Patent Application
20230016273
Penetration resistance is a property that is desired in various environments and in various applications. Examples of such applications include providing structures that can withstand storm debris impacts, impacts associated with detonation of explosive or improvised explosive devices (IED's), such as car bombings or the like, and building security windows, etc. Understandably, the degree and nature of the penetration resistance performance is largely related to the use and construction of the underlying structure as well as the ability of the structure or window mounting arrangement to withstand the weight, forces, temperatures, etc. associated with considerations related to movability and/or the underlying operation of the window and window frame and building structures with which they are supported to provide a desired degree of penetration resistance or ability to withstand the various energies associated with the proximity of the origin of the respective detonated energies and materials accelerated thereby.
With respect to storm proofing applications, others provide window and door assemblies that can be constructed to provide variable degrees of debris or projectile impact resistance. As shown in
Still further, with respect to configuring existing structures to provide penetration resistance, the existing underlying structures associated with supporting the respective doors and windows are commonly ill-suited to withstand the additional loading associated with replacement of such structures. That is, storm proof windows and doors are generally substantially heavier than traditional window and door frame assemblies such that the underlying building framing must be designed and constructed to support the loading that the transparent window structures are intended to withstand. Such considerations are more problematic in multi-floored structures and/or structures having floor-to-ceiling window and/or door panels wherein the underlying structural framing is ill-suited to withstand the addition forces associated with penetration resistant window and door panels and the weight and forces customary thereto. Accordingly, a first aspect of the present invention is directed to providing glass panel structures that exhibit improved penetration resistance or panel failure to existing window and/or door structures and particularly, the transparent portions thereof.
Still further, although many such storm proofing applications provide improved security of the building envelope when subjected to prolonged durations of increased wind and water events, such approaches are commonly ill-suited to withstand the energy or percussive wave and temperature conditions attenuate to proximate detonation of munitions or otherwise improvised explosive devices and/or repeated impacts due to the nefarious activities such as riots or the like. That is, although many storm proofing window assemblies are capable of withstanding the compressive loadings associated storm events such as hurricanes, typhoons, or the like, many approaches associated with the improving the ability of window assemblies to withstand storm loading are incapable of withstanding the faster propagating and higher temperatures associated with wartime and/or nefarious detonations effectuated in close proximity to the window assemblies. Commonly, storm or hurricane window assemblies fail to maintain the desired separation between the surrounding atmosphere and the volume of the building envelope due to the increased temperature loading relative to the opposing lateral sides of the window assembly. That is, the quickly elevated temperature of the exterior facing surface of the window assembly relative to the decreased temperature of the interior facing surface of the window assembly, commonly associated with a condition environment, tends to impart separation between the discrete layers of the storm window assemblies and failure to provide the desired isolation between the respective environments.
Further still, were the respective window assemblies provided in a construction methodology sufficient to withstand the storm event, the mounting arrangements associated with such window assemblies are commonly constructed to withstand loads only as great as the relative storm related loading of the window assemblies. Exposure of the window assemblies to loads greater than those customary to storm events can result in premature failure of the window mounting methodologies employed to secure the respective storm windows to the surrounding structure of the building envelope. Still further, actions by nefarious actors such as rioters or looters, becoming aware of the ability of storm windows to withstand repeated impacts without failure of the glass panel construction, tend to attack window frame assemblies with the expectation of faster penetration and/or remove of the transparent panels or portions thereof sufficient to allow unauthorized access and egress from target environments.
Therefore, a need exists for building window assembly wherein the transparent window panels provide improved structural integrity and securing methodologies wherein greater efforts or impact energies are required to effectuate failure of the pane of transparent material and/or related mounting assemblies that are constructed to be of a weight and construction sufficient for cooperation with customary building mounting arrangements and that are better equipped to withstand forced, temperature related, or blast removal or penetration of the window and associated frame assemblies from the building structures to a degree sufficient to mitigate undesired access to the building environment and in a manner that does not unduly interfering with customary building construction practices.
