WO1991015649A1 - Improvements in or relating to multiple-glazed units - Google Patents

Improvements in or relating to multiple-glazed units Download PDF

Info

Publication number
WO1991015649A1
WO1991015649A1 PCT/GB1991/000519 GB9100519W WO9115649A1 WO 1991015649 A1 WO1991015649 A1 WO 1991015649A1 GB 9100519 W GB9100519 W GB 9100519W WO 9115649 A1 WO9115649 A1 WO 9115649A1
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
tubes
tube
tongue
connectors
peripheral seal
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/GB1991/000519
Other languages
French (fr)
Inventor
Alan Howard Smith
John Smith
Original Assignee
Eet Limited
Tremco Uk Limited
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Eet Limited, Tremco Uk Limited filed Critical Eet Limited
Publication of WO1991015649A1 publication Critical patent/WO1991015649A1/en

Links

Classifications

    • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
    • E06—DOORS, WINDOWS, SHUTTERS, OR ROLLER BLINDS IN GENERAL; LADDERS
    • E06B—FIXED OR MOVABLE CLOSURES FOR OPENINGS IN BUILDINGS, VEHICLES, FENCES OR LIKE ENCLOSURES IN GENERAL, e.g. DOORS, WINDOWS, BLINDS, GATES
    • E06B3/00—Window sashes, door leaves, or like elements for closing wall or like openings; Layout of fixed or moving closures, e.g. windows in wall or like openings; Features of rigidly-mounted outer frames relating to the mounting of wing frames
    • E06B3/66—Units comprising two or more parallel glass or like panes permanently secured together
    • E06B3/663—Elements for spacing panes
    • E06B3/667—Connectors therefor
    • E06B3/6675—Connectors therefor for connection between the spacing elements and false glazing bars
    • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
    • E06—DOORS, WINDOWS, SHUTTERS, OR ROLLER BLINDS IN GENERAL; LADDERS
    • E06B—FIXED OR MOVABLE CLOSURES FOR OPENINGS IN BUILDINGS, VEHICLES, FENCES OR LIKE ENCLOSURES IN GENERAL, e.g. DOORS, WINDOWS, BLINDS, GATES
    • E06B3/00—Window sashes, door leaves, or like elements for closing wall or like openings; Layout of fixed or moving closures, e.g. windows in wall or like openings; Features of rigidly-mounted outer frames relating to the mounting of wing frames
    • E06B3/66—Units comprising two or more parallel glass or like panes permanently secured together
    • E06B3/663—Elements for spacing panes
    • E06B3/667—Connectors therefor

