Patent Application
20060292364
The present invention relates to a glass reinforcement strip.
Wind damage to buildings and structures can occur during periods of high wind and/or severe storms. One relative weak spot in a typical building is a window. Ordinary window glass, while being hard, is not terribly strong against side loads. A high wind loading on a window pane can cause the glass to break or shatter. Window replacement can be costly and bothersome. A broken window can also let in rain, snow, insects, animals, intruders, etc.
In addition, research into hurricane damage has shown that a broken window or windows can enable high winds to enter a structure and cause further damage, such as damage to walls, siding, roofing, etc. These structural components are built to withstand relatively high outside pressures but do not exhibit the same strength and interlocking nature for high inside pressures. A common result is that when upwind windows fail, the high winds subsequently enter the structure and cause significant damage to the downwind regions of the structure. For example, a portion of the roof (or even the entire roof) may be blown upward and off of the structure.
One approach in the prior art has been the installation of plywood or other sheeting over windows. While effective, installation of protective sheeting has drawbacks. Installation of protective sheeting is expensive, especially for large sized windows or where the structure includes a large number of windows. The cost of plywood continues to increase, and can reach exorbitant levels before a large, oncoming hurricane. Before significant storms, such as hurricanes, plywood and other suitable sheeting can become scarce. In addition, installation of protective sheeting over windows is relatively time-consuming, as each sheet may require cutting and the installation of multiple fasteners.
Another approach in the prior art has been the installation of hurricane shutters that can be closed over windows as a storm approaches. Hurricane shutters offer high strength and can be designed to aesthetically fit with the structure. However, they have drawbacks. Protective shutters are costly, especially for large sized windows or where the structure includes a large number of windows. In addition, they require upkeep. Further, protective shutters cannot be quickly installed (such as immediately preceding severe weather), and may require tools and construction expertise in order to install.
Another approach in the prior art has been the installation of hurricane-rated window glass. The hurricane-rated window glass can comprise tempered or strengthened glass. Alternatively, hurricane-rated window glass can comprise glass panes sandwiched over an inner clear layer, such as plastic, in order to form a strong and impact resistant window. In yet another alternative, a window pane can comprise a glass pane having a film bonded to at least one side. The film serves to hold together the glass pieces if the window fails in order to prevent shards of glass from flying through the air. However, this prior art approach also has drawbacks. Hurricane-rated window glass is costly, especially for large sized windows or where the structure includes a large number of windows. In addition, hurricane-rated window glass cannot be quickly installed, such as immediately preceding severe weather. Further, the large cost of retro-fitting existing windows strongly discourages upgrading to hurricane-rated window glass.
A glass reinforcing strip for a glass pane is provided according to an embodiment of the invention. The glass reinforcing strip comprises a first substantially planar contact portion formed of a sheet material and a second substantially planar contact portion formed of the sheet material and substantially coplanar with the first contact portion. The glass reinforcing strip further comprises a displaced portion formed of the sheet material and located between the first contact portion and the second contact portion and non-coplanar with the first contact portion and the second contact portion. The displaced portion creates at least some rigidity in the glass reinforcing strip.
A glass reinforcing strip for a glass pane is provided according to an embodiment of the invention. The glass reinforcing strip comprises a first substantially planar contact portion formed of a sheet material and a second substantially planar contact portion formed of the sheet material and substantially coplanar with the first contact portion. The glass reinforcing strip further comprises a substantially stackable displaced portion formed of the sheet material and located between the first contact portion and the second contact portion and non-coplanar with the first contact portion and the second contact portion. The substantially stackable displaced portion creates at least some rigidity in the glass reinforcing strip.
A glass reinforcing strip for a glass pane is provided according to an embodiment of the invention. The glass reinforcing strip comprises a first substantially planar contact portion formed of a sheet material and a second substantially planar contact portion formed of the sheet material and substantially coplanar with the first contact portion. The glass reinforcing strip further comprises a displaced portion formed of the sheet material and located between the first contact portion and the second contact portion and non-coplanar with the first contact portion and the second contact portion. The displaced portion creates at least some rigidity in the glass reinforcing strip. The glass reinforcing strip further comprises a bonding agent deposited on at least a portion of the first contact portion and the second contact portion. The bonding agent is adapted to bond the glass reinforcing strip to the glass plane.