The present invention relates to transparent window and window mounting assemblies that overcome one or more of the shortcomings disclosed above. The security window mounting frame assembly, system, and method of installing building security windows that are constructed to provide controlled passage of temperature waves and/or compression waves around a security window pane and to the opposing sides thereof so as to increase the resistance to penetration of the opening that is shaped to receive the window and window mounting assembly.
One aspect of the application discloses a window support assembly that includes a window support frame that is constructed to be disposed about at least a portion of perimeter of an impact resistant transparent window assembly. The window support frame includes a support portion that extends across at least a portion of a thickness of the impact resistant transparent window assembly and a flange that extends radially inboard from the support portion to overlie a portion of a radial edge of the impact resistant transparent window assembly. A first opening and a second opening are formed through the support portion of the window support frame and each provide a respective passage through the window support frame at respective locations that are radially outboard of a footprint of the impact resistant transparent window assembly and wherein the first opening and the second opening are disposed about the impact resistant transparent window assembly and vertically offset from one another.
Another aspect of the present application that is usable or combinable with one or more of the above features or aspects discloses a security window assembly that includes a frame that is constructed to extend along at least a portion of an opening defined by a building structure. The frame includes a riser that is oriented to be disposed in a plane of a security window and located radially outboard of the security window. A reinforcement flange extends along a portion of at least one side of the security window and a mounting flange extends in a lateral direction from the riser and is constructed to secure the frame to the building structure. A first opening is formed through the riser and defines a passage that fluidly connects opposing sides of the security window at a location radially outboard of a perimeter of the security window and a second opening is formed through the riser that defines another passage that fluidly connects opposing sides of the security window at a location radially outboard of the perimeter of the security window and which is vertically offset from the passage defined by the first opening.
A further aspect of the present application that is usable or combinable with one or more of the above features or aspects discloses a method of forming a security window assembly. The method includes providing a laminated window pane assembly that is shaped to overlie a building window opening. A frame assembly that is constructed to cooperate with the laminated window pane assembly is provided and is constructed to define a riser that extends between the laminated window pane assembly of the building window opening. A first opening and a second opening are formed through the riser such that each of the first opening and second opening extend to opposing sides of the laminated window pane assembly and the first opening is located nearer a bottom of the laminated window pane assembly than the second opening and the second opening is located nearer a top of the laminated window pane assembly than the first opening.
These and other aspects, features, and objectives of the present invention will be appreciated and understood from the following brief description of the drawings and the detailed description of that which is shown therein.
A clear conception of the advantages and features constituting the present invention will become more readily apparent by referring to the exemplary, and therefore non-limiting, embodiments illustrated in the drawings accompanying and forming a part of this specification, wherein like reference numerals designate the same elements in the several views.
In the drawings:
The present invention and the various features and advantageous details thereof are explained more fully with reference to the non-limiting embodiments described in detail in the following description.
Window assembly 100 includes a window frame assembly 110 that is constructed to support the transparent projectile penetration resistant pane 102 of window assembly 100 and prevent the translation of pane 102 relative to its fixed position associated with weather resistant panes 402, . . . , X. Window frame assembly 110 includes a support, a support portion, or a riser 112; a reinforcement, flange, or reinforcement flange 114; and a mount or mount plate 116 that are secured to one another. Preferably, riser 112 flange 114, and mount plate 116 are each constructed of steel materials. It is appreciated that riser 112, flange 114, and mount plate 116 could be constructed in an integral or continuous manner or formed of a plurality of more readily commercially available dimensional steel materials that are welded to one another or otherwise fabricated so as to define a desired cross section of frame assembly 110 specific to a given application and/or discrete size defined by a building opening intended to overlay or be obstructed by window assembly 102. That is, it is appreciated that riser 112 could be provided as square or rectilinear steel tube stock and flange 114 and mount plate 116 could be provided as dimensional steel flat stock and/or as a unitary structure in the form of angle steel stock.