Definitions

  • Th is invention relates to sealed multiple-glazed window and door units and more specifically to such units in which a grid of tubes or bars is inserted between the panes of glass to break up the glass area.
  • I t is also already known to use spacer tubes joined at corners to form a frame for spacing two sheets of glass apart, the volume outside the spacer frame being filled with a sealant compound usually of a synthetic rubber or resinous nature.
  • a multiple-glazed uni£ having a peripheral seal made of metallic and desiccant-impregnated resinous sealant materials and a grid of tubes joined by cruciform or Y-shaped connectors inserted between sheets of glazing material; characterized in that the outermost tubes of the grid are rigidly fixed to said connectors at their inner ends and are attached to the peripheral seal at their outer ends by means of a member having an expanded foot area and a tongue, the foot area being fixed to the inner surface of the peripheral seal and the outer tube ends being mounted to frictionally slide on the tongue, so as to accommodate differential thermal expansion and contraction of the tubes within the unit.
  • the foot is adhered to the resinous sealant material of the peripheral seal.
  • the tongue is a frictional fit in the tube and has features which approximate to internal dimensions of the tube.
  • the tubes are weld-bonded and have internal weld beads left in place.
  • the connector is firmly fixed in the tube by means of vanes or fins on the connector which allow the connector to be inserted into the tube and to be lockingly engaged therein with the fins forming an interference fit with the tube inner surface, so that once inserted it is not easily withdrawn.
  • the foot and tongue of the member joining the tubes to the ⁇ seal are of the same colour as the material of the seal or transparent.
  • FIGURE 1 a plan view of a cruciform connector according to the invention.
  • FIGURE 2 a section through a welded "Georgian” grid tube as used in the invention, showing the weld-line.
  • FIGURE 3 a perspective view of a member for joining a tube to a peripheral seal, having foot and tongue portions.
  • FIGURE 4 a view of an assembled unit with the tubes attached to the peripheral seal by members as shown in FIGURE 3.
  • FIGURE 5 a typical Georgian grid for insertion between sheets of glass.
  • the cruciform joining-piece or connector 1 has four limbs la, lb, lc and Id terminating in flattened end portions 2a, 2b, 2c and 2d, with fins 3a, 3b, 3c and 3d which slope backwardly towards a central boss.
  • this connector will be injection moulded in Nylon (RT ) or other similar thermoplastic or ther osetting polymer material.
  • RT Nylon
  • this shows a section through a typical aluminium "Georgian" bar window tube 4, having flat areas 4a, 4b, and slightly-tapered ends 4c and 4d with shoulders between the flat areas and the tapered ends. This is a weld bonded tube with an internal weld bead left standing proud of the inner surface.
  • FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a joining member 5 for joining a tube as illustrated in Figure 2 to a peripheral seal of a double-glazed sealed unit.
  • the salient features are the foot portion 5a which is essentially a plate shaped to exclude air when fixed,and the tongue 5b which stands up in a plane at right angles to 5a and which is dimensioned to fit within a tube as shown in Figure 2.
  • the double glazed unit 6 has a peripheral seal 7, of which at least the inner surface is of a synthetic rubber or resinous material such as those specified in UK patent specification No.2,041,434 in the name of TREMCO INC. at lines 83 to 93 on page 4.
  • the four tubes (4) which form the Georgian grid are rigidly fixed onto the cruciform piece 1 by virtue of the fins 3a - 3d being a rigid interference fit with the inner surfaces of the tubes 4.
  • the outer ends of tubes 4 are a frictional fit over the tongues 5b of joining members 5 and are able to slide in and out on these tongues.
  • the tubes 4 are forced over the fins of the cruciform piece 1 up to the central boss.
  • the four joining members in a simple cross matrix 5 are then fitted into the outer ends of tubes 4, the tongues 5b being frictional sliding fits within the tube ends.
  • a lower sheet of glass is then furnished with a peripheral seal 7 which is a single strip of metal/desiccant impregnated resin which is eventually joined at one corner.
  • the feet 5a of joining members 5 are then adhered to the peripheral seal by self-adhesion, the tubes remaining as a sliding fit over the tongues 5b.
  • the grid need not be a simple cross, but is more often a matrix of vertical and horizontal tubes, where tubes (4) are fixed on to the connectors and the outermost tubes only are attached to feet (5) to allow them to be fixed to the peripheral metal/resin seal.
  • the resinous compound of the seal contains a desiccant to ensure that the air space between the two glass sheets is kept substantially dry.
  • a desiccant to ensure that the air space between the two glass sheets is kept substantially dry.
  • joining members 5 will be of the same colour and surface texture as the resinous inner surface of the peripheral seal 7, so that it will tend to merge with the seal in appearance.

Abstract

''Georgian'' grids for double-glazed unit have ends of the grid members (4) attached to the peripheral frame (7) by means of ''feet'' (5) which adhere to the peripheral frame members and which have tongues which slide in tubes forming the grid.

