 24, characterized in that said polyvinyl chloride is a first polyvinyl chloride, and said dual durometer hinge is formed of a second polyvinyl chloride, said first polyvinyl chloride has a hardness that is greater than said second polyvinyl chloride.

26. The leaf element according to claim 20, characterized in that said main body comprises a cornice having a ledge, and said glass element comprises a primary leg and a secondary leg, said window element being in said closed configuration when said secondary leg of said glazing element engages said cornice rim.

27. The leaf element according to claim 20, characterized in that said leaf element is a window leaf element.

28. The leaf element according to claim 20, characterized in that said leaf element is a door leaf element.

29. A sheet assembly comprising a plurality of leaf elements and an insulated glass unit, at least one of said plurality of leaf elements having a main body and a non-separable glass element integrally extruded with said main body of said leaf element as a single unit, said glass element is fixed to the main body of the leaf element by means of a hinge so that said glass element can be moved from a first open position to a second closed configuration. 30.- A leaf element comprising a main body and a glazing element, said glazing element being integrally joined to said main body along a hinged portion and can be moved from an insertion position to a stained glass position by bending along said hinged portion. 31.- The leaf element according to claim 30, characterized in that said main body has a cavity and said window element has a blocking element that can be inserted in said cavity in said main body to block said window element in said window position. 32.- The leaf element according to claim 31, characterized in that said blocking element comprises a secondary leg extending from said window element, and wherein said main body further includes a cornice defining a cavity within said window. main body, and said window element is in said window position when said secondary leg is located within said cavity of said main body and engages said cornice. 33.- The leaf element according to claim 20, characterized in that said leaf element is a window leaf element. 34. The leaf element according to claim 20, characterized in that said leaf element is a door leaf element.