Regardless of the manufacturing methodology employed, flange 114 is constructed to extend in an inward radial direction, indicated by arrow 118, relative to the geometric plane defined by transparent panel or pane 102 so as to radially overlap at least a portion of a radial edge 120 or perimeter of transparent impact resistant pane 102. Although flange 114 is shown as extending along one 106 of the respective lateral sides 104, 106 of pane 102 associated with the secondary side associated with a respective direction of impact, it is appreciated that flange 114 could be provided in a generally U-shaped construction so as to extend along both of the opposing sides 104, 106 in a generally mirror configuration. Mount plate 116 extends in a lateral direction, indicated by arrow 122, relative to the plane defined by transparent panel 102 and generally normal to direction 118 of flange 114. As disclosed further below with respect to
One or more fasteners 130 cooperate with mount plate 116, and pass through optional support posts 124 when employed, and securely engage adjacent building structure 128 so as to secure frame assembly 110 relative thereto. Less impact tolerant window assemblies 402, . . . , X are commonly secured to building structures 128 via extruded aluminum assemblies 134 or the like and commonly have one or more gaskets or similar weatherproofing materials 138, such as caulk or the like, associated with providing the weatherproofing seal associated with window assemblies 402, . . . , X relative to the adjacent building structures 128. Optional support posts 124 are constructed to provide both compression and shear load bearing engagement between building structures 128 and mount plate 116 when the aluminum extruded frame members 134 extend across an area associated with securing frame assembly 110 relative to building structures 128.
It should be appreciated that when the extruded aluminum window frame assemblies 134 associated with window assemblies 402, . . . , X are sufficiently narrow or laterally thin enough to allow mounting assembly 100 to directly engage the adjoining building structures 128, support posts 124 can be omitted such that mount plate 116 can be secured directly to building structures 128 via one or more fasteners 130 dispersed about the perimeter of frame assembly 110. When transparent penetration resistant panel 102 is engaged with frame assembly 110, and secured proximate less penetration resistant window assemblies 402, . . . , X, a space or gap 140 is maintained between the respective opposite facing surfaces 106, 142 of the adjacent penetration resistant transparent panel 102 and respective less penetration resistant window assembly 402, . . . , X.
Referring to
Cutouts 152, 154 associated with riser 112 define respective passages 160, 162 that extend laterally through mount assembly 110 or in a crossing direction relative to the geometric plane defined by transparent panel 102. That is, a radially inward directed surface 164 of the discrete portions of riser 112 are constructed and oriented to engage the radial edge 120 of projection resistant transparent panel 102 and are periodically interrupted by the discrete cutouts 152, 154. Fasteners 130 cooperate with respective openings 166 defined by mount plate 116 and cooperate with an opening 168 associated with discrete optional support posts 124, when employed, and directly engage structure 128. It should be appreciated that fasteners 130 could be provided in numerous modalities and/or constructions so as to pass at least partially through and/or be seated within riser 112 and or mount plate 116.
As shown in
Cutouts 152, 154 associated with the plurality of mounting assemblies 110 disposed about the perimeter of pane 102 are preferably disposed in a spaced relationship relative to one another about the radial perimeter thereof. Adjacent openings or cutouts 152, 154 are preferably no nearer than approximately 4 inches apart from one another, and are preferably, as indicated by dimension 170, approximately 10 inches from one another. Preferably, cutouts 152, 154 are no greater than 10 inches from the adjacent facing edges of one another and have a running length of approximately 2 to 4 inches, as indicated by dimensions 172, 174. It is appreciated that discrete cutouts 152, 154 could be provided at alternate or different dimensions than those provided above and relative to others of the plurality of surrounding cutouts 152, 154.
