US3347008A

US3347008A - Sealed window construction

Info

Publication number: US3347008A
Application number: US406050A
Authority: US
Inventors: Roy D Strengholt
Original assignee: Donnelly Corp
Current assignee: Magna Donnelly Corp
Priority date: 1964-10-23
Filing date: 1964-10-23
Publication date: 1967-10-17
Anticipated expiration: 1984-10-17

Description

Oct. 17, 1967 R. D. STRENGHOLT 3,347,008

SEALED WINDOW CONSTRUCTION Filed Oct. 215, 1964 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR. R0! 0. 57/?51/6/017 v fo zwz/ ATTORNEYS 1967 R. D. STRENGHOLT SEALED WINDOW CONSTRUCTION 2 Sheets-Sheet 5:

Filed Oct. 25, 1964 INVENTOR f0, 9. ST/ZQVGf/fllf ATTORNEYS United States Patent 3,347,008 1 SEALED WINDOW CONSTRUCTION Roy D. Slrengholt, Holland, Mich., assignor to Donnelly Mirrors, Inc., Holland, Mich., a corporation of Michigan Filed Oct. 23, 1964, Ser. No. 406,050 2 Claims. (Cl. 52-398) This invention relates to sealed double pane windows, and more particularly to a dual pane window construction with unique edge sealing and clamping structure.

Dual pane windows, to be effective as thermal insulators and free of internal condensation, must be completely and thoroughly sealed and clamped around the periphery of the two panes. This is conventionally achieved by the use of a special, complex, peripheral frame installed during a relatively elaborate assembly process. Consequently, the resulting structure is relatively expensive. Further, difficulty is often experienced in maintaining a tight seal when the space between the panes is filled with an inert gas.

It is an object of this invention to provide a greatly simplified, dual pane, sealed window construction.

Another object of this inventon is to provide the uniquely sealed window construction, achieving pane spacing, peripheral edge sealing, and clamped edge retention, all with a relatively simple edge construction. Moreover, the assembly is relatively easily assembled, with rapidity, therefore resulting in a fairly inexpensive assembly.

Another object of this invention is to provide a sealed window construction with an enclosed space that is evacuated, at least initially, in a manner that the external air pressure resulting from the evacuation actually completes and seals the assembly into a useful state. Subsequently, or during the sealing operation, if desired, the evacuated space can be filled with an inert gas at atmospheric or superatmospheric pressures, while still retaining the sealed retention.

Another more specific object of this invention is to provide a peripheral, combination edge seal and bracket band for dual pane window assemblies, causing both sealing and clamping retention to occur automatically with evacuation of the confined space. 1

These and several other objects of this invention will be apparent upon studying the following specification in conjunction with the drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a plan view of the preferred first form of the novel dual pane window construction;

FIG. 2 is a side elevati'onal, sectional view of the window construction in FIG. 1, taken on plane IIII, as yet unsealed and unclamped; I

FIG. 3 is a side elevational, sectional view of the structure in FIG. 2 shown sealed and clamped;

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary, enlarged, sectional view of a portion of the structure in FIG. 1, taken on plane IV-IV;

FIG. 5 is a sectional view of a second, less preferred form of window, complete andsealed;

FIG. 6 is a sectional view of the window in FIG. 5 as unsealed;

FIG. 7 is a sectional view of a third form of the window, complete and sealed; and

FIG. 8 is a sectional view of the window in FIG. 7, unsealed.

Referring now specifically to the drawings, particularly FIGS. 1 through 4, the sealed window 10 is here shown to be of circular construction, but may be of rectangular, ovular, or other configurations to fit a particular frame.

The window 10 is formed of two

panes

12 and 14 of like configuration and thickness, spaced from each other to form an internal cavity or space 16. Around the periphery of the window is a band 18 of novel construction. This band includes a pair of ring-like metallic elements 20. More specifically, the two metallic elements 20 and 20' are each generally U-shaped in cross section, and include a pair of radially inwardly extending inner flanges 22 and 22', which abut each other to form a fulcrum 24. These extend between the two sealed windows, generally transverse to the peripheral body portions of the elements, and diverge axially outwardly with respect to each other from the fulcrum to the inner faces of the window panes. The elements also include spaced axial extensions having outer clamping flanges 26 and 26' transverse to the body portions. If desired, these portions can extend around the entire periphery of the windows. Normally, however, the retention legs need only be at portions of the band, spaced therealong, with the intermediate portions being of foreshortened construction (FIG. 4). This foreshortened construction includes the same inner leg portions 22 and 22', but terminates short of the outer pane faces as shown.

