US2945269A - Double pane window structure - Google Patents

Description

July 19, 1960 R. .1. DoMEN DOUBLE PANE WINDOW STRUCTURE Filed April 2. 195e INVENTOR l?. JMS OMf'lV BY guna, M,

Thisinvention relates to windows and especially window s having apluralityof panes.

f 'Il he window has a wide varietyof uses such as in the walls; doors or ceilings of stationary or mobile structures. typical use is in dwellingsf or in other buildings used forihosing people f i r 'Generally the purpose of a plural pane window is to '2,945,269 Patented July 19, 1960 l ce extending portion 12 within which a preferably transparent window pane 13 ts. A ange =14 projects inwardly of axial portion 12 for engaging peripheral portions of the outer face of pane 13. A glazing compound 15 is preferably provided between ilange 14 and pane 13.

A second frame 18 supports a second pane 19, also preferably transparent, Within axial portion 12 of frame provide insulation. Heretofore plural pane windows have been provided by mounting ordinary storm windows adjacentco'nventional single pane windows. Storm winlows must'usually be put up and taken down seasonally, usually necessitates considerable strenuous and time-consuming elorh j j -f .Heretofore various types of double'pane window structureshavebeen' provided to eliminate .the necessity for the conventional storm. window. One general type requires ajhermetic'seal between the panes for retaining an atiosphere'fof dried gassuch asnitrogen to prevent condensation'on theppane interiors.` This type window is relatively expensive.. In another general type the frame "f provided" with holes `so that the space between the panesjcan breathe. This structure is unsatisfactory because it does not prevent condensation on the pane inter'i` sin allv situations and at the same time insects and dirtfiget in' between `thepanes so that the window must frequently be dismantled for .cleaning purposes.

Anobject of this' invention is to provide a simple, inexpensive double pane-window structure which is sealed tightly enough to eliminate the necessity for frequent int`e'rnal cleaning and which is free from internal condensation. i Another object of the invention is to provide a 'structure which can be quickly and simply dismanreplacement 'be-necessary. 'i v v I*"Fhe'invention. generally contemplates mounting two panes on a frame with an ordinarily air-tight seal between the panesgand providing a desiccant in the space between "the'rrames to absorb moisture for "preventing condensationllv .The panes are/secured to the frame by frictionally. resiliently Ifixed glazing clips. The glazing cli ,e ed framehave apposed shoulders extending generaly: perpendicular to the planes of the panes and having exposed edges so that the clips can be detached by simply inserting al tool between the shoulders and spreading them apart. fwOneformnof theiinvention is shown in the accompanying drawings.

'Fi'gf l is an elevational view of a Window embodying thismirivention'. W f Y Y I FrgZ l'an"enlarged sectional perspective view illustrating structure ofthe window.

Fig. 3 is similar to Fig. '2 except that a glazing clip -isshown in a diierent position.

supporting structure not shown. Frame l1 has an axially 11 and in spaced relation from pane V13. Frame 18 preferably comprises a plurality of glazing strips each having a U-shaped channel 20 receiving an edge portion of pane 19. A glazing compound 21 is preferably provided beltween pane 19 and channel 20. Pane 19 is somewhat smaller than pane 13 so that when glazing `strips 20 are tted around it, the glazing strips will it within axial por- Ition =12 of frame I1. Each glazing strip 18 has a portion 23 extending laterally of U-shaped channel 20 toward pane 13. Extension 23 is provided with a preferably tubular sealing element. 24 which engages against the interior face of pane `13. Seal 24 is yformed of a resiliently distortable material such as -a natural or synthetic rubber or a plastic. Frame 11 has a recess 27 adjacent outer leg 28 of channel 20 and extending generally transversely of axial portion 12. Recess 27 has an inner wall 29 and an outer wall 30 which may be of re-entrant form -as shown at 31. Frame 11 has a shoulder 32 adjacent outer recess wall 30 extending transversely of the general plane of the window and having an exposed outer edge 33.