Description

Improvements in or relating to Multiple-Glazed Units
This invention relates to sealed multiple-glazed window and door units and more specifically to such units in which a grid of tubes or bars is inserted between the panes of glass to break up the glass area.
It is already known to assemble multiple glazed units wherein a corrugated strip of metal embedded in sealant material is used to form the peripheral seal between the sheets of glass. Reference is made, in this regard to UK patent specification No.2,041,434B in the name of TREMCO INC.
It is also already known to use spacer tubes joined at corners to form a frame for spacing two sheets of glass apart, the volume outside the spacer frame being filled with a sealant compound usually of a synthetic rubber or resinous nature.
It is further known to include between the panes of glass a grid or framework of metal tubes (Georgian in the UK; Mutin in USA) joined by cruciform or Y-shaped connectors so as to give a "Georgian" or similar window effect.
However there is a problem in joining the ends of these tubes to the peripheral frame or sealing strip in a way which allows for thermal expansion and contraction of the metal tubes and still permits a rigid grid to be maintained between the sheets of glass without buckling or sagging due either to the weight of the tubes or thermal expansion.
This invention seeks to overcome the problems referred to in the last paragraph. According to this invention there is provided a multiple-glazed uni£ having a peripheral seal made of metallic and desiccant-impregnated resinous sealant materials and a grid of tubes joined by cruciform or Y-shaped connectors inserted between sheets of glazing material; characterized in that the outermost tubes of the grid are rigidly fixed to said connectors at their inner ends and are attached to the peripheral seal at their outer ends by means of a member having an expanded foot area and a tongue, the foot area being fixed to the inner surface of the peripheral seal and the outer tube ends being mounted to frictionally slide on the tongue, so as to accommodate differential thermal expansion and contraction of the tubes within the unit.
Preferably the foot is adhered to the resinous sealant material of the peripheral seal.
Preferably the tongue is a frictional fit in the tube and has features which approximate to internal dimensions of the tube.
Preferably the tubes are weld-bonded and have internal weld beads left in place.
Preferably the connector is firmly fixed in the tube by means of vanes or fins on the connector which allow the connector to be inserted into the tube and to be lockingly engaged therein with the fins forming an interference fit with the tube inner surface, so that once inserted it is not easily withdrawn. Preferably the foot and tongue of the member joining the tubes to the^seal are of the same colour as the material of the seal or transparent.
The invention will be further described by reference to the following drawings which show:
FIGURE 1; a plan view of a cruciform connector according to the invention.
FIGURE 2, a section through a welded "Georgian" grid tube as used in the invention, showing the weld-line.
FIGURE 3; a perspective view of a member for joining a tube to a peripheral seal, having foot and tongue portions.
FIGURE 4, a view of an assembled unit with the tubes attached to the peripheral seal by members as shown in FIGURE 3.
FIGURE 5, a typical Georgian grid for insertion between sheets of glass.
With reference first to Figure 1, the cruciform joining-piece or connector 1 has four limbs la, lb, lc and Id terminating in flattened end portions 2a, 2b, 2c and 2d, with fins 3a, 3b, 3c and 3d which slope backwardly towards a central boss. In practice this connector will be injection moulded in Nylon (RT ) or other similar thermoplastic or ther osetting polymer material. With reference to Figure 2, this shows a section through a typical aluminium "Georgian" bar window tube 4, having flat areas 4a, 4b, and slightly-tapered ends 4c and 4d with shoulders between the flat areas and the tapered ends. This is a weld bonded tube with an internal weld bead left standing proud of the inner surface.
With reference to Figure 3, this is a perspective view of a joining member 5 for joining a tube as illustrated in Figure 2 to a peripheral seal of a double-glazed sealed unit. The salient features are the foot portion 5a which is essentially a plate shaped to exclude air when fixed,and the tongue 5b which stands up in a plane at right angles to 5a and which is dimensioned to fit within a tube as shown in Figure 2.
With reference to Figure 4 the double glazed unit 6 has a peripheral seal 7, of which at least the inner surface is of a synthetic rubber or resinous material such as those specified in UK patent specification No.2,041,434 in the name of TREMCO INC. at lines 83 to 93 on page 4.
To the inner surface of the four sides of this seal are adhered joining members 5 with the feet 5a thereof being directly adhered to the inner surface of the resinous part of the seal. The four tubes (4) which form the Georgian grid are rigidly fixed onto the cruciform piece 1 by virtue of the fins 3a - 3d being a rigid interference fit with the inner surfaces of the tubes 4. The outer ends of tubes 4 are a frictional fit over the tongues 5b of joining members 5 and are able to slide in and out on these tongues. On assembly, the tubes 4 are forced over the fins of the cruciform piece 1 up to the central boss. The four joining members in a simple cross matrix 5 are then fitted into the outer ends of tubes 4, the tongues 5b being frictional sliding fits within the tube ends. A lower sheet of glass is then furnished with a peripheral seal 7 which is a single strip of metal/desiccant impregnated resin which is eventually joined at one corner. The feet 5a of joining members 5 are then adhered to the peripheral seal by self-adhesion, the tubes remaining as a sliding fit over the tongues 5b.
Finally a second sheet of glass is s.uperimposed on the peripheral seal/Georgian grid combination and the seal is completed by means of pressure with or without heat imposed on the assembly, and the final corner of the peripheral seal is then heat sealed.
As shown in Figure 5, the grid need not be a simple cross, but is more often a matrix of vertical and horizontal tubes, where tubes (4) are fixed on to the connectors and the outermost tubes only are attached to feet (5) to allow them to be fixed to the peripheral metal/resin seal.
The resinous compound of the seal contains a desiccant to ensure that the air space between the two glass sheets is kept substantially dry. Various modifications may be made within the scope of this invention. Thus the shapes of the cruciform, Georgian tubes and joining member 5 may be varied as long as the limbs of the cruciform and the tongues of the joining members fit within the inner cross-section of the tubes. Further the cruciform may be substituted by a Y-section as opposed to an X-section connector for the tubes.
Desirably the joining members 5 will be of the same colour and surface texture as the resinous inner surface of the peripheral seal 7, so that it will tend to merge with the seal in appearance.
On thermal expansion, the outermost tubes remain locked on the cruciform but will be able to move in and out on the joining members 5.