The metallic elements have a special sealed relation ship with respect to each other and the window pane due to a coating thereon. More specifically, the entire outer extent of the metal rings are coated with a layer of resilient, flexible, sealing material such as a neoprene rubber, except at the abutting fulcrum therebetween. This creates a continuous seal between the two metal elements 20 and 20' including the area outside of the fulcrum 24 by the continuous sealing layer around the periphery of the band, to prevent gas leakage. Aso, the inner faces of elements 20 and 20' are coated with a continuous layer of rubber to form an optimum gripping relationship on the outer peripheral edge of the window panes, to form seals at contact points 32 and 32' of inner flanges 22 and 22' of the inner pane faces, and to help seal along the outer glass edges.

The novel band has a multiple function inherent in its structure. It forms a spacer between the panes, creates a peripheral seal means to pneumatically isolate space 16 from the ambient surroundings, and forms a retention clamping means preventing further separation of the panes, yet holding space 16 at a constant maximum dimension also.

In assembly, these functions are automatically achieved. More specifically, space 16 is purposely evacuated after the peripheral band is attached, to have the configuration illustrated on the right side of FIGURE 2. This space may be evacuated, for example, by inserting a hollow, sharp member through rubber layer 30, at a special, small, rubber filled gate 40 at one position in the periphery of the band (FIG. 2), or any suitable method. When space 16 is evacuated, surrounding air pressure on the outer faces of the panes forces them together, to thereby press the inner pane faces against the

contacted edges

32 and 32 to seal the unit. It also forces

flanges

22 and 22 together about fulcrum 24 thereby drawing the

extended legs

20 and 20 against the peripheral pane edges to shift

flanges

26 and 26 over the edge of the outer pane faces (FIG. 3). The band then forms clamping means to maintain the tightly engaged relationship as well as sealing, spacing, and support means. The sealed window construction can then be used as an evacuated structure. Alternatively, subsequent to evacuation, space 16 can be filled with an inert gas, either at atmospheric or super-atmospheric pressures. The sealed relationship will still be maintained due to the clamping action of the band. Interior pressure does not disassemble the window. Normally, the pressures do not exceed atmospheric by an significant amount, but if this is desired, the clamping means can be increased by extending portions 26 greater amounts around the periphery of the window.

Second form In FIGURES 7 and 8 is shown a less preferred second form of the invention. This window 50 includes first and second panes 52 and 54 in spaced relation separated by a circuitous peripheral sealing and spacing ring 56. The ring has a special configuration with an X-shaped cross-section, to have flexible, resilient edge surfaces on the outer ends of the two legs against one inner faceand the other two legs against the opposite inner face. The ring may be of rubber, plastic or other like material to form an effective seal when compressed between the two panes. Com pression is achieved by evacuation, as by puncturing ring 56 with an orifice and needle to gain access to space 60. Upon evacuation of space 60, ambient pressure forces ring 56 to the more flattened configuration (FIG. 7). This X-shaped quad ring serves effectively for sealing the periphery of the unit due to its continuous nature and special compressible characteristics resulting from its shape. To retain the assembly, preferably clamping means 62 C-shaped in cross-sectional configuration is attached around the peripheral edge of the window. It includes a pair of flanges against the outer faces of the window panes, interconnected integrally by its body section against the outer peripheral edges of the panes. The clamp may be continuous or discontinuous around the periphery.

Normally, if the window is maintained in an evacuated state, the clamp is not essential, but it does strengthen the structure and maintain its sealed and aligned relationship. The clamp is essential if the window is to be returned to a pressure near atmosphere.

Third form In FIGURE is shown another form of the invention preferred over that illustrated in FIGURES 7 and 8, but less preferred to that illustrated in FIGURES 1 through 4. This assembly 70 likewise includes

panes

72 and 74 spaced fromeach other, and connected, sealed, spaced and retained in relationship by the special peripheral band 76. This band includes a resilient, radially inner element of plastic or rubber, including a pair of resilient flanges and an enlarged bulbous, extending radially inwardly continuous, head 78, therefrom. The head extends between the panes of glass, around the periphery, to space them and form an inner space 80. Bonded to this resilient element is a metallic deformable ring strip82 around the periphery ofthe pane.

The edges of each of the panes is beveled to form

bevels

84 and 86 on the corners of the

respective panes

72 and 74. With evacuation of space 80, as by penetration through a suitable rubber filled gate 88 with a hollow perforating element, the panes are forced against head 78 to seal the space. The outer edges of ring 82 are then crimped over the beveled glass edges to integrate the structure (FIG. 8). This clamps the structure effectively around its periphery, enabling the insertion of a moisture-free inert gass in place of the initial vacuum, if desired.

It is conceivable that certain other variations in detail can be formed with this invention, while retaining the basic concept presented. It will be realized that the three different forms of the invention shown could be used in different environments, and that these have definite differences making each useful for particular circumstances.

However, they do have certain characteristics in common, and therefore are included as three varations of the broadest concept presented. Since other minor variations could conceivably be made, this invention is intendedto be limited only by the scope of the appended claims and the reasonably equivalent structures to those defined therein.

I claim:

1. A sealed dual pane window comprising: a pair of spaced, like, window panes having inner faces, outer faces, and peripheral edges, a circuitous elongated band around the periphery of said panes; said band having a pair of rigid actuator legs extending between said panes, being in engagement with each other adjacent the pane edges and diverging from each other between said panes, said diverging legs being shiftabletogether with movement of said panes toward each other; each leg including resilient continuous sealing material in contact with the inner faces of said panes; said band including rigid portions extending along the pane edges, and transverse portions extending therefrom adjacentthe outer faces of said panes; and said rigid portions being connected to said legs to shift toward said edges with shifting of said diverging legs together, to thereby cause said transverse portions to clamp over the opposite outer pane faces.

2. A sealed dual pane window comprising: a pair of spaced, like, window panes having inner faces, outer faces, and peripheral edges; a circuitous elongated band around the periphery of said panes; said band having a ,pair of rigid flanges in fulcrum abutment with each other adjacent said pane edges, and extending between said panes, while diverging from each other toward the inner faces of said panes, to contact the inner pane faces; said band also having clamping portions adapted to overlay the outer faces of said panes when said panes are shifted together;

seal means between each of said flanges and said panes and between said flanges to form a sealed space between said panes; said-diverging flanges being movable together about their fulcrum abutment with shifting of said panes together, and thereby shifting said clamping portions into overlying relationship with respect to portions of the outer pane faces to retain said panes in shifted together position.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,916,895 7/1933 Rowe 20-40.5 2,525,717 10/ 1950 Ottenheimer 52-172 2,565,937 8/1951 Verhagen 52-304 2,575,854 11/1951 Verhagen 52-398 X 2,589,064 3/1952 Drake ,526 16 3,217,454 11/1965 Leisibach 52398 FOREIGN PATENTS 1,013,519 7/1952 France.

5,460 3/1914 Great Britain. 673,660 6/ 1952 Great Britain. 102,109 7/ 1963 Norway.

DAVID J. WILLIAMOWSKY, Primary Examiner.

HARRISON R. MOSELEY, REINALDO P.

MACHADO, Examiners.

W. E. HEATON, D. L. TAYLOR, Assistant Examiners.

Claims

2. A SEALED DUAL PANE WINDOW COMPRISING: A PAIR OF SPACED, LIKE, WINDOW PANES HAVING INNER FACES, OUTER FACES AND PERIPHERAL EDGES; A CIRCUITOUS ELONGATED BAND AROUND THE PERIPHERY OF SAID PANES; SAID BAND HAVING A PAIR OF RIGID FLANGES IN FULCRUM ABUTMENT WITH EACH OTHER ADJACENT SAID PANE EDGES, AND EXTENDING BETWEEN SAID PANES, WHILE DIVERGING FROM EACH OTHER TOWARD THE INNER FACES OF SAID PANES, TO CONTACT THE INNER PANE FACES; SAID BAND ALSO HAVING CLAMPING PORTIONS ADAPTED TO OVERLAY THE OUTER FACES OF SAID PANES WHEN SAID PANES ARE SHIFTED TOGETHER; SEAL MEANS BETWEEN EACH OF SAID FLANGES AND SAID PANES AND BETWEEN SAID FLANGES TO FORM A SEALED SPACE BETWEEN SAID PANES; SAID DIVERGING FLANGES BEING MOVABLE TOGETHER ABOUT THEIR FULCRUM ABUTMENT WITH SHIFTING OF SAID PANES TOGETHER, AND THEREBY SHIFTING SAID CLAMPING PORTIONS IN OVERLYING RELATIONSHIP WITH RESPECT TO PORTIONS OF THE OUTER PANE FACES TO RETAIN SAID PANES IN SHIFTED TOGETHER POSITION.