Inner frame 18 and panes 13 and 119 are secured on outer frame 11 by a plurality of elongate glazing clips 35. Each clip has a preferably cammed linger 36 ad# jacent its upper edge portion 37 (as Figs. 2-4 are viewed) and has a downwardly projecting edge portion 38. Clip 35 has an intermediate shouldered portion 39 with an outer edge 40. In Vassembled relation of the parts (Fig. 2), upper edge 37 of the glazing clip engages outer leg 28 of U-shaped channel 20, and lower edge portion 38 of clipA 35 engages against inner wall 29 of recess 27. Shoulder 39 on the clip is engaged against shoulder 32 on frame 11, and an intermediate portion 42 of the clip adjacent shoulder 39 is engaged against outer wall 30 of the recess. Edges 33 and 40 of shoulders 32 and 39 respectively are exposed at one face ofthe window. Edge portions 37 and 38 of clip 35 are stressed outwardly or to the left as Fig. 2 is viewed so that the clip is frictionally engaged with inner frame 18 and outer frame 11.

Clip 35 forces frame or strip elements 18 inwardly or to the right as Fig. 2 is viewed so that tube 24 is sealingly engaged against the inner face of pane `13 as shown. The seal provided by tube 24 is adequate to prevent any appreciable movement of air into and out'of the dead space 'formed bythe panes and frame members. A desiccant is provided in the dead air space to absorb moisturefrom the air and prevent condensation on the inner surfaces of the panes upon external changes of temperature. The desiccant preferably comprises a cartridge 44 of a form-retaining material which has substantially the same size in moist and dry conditions. An example of a suitable' material is -an amorphous, porous silica gel of the type which changes color to indicate moisture content.

In use it may be assumed that window 10 has been assembled in a window opening. The glazing compound at `'15 and 21 provides generally permanent air-tight joints between pane 13 and frame 11 and betweenpane l19 and inner frame 18. Tube 24 provides a detachable seal against pane 13. While these seals provide a generally air-tight space between the panes, they do not provide a hermetic seal -in the ordinary sense of the word. A certain amount of air leakage may occur around the seals because of thermal expansion and contraction of air in the dead space, barometric pressure changes, and the like.

'Desiccant cartridge 44 is adequate to keep the vair in the dead space dry over a relatively long period of time to prevent moisture condensation on the interior surfaces of the panes. However,.in the .course of time the .desicf cant may .become saturated ,due to slight leakage of moist air into the dead space. Also leakage may carry a small amount of dirt into the dead air space so that ythe interiors of the panes in the course of time may become dirty. Consequently it may be desirable to re- 'i move pane 19 .for cleaning purposes or for drying or replacing cartridge 44. 'To remove pane 19 a tool such as `a screw driver 'is inserted in the juncture between edges '33 and 40. .of shoulders 32 .and 39. The shoulders are forced apart, shifting clip 35 upwardly as Figs. 2-4 are viewed relatively to frame 11 `to disengage upper edge 37 of the clip from outer leg 28 of inner frame memberA 18. The clip is then lifted upwardly to withdraw its lower edge 38 from recess 30 thereby exposing inner frame 18. Inner frame 18 and pane 19 are withdrawn from outer frame 11 -to facilitate cleaning the interior surfaces of the panes Ior replacement or Ydrying of ydesiccant .cartridge 44.

To rreassemble the window, inner frame 18 with its pane 19 and desiccant cartridge 44 are slidably inserted within yframe 11.. Lower edge 38 of clip 35 is inserted inrecess E2.9, and upper edge 37 Iof the clip is positioned against outer element 28 of frame 18 so that the parts are generally in the position shown in Fig. 3. Clip 18 is then forced downwardly as Figs. 2-4 are viewed. Wedge element 36 forces upper edge 37 of the clip outwardly So that intermediate portion -42 of the clip bears against outer wall 30 of the recess and so that lower edge 38 of the clip is levered against inner wall 29 of the recess.

This position of the parts is illustrated in Fig. 4. The clip is under stressed condition with its edges frictionally engaging inwardly against frame members 1l-and 18 and with its central portion frictionally engaging outwardly against frame member 11. Frame 18 is forced inwardly so that tube 24 again seals against pane 13. Clip 35 is then forced downwardly to engage shoulder 39 against shoulder 32 on outer frame member 11 as illustrated in Fig. 2.