Claims

1. A multiple-glazed unit having a peripheral seal (7) made of metallic and desiccant-impregnated resinous sealant materials and a grid of tubes (4) joined by cruciform of Y-shaped connectors (1) inserted between sheets of glazing material; characterized in that the outermost tubes of the grid are rigidly fixed to said connectors at their inner ends and are attached to the peripheral seal at their outer ends by means of a member (5) having an expanded foot area and a tongue, the foot area being fixed to the inner surface of the peripheral seal and the outer tube ends being mounted to frictionally slide on the tongue, so as to accommodate differential thermal expansion and contraction of the tubes within the unit.
2. A multiple-glazed unit as claimed in claim 1 wherein the foot area is adhesively attached to the resinous material of the seal.
3. A multiple-glazed unit as claimed in claim 1 wherein the tongue is a sliding fit in the tube and has features which frictionally fit with internal dimensions of the tube.
SUBSTITUTESHEET
4. A multiple-glazed unit as claimed in claims 1, 2 or 3 wherein the tubes are weld-bonded and have internal weld beads left in place.
5. A multiple-glazed unit as claimed in claim 1 wherein the connectors have fins which enable limbs of the connectors to be forced into the tubes but which resist withdrawal of the connectors from the tubes.
6. A member for joining a tube to a peripheral seal having an expanded flat foot and a tongue at right-angles thereto, the tongue having features complementary to the inner surface of a tube into which it is to fit.
SUBSTITUTESHEET
PCT/GB1991/000519 1990-04-03 1991-04-03 Improvements in or relating to multiple-glazed units WO1991015649A1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB9007456A GB2242699A (en) 1990-04-03 1990-04-03 Decorative grid inserts for double-glazing
GB9007456.8 1990-04-03

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
WO1991015649A1 true WO1991015649A1 (en) 1991-10-17

Family

ID=10673768

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
PCT/GB1991/000519 WO1991015649A1 (en) 1990-04-03 1991-04-03 Improvements in or relating to multiple-glazed units

Country Status (3)

Country Link
GB (1) GB2242699A (en)
IE (1) IE911093A1 (en)
WO (1) WO1991015649A1 (en)

