Patent Application
20100325981
The present invention relates in general to manufacturing and installation of glazing units, and more specifically it relates to mounting devices and method for installation and holding glazing units against a supporting structure.
Glazing units such as glazed windows and doors used for wall and roof constructions must be capable of resisting both the static and dynamic loads as well as the impact loads to which they will be subjected. Principle wall and roof loads are created by high winds, and in the northern climates, by snow and ice. The evaluation of pressures exerted by wind on a building is complex, and local code requirements for wind forces can vary widely depending on the weather extremes expected in the area. The recommended design wind pressure on plane surfaces which are normal to the wind, increases with the height of the structure above ground level. Wind may also produce suction or pressure depending on configuration of the walls and the roof.
Swirling winds against building structures can cause damage by penetrating building envelopes such as by breaking windows due to flying debris or high wind pressure allowing wind to rush into the houses and buildings pressuring the interior thereof. The vacuum caused by high winds rushing over the walls and roof in conjunction with the pressurized interior of the houses and buildings can cause substantial damage to the supporting structure. In extreme weather regions, such as in the hurricane ravaged areas of Florida, rigorous testing standards are being employed in new building codes to address the structural damage caused by hurricanes due to inadequate building construction. Thus, the challenge for the construction industry is to provide glazing units, such as windows, doors, etc. that meet the industry requirements.
One of the problems which causes inadequate building and house construction is due to poor retention of the glazing panels within the respective window and door structures which is due to inadequate amount of glazing compound or sealant which is provided in manufacturing of the glazing units. In manufacturing of the glazing units known in the prior art, weight of the glass panels provides a substantial pressure on an unsolidified sealant or glazing compound disposed in the receiving structures of the glazing frames. In this manner, in the prior art sealant or glazing compound is often squeezed out leaving a minimal amount thereof for the anchoring purposes. Such limited amount of sealant is often not enough to properly secure the glazing panel or glass within the frame. This causes highly undesirable separation of the glazing panels or glass from the respective frame. Such situations are specifically exacerbated in the localities exposed to the extreme whether conditions discussed hereinabove.
Another problem encountered by the prior art structures is utilization of materials which are not fully compatible with glazing compounds. In such instances, sealant is often ripped or torn in many areas causing highly undesirable separation of the glazing panels from the support structures.
Thus, it has been a long-felt and unsolved need for a device and method of manufacturing and installation of glass units resulted in the improved holding of the glazing panels and the supporting structure, and also provides a better compatibility with a sealant.
One aspect of the invention provides a mounting device for holding a glazing panel securely against a supporting structure in a predetermined orientation within the mounting device being supported by the supporting structure, so as to fit between the supporting structure in a glazing panel. The device consists of a base, a plurality of spaced-apart supporting members extending outwardly therefrom in the first direction. The base and support members defining a substantially base plane. The restricting structure is spaced from the base and extends within the restricting plane transversely to the supporting plane. The glazing panel is disposed within the supporting plane, so as to be supported by the base and support members.
As to another aspect of the invention, the restricting structure restricts longitudinal motion of the glazing panel and prevents contacts between the glazing panel and the respective portion of the supporting structure. The at least one connecting member consists of a plurality of spaced from each other connecting members extending from the base in the second direction which is opposite to the first direction, so as to define a gap between the base and the restricting structure. The restricting structure comprises at least a pair of restricting elements separated by an intermediary element, so that the restricting structure is formed having a C-shaped configuration and the restricting and intermediary elements define the restricting plane which is transverse to the base plane.
As to a further aspect of the invention, each support member extends between a proximal end connected to the base and a free distal end. The engaging formation having a substantial outer periphery is provided at the distal end of each support member so as to engage the glazing panel. A gap is formed between the connecting elements, the intermediate element and the restricting portion of the base member. The restricting structure can be connected to the base member by a multiplicity of the connecting elements, so as to form a plurality of the gaps between the base structure and the restrictive structure.
As to still another aspect of the invention, an operational space is formed between the glazing panel and the supporting structure. The operational space is a function of an outer periphery of the engaging formations.
As to still further aspects of the invention, in an assembled condition, the mounting device absorbs and re-distributes the weight of the glazing panel from the glazing compound to the support plane of the device and to the limited area of the outer periphery of the engaging formations. In this manner, in the assembled condition of the invention, an unsolidified glazing compound enters spaces between the support members and the gaps between the base member and the restricting structure, so as to enhance anchoring of the mounting device and the glazing panel within the support structure.
As to a further aspect of the invention, the mounting device of the invention is made of a material which is fully compatible with silicone sealants and other glazing compounds, so as to provide a better adhesion between a glass sealant and the entire support structure.
Referring now to the drawings in general and to
A base plane of the device, which is adapted to receive and support the respective glazing panel, passes substantially through the base member 12 and support members 14 including the engaging formations 22. It will be discussed hereinbelow that the diameter or an outer periphery of the engaging formations 22 is indicative of and control the operational space “A” between the glass panel and the frame of support structure (see
The restricting structure 30 is spaced from the base member 12 of the support structure and extends within a restricting plane oriented transversely to the base plane of the device. In the embodiment of
Although, in the preferred embodiment, the restricting structure 30 is formed by a pair of spaced-apart restricting elements 24 and 26. It should be noted that the extension of the intermediary element 28, so as to accommodate a greater plurality of the restricting elements is also contemplated. In such embodiment, the restricting structure is connected to the base member 12 by a greater multiplicity of the connecting elements. In this manner, a plurality of the gaps 36 between the base structure 20 and the restricted structure 30 are formed.
The above-discussed alternate embodiment of the mounting device of the invention is illustrated in
In the preferred embodiment, the mounting device of the invention is made of a hydroscopic material which is fairly soft in durometer, such as Nylon for example. Nylon is also compatible with silicone sealants and other glazing compounds utilized in the industry. A hydroscopic nature of Nylon is also advantageous since it can absorb about 1-1.5% of moisture depending on how it is compounded. This is important since hydroscopic cure is a part of the mechanism of formation of glazed units utilizing the mounting device of the invention. In other words, Nylon provides better adhesion to the silicone based glazing compound, so as to assure minimal separation between the glass and the glazing rebate or sealant. Although use of Nylon has been described hereinabove, it should be obvious to a person of ordinary skill in the present art that the device of the invention can be manufactured from other materials which are soft in durometer, compatible with glazing compounds and/or hydroscopic, such as plastics, etc.
Referring to now
As clearly illustrated in at least
In the prior art a substantial weight of the glass panels applies a great deal of pressure on the unsolidified sealant disposed on the receiving flange or glazing leg of the frame. In this manner, a sealant or glazing compound is squeezed out leaving a minimal amount thereof for the anchoring purposes. Such minimal amount of sealant is often not enough to properly secure the glass to the frame. Upon the plurality of mounting devices 10 of the invention being installed into the unsolidified glazing compound sealant, it is assured that the proper amount of sealant is retained throughout periphery of the frame. Without the device of the invention, as often occurs in the prior art, a substantial weight of the glazing panel applies a pressure against the wet silicone glazing compound to squeeze it out and to leave a very limited amount thereof for the anchoring purposes. In the prior art, a user is often left with an unsatisfactory amount of wet silicone glazing compound between the glass and frame. With the plurality of mounting devices of the invention, a proper distance or the operational space “A” is established to hold the glass panel 44 away from the frame 42, 40 so as to retain an ample amount of sealant between two surfaces. When the plurality of mounting devices are in place, their purpose is to retain a proper space between the glass and the frame to ultimately accommodate a proper amount of sealant or back bedding material between the frame and glass panel.