A glass reinforcing strip for a glass pane is provided according to an embodiment of the invention. The glass reinforcing strip comprises a first substantially planar contact portion formed of a sheet material and a second substantially planar contact portion formed of the sheet material and substantially coplanar with the first contact portion. The glass reinforcing strip further comprises a displaced portion formed of the sheet material and located between the first contact portion and the second contact portion and non-coplanar with the first contact portion and the second contact portion. The displaced portion creates at least some rigidity in the glass reinforcing strip. The glass reinforcing strip further comprises a flexible reinforcing layer adhered to the first contact portion and the second contact portion. The adhesive cloth is adapted to bond to the glass plane and hold the glass reinforcing strip to the glass plane.
The same reference number represents the same element on all drawings. It should be noted that the drawings are not necessarily to scale.
The glass reinforcing strip 100 can be substantially removably or substantially permanently affixed to the glass pane 101. The glass reinforcing strip 100 can be reusable. In one embodiment, the glass reinforcing strip 100 is affixed to the glass pane 101 by a bonding agent 203 (see
The glass reinforcing strip 100 can be added to one or both sides of a glass pane 101, such as a window. Multiple glass reinforcing strips 100 can be affixed to a glass pane 101. The glass reinforcing strip 100 can be applied to new windows or can be retrofitted to existing windows. Due to the minimal installation required in order to affix a glass reinforcing strip 100 to a glass pane 101, windows of a house or other structure can be reinforced immediately before (and even during) a storm or high wind conditions.
The glass reinforcing strip 100 can be affixed to the glass pane 101 in any desired or needed orientation. The glass reinforcing strip 100 can be cut to fit the glass pane 101. The glass reinforcing strip 100 can be provided in bulk lengths.
The displaced portion 105 can provide a greater strength and rigidity than a flat member. The displaced portion 105 includes a width W and a depth D. Both the width W and the depth D can vary. The strength and rigidity of the displaced portion 105 can be varied according to the type of material used, according to the thickness, and according to a geometry of the displaced portion 105 (i.e., the width W, the depth D, and the profile of the displaced portion 105).
The glass reinforcing strip 100 can be formed in many ways. The glass reinforcing strip 100 can be molded, pressed, stamped, folded, joined, assembled, etc. The glass reinforcing strip 100 can be formed of any suitable material. The glass reinforcing strip 100 in one embodiment is formed of a partially or completely transparent material. The glass reinforcing strip 100 in one embodiment is formed of a substantially rigid material. The glass reinforcing strip 100 in another embodiment is formed of a partially flexible material. A partially flexible glass reinforcing strip 100 can better fit to the glass pane 101 if the glass pane 101 includes curves, ripples, or other imperfections.
Another feature of the invention is that the glass reinforcing strip 100 can comprise stackable glass reinforcing strips 100, wherein the displaced portions 105 comprise stackable profiles. Consequently, for higher wind loads or larger windows, individual glass reinforcing strips 100 can be stacked on top of each other. Each new glass reinforcing strip 100 can be affixed to the glass reinforcing strip 100 below it. A stack of multiple glass reinforcing strips 100 can bond to each other in order to form an even stronger reinforcement structure.
In one embodiment, the bonding agent 203 can comprise any manner of suitable adhesive. In another embodiment, the bonding agent 203 can comprise a carrier (such as a tape or strip) that is impregnated with any manner of suitable adhesive. For example, the bonding agent 203 can comprise a double-sided tape or adhesive strip.
The flexible reinforcing layer 507 can comprise any suitable flexible or semi-flexible material. In one embodiment, the flexible reinforcing layer 507 comprises an adhesive-coated film. In another embodiment, the flexible reinforcing layer 507 comprises an adhesive-impregnated cloth. It should be understood that the various embodiments of the flexible reinforcing layer 507 can include embedded fibers (or other structures) for additional reinforcement strength.
The glass reinforcing strip according the invention can be implemented according to any of the embodiments in order to obtain several advantages, if desired. The glass reinforcing strip according to the invention strengthens a glass pane. The glass reinforcing strip according to the invention prevents breakage. The glass reinforcing strip according to the invention holds the pieces together in the event of breakage in order to prevent flying glass.
The glass reinforcing strip according to the invention is inexpensive, features a quick installation process, requires no tools to install, can be applied to new windows, and can be retro-fitted to existing windows.
A reinforcing installation can use as many glass reinforcing strips as needed. The glass reinforcing strips can be installed on one or both sides of a glass pane and can be oriented as needed. Glass reinforcing strips can be installed on both sides of a window in a perpendicular or opposing orientation for increased strength and rigidity. In addition, multiple glass reinforcing strips can be stacked on top of each other in order to form a stronger reinforcing structure. The glass reinforcing strips are relatively small and can be easily stored when not in use.