Cited By (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
FR2697281A1 (en) * 1992-10-22 1994-04-29 Saint Gobain Vitrage Int Solar protection insulation panel of toughened glass - comprises two or three sheets in sealed frame with alloy strip solar screen inside outer sheet desiccant at bottom of gaps
DE19714557C1 (en) * 1997-04-09 1999-02-11 Werner Dipl Ing Schmitz Cross-stay with four arms
DE19911110C2 (en) * 1998-03-31 2001-03-15 Werner Schmitz End plugs for rungs of insulating glass panes

Families Citing this family (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB2286419B (en) * 1994-02-11 1997-02-12 Ukae Limited Centre key
EP0857847B1 (en) * 1997-02-12 2002-04-24 Lenhardt Maschinenbau GmbH Assembly method for insulating glazing panels with thermoplastic spacer and inserted false glazing bars, false glazing bars therefor and thus manufactured insulating glazing panels
WO2005075782A1 (en) 2004-02-03 2005-08-18 Karl Lenhardt Insulating glass pane and method for the production thereof
DE102005023507A1 (en) * 2004-04-26 2006-08-17 Karl Lenhardt Insulating glass pane has one of compounds e.g. sealing compounds which is adhered to inner side of spacer piece and that glazing bars are anchored indirectly or directly on or in compound
DE102005023506B4 (en) * 2005-01-18 2007-03-22 Karl Lenhardt Insulating glass pane and method for its production

Citations (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE2637034A1 (en) * 1976-08-17 1978-02-23 Lingemann Helmut Old house renovation double glazed window spacer frame - has crossbars inside, connected to frame tubular bars
EP0241775A2 (en) * 1986-04-14 1987-10-21 CERA Handelsgesellschaft mbH Frame for supporting insulating glass plates
US4783938A (en) * 1988-02-05 1988-11-15 Sne Enterprises Window panel assembly
GB2220694A (en) * 1988-07-12 1990-01-17 Ashton Ind Sales Limited Lattice assembly and profiled clip for use therein

Family Cites Families (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB715070A (en) * 1952-01-09 1954-09-08 Standard Pressed Steel Co A joint for flexible hoses
GB1402533A (en) * 1971-07-09 1975-08-13 Tissington D C Method of providing a fluid inlet or oultet in the wall of a container
IT984847B (en) * 1973-01-31 1974-11-20 Vetroresina Spa REINFORCED RESIN NOZZLE PARTICULARLY SUITABLE FOR WELDING ON PRODUCTS SUCH AS CONTAINERS, PIPES AND SIMILAR AS WELL AS PRODUCTS EQUIPPED WITH THE Aforementioned PORTS

Patent Citations (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE2637034A1 (en) * 1976-08-17 1978-02-23 Lingemann Helmut Old house renovation double glazed window spacer frame - has crossbars inside, connected to frame tubular bars
EP0241775A2 (en) * 1986-04-14 1987-10-21 CERA Handelsgesellschaft mbH Frame for supporting insulating glass plates
US4783938A (en) * 1988-02-05 1988-11-15 Sne Enterprises Window panel assembly
US4783938B1 (en) * 1988-02-05 1993-06-25 Sne Enterprises Inc
GB2220694A (en) * 1988-07-12 1990-01-17 Ashton Ind Sales Limited Lattice assembly and profiled clip for use therein

Cited By (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
FR2697281A1 (en) * 1992-10-22 1994-04-29 Saint Gobain Vitrage Int Solar protection insulation panel of toughened glass - comprises two or three sheets in sealed frame with alloy strip solar screen inside outer sheet desiccant at bottom of gaps
DE19714557C1 (en) * 1997-04-09 1999-02-11 Werner Dipl Ing Schmitz Cross-stay with four arms
DE19911110C2 (en) * 1998-03-31 2001-03-15 Werner Schmitz End plugs for rungs of insulating glass panes

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
GB2242699A (en) 1991-10-09
IE911093A1 (en) 1991-10-09
GB9007456D0 (en) 1990-05-30

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