In a preferred aspect, approximately 20% of the linear distance associated with the perimeter circumference of penetration resistant transparent pane 102 is defined by the sum of distances 172, 174 associated with the cutouts 152, 154 disposed about the perimeter of pane 102. The spacing and radial distribution of cutouts 152, 154 about the radially directed outward edge of panel 102 allows a portion of any compressive and thermal energy directed toward pane 102 to pass therearound via frame assembly 110 in a controlled manner and operate to reduce a difference between the pressures and thermal loadings associated with the opposing sides 104, 106 of panel 102 during an explosive or fire event. Such considerations mitigate degradation or destruction of pane 102 due to disparate temperature and pressure differences between the discrete opposing lateral sides of pane 102 thereby improving the ability of pane 102 and the corresponding frame assembly 110 to withstand greater non-point loaded penetration failures.
In order to secure a building envelope or a discrete portion thereof, a laminated security window pane assembly that is shaped to overlie a building window opening is provided. A frame assembly is constructed to cooperate with the laminated security window pane assembly and is constructed to define a riser that extends in a radial direction between the laminated window pane assembly and the opening defined by the building structure. A first opening and a second opening are formed through the riser such that each of the first opening and second opening extend unobstructed to opposing sides of the laminated window pane assembly such that, when secured relative to the building opening, the first opening is located nearer a bottom of the laminated window pane assembly than the second opening and the second opening is located nearer a top of the laminated window pane assembly than the first opening to facilitate thermal venting of the cavity 140 between the respective weather window structure 402, . . . , X and the adjacent security window assembly 100. Securing a plurality of security window assemblies 100 over the window openings defined by the building and to the structure of the building, provides a robust secure building envelope.
Therefore, one embodiment of the present invention includes a window support assembly having a window support frame that is constructed to be disposed about at least a portion of perimeter of an impact resistant transparent window assembly. The window support frame includes a support portion that extends across at least a portion of a thickness of the impact resistant transparent window assembly and a flange that extends radially inboard from the support portion to overlie a portion of a radial edge of the impact resistant transparent window assembly. A first opening and a second opening are formed through the support portion of the window support frame and each provide a respective passage through the window support frame at respective locations that are radially outboard of a footprint of the impact resistant transparent window assembly and wherein the first opening and the second opening are disposed about the impact resistant transparent window assembly and vertically offset from one another.
Another embodiment of the invention that includes various features, aspects, and objects that are useable or combinable with the above embodiments includes a security window assembly having a frame that is constructed to extend along at least a portion of an opening defined by a building structure. The frame includes a riser that is oriented to be disposed in a plane of a security window and located radially outboard of the security window. A reinforcement flange extends along a portion of at least one side of the security window and a mounting flange extends in a lateral direction from the riser and is constructed to secure the frame to the building structure. A first opening is formed through the riser and defines a passage that fluidly connects opposing sides of the security window at a location radially outboard of a perimeter of the security window and a second opening is formed through the riser that defines another passage that fluidly connects opposing sides of the security window at a location radially outboard of the perimeter of the security window and which is vertically offset from the passage defined by the first opening.
A further embodiment of the invention that is usable or combinable with one or more of the features, aspects, or objects of the above embodiments includes a method of forming a security window assembly. A laminated window pane assembly is provided that is shaped to overlie a building window opening. A frame assembly that is constructed to cooperate with the laminated window pane assembly is provided and is constructed to define a riser that extends between the laminated window pane assembly of the building window opening. A first opening and a second opening are formed through the riser such that each of the first opening and second opening extend to opposing sides of the laminated window pane assembly and the first opening is located nearer a bottom of the laminated window pane assembly than the second opening and the second opening is located nearer a top of the laminated window pane assembly than the first opening.
It should be understood that the above description, while indicating representative embodiments of the present invention, is given by way of illustration and not of limitation. Many changes and modifications may be made within the scope of the present invention without departing from the spirit thereof, and the invention includes all such modifications. Various additions, modifications, and rearrangements are contemplated as being within the scope of the following claims, which particularly point out and distinctly claim the subject matter regarding as the invention, and it is intended that the following claims cover all such additions, modifications, and rearrangements.