It is important to note that the juncture between shoulders 39 and 32 is in exposed position Iand that a tool may be inserted between the shoulders in a direction transverse to the general planes of panes 13 and 19. This structure facilitates simple, rapid breakingof the joint for removal of the outer pane 19. In the event that corrosion occurs at the joint such as through the action of water, cleaning materials, and the like, the corroded joint can be quickly and easily broken Aapart by running a relatively thin blade such as a knife blade along the joint. Clip 35 may then be removed in the manner described.

The window can be quickly and conveniently dismantled and reassembled by an unskilled person and without special tools.

-I cl-aim:

l. Window structure comprising, a window pane, a window frame, means providing a glazing element removably mounting said pane on said frame, a clip for detachably securing said glazing element in pane mounting relation on said frame, said glazing element having a face portion, said frame having -a shoulder which is spaced from said face portion and which extends generally in a plane transverse to 'the plane ofthe window pane, said clip having a shoulder extending generally in the same direction as the frame shoulder, said shoulders being in interfacial engagement, s'aid clip having a surface engaging a surface of said frame adjacent the interfacing shoulders, said clip having a face portion engaging said face portion of lsaid 'glazing element, "said clip being stressed between its said surface and face portion so that said surfaces and face portions frictionally resist movement of said clip relative to said glazing element and frame, said surface of said clip and said face portion of said glazing element lying generally parallel planes so that said interengaged surfaces and said interengaged face portions are generally reotilinearly -slidably v:relative to each other for detaching said clip from said frame and glazing element,` .said 'interfacing .shoulders vdefini-ng 'la crack exposedat .an .outer` face of said window structure into which a tool "can be inserted to produce generally rectilinear relativemovements of -s'aid surfaces and face portions.

2. 'Ihe combination dened in claim 1 wherein said surface on said clip has generally flat planar form, the plane ofwhichextends. generally parallel to the. plane ofsaidwindowpane. ,g K if.

3. Window structure comprising, a Ywindow pane, a window frame, means providing a glazing element remov-v ably mounting Ksaid pane onvsaid frame,a clip for detachably securing said glazingl element in pane `mounting relation onsaid frame, said glazing element having a face portion, saidframe having -a shoulder which is spaced from said face portion and which extends generally in a plane transverse to `the plane of the `window pane, said clipv having a shoulder extendinggenerallyin the same direction as the frame shoulder, said shoulders being in interfacial engagement, said clip having a surface engag-v ing a surface of said frame. adjacent the interfacing shoulders, said clip having a faceportion yengaging said face portion of said glazing. element, said clip being stressed between its said surface and face portion so that said surfaces and face portions frictionally resist move# ment ofsaid clip relative to said glazing element and frame, said surface. of said clip. and saidv face portion of. said glazing element lying in generally parallel planes so that said interengaged surfaces and said interengaged face portions are generally rectilinearly slidable relative to each other for detachingu said clip from Ysaid frame and glazing element, s'aid interfacing shoulders defining a crack exposed at an outer face of said window structure into which a tool canbe inserted to produce generally rectilinear relative movements of said surfaces and face portions, said face portion of said clip including a portion disposed at an angle to said faceportion of said glazing.

' element and another portion which engages said portion of said glazing element in 'assembled` relation of the parts, said angled portion providing a wedge engaging said face portion of said glazing element and urging said clip toward its said stressed condition upon assembly of theparts.

References Cited inthe tile of patent i.

UNITED STATES PATENTS.

579,4'60 AWilbur Marl 23,1897 919,887 Kohler. r a.. Apr. 27, 1909 985,800 Hartbauer '.Y v Mar. 7, 1911 2,095,892 Place Oct. 121937 2,202,694 Haux p May 28, 1940 2,264,187 `Owen Nov. 25, `1941 2,294,295 Hankins et al. Aug.;'25,1942 2,305,957 Edwards Dec. 22,- 19.42 2,525,717 Ottenheimer Oct., 10, 1950 2,844,197 Kelly et al. July 2951958 FOREIGN VPATENTS Y A Y France t..`. .`................f.. Apr. 28,1947

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