US3150749A - Explosion venting construction - Google Patents

Description

p 1964 w. G. ROBRECHT ETAL 3,150,749

EXPLOSION vemrmc CONSTRUCTION 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed May 15, 1961 INVENTOR) Ill/807? 6. ROJR H 7' ROD/VI) E. HRIST/4N P 1964 w. G. ROBRECHT ETAL 3,150,749

EXPLOSION VENTING CONSTRUCTION 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed May 15 1961 INVENTORS rV/lEl/k a. xoaxscur Byeaawsrz. ewe/$77.4

A T'TOR/VII'S Sept. 29, 1964 w. G. ROBRECHT ETAL 3,150,749

EXPLOSION VENTING CONSTRUCTION Filed May 15, 1961 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 IN TORJ' waaux axe 56H? flaw/var z. cum/arm Y Sept. 29, 1964 w. G. ROBRECHT ETAL 3,150,749

EXPLOSION VENTING CONSTRUCTION 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed May 15, 1961 INVENTORS rwzaa s. 20442-01;- eoalvzv 5. cMP/s'r/n/v ATTORNEY-S United States Patent "cc 3,150,749 EXPLOSION VENTING CONSTRUCTIQN Wilbur G. Robrecht, Grosse Pointe Woods, Mich, and

Rodney E. Christian, 2780 Middlebury Lane, Birmingham, Mich; said Robrecht assignor to Parke, Davis & Company, Detroit, Mich, a corporation of Michigan Filed May 15, 1961, Ser. No. 109,984 18 Claims. (Cl. 189-64) This invention relates to explosion venting of buildings or other structures, and more particularly to an improved window construction for quickly venting a building when the pressure within the building reaches a predetermined abnormal value, as in the case of explosions occuring within the building, in order to avoid human casualties and property damage.

It is particularly desirable that adequate provision be made for venting explosions from a building in which flammable solvents and other hazardous materials are utilized in operations carried on in the building. The present invention solves this problem by the provision of windows in the perimeter walls of the building so constructed and mounted as to rapidly relieve, via the window openings, abnormal pressures resulting from an explosion occurring within the building.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a window construction which is operable to relieve abnormal pressures within a building up to a predetermined value without removal of or damage to the window panels, and which also prevents air from being fed back into the building via the window openings after return to normal pressure conditions.

A further object is to provide a weather resistant explosion venting wall consrtuction which is inexpensive to manufacture and install.

Still another object is to provide a window construction of the above character which provides rapid venting of the building in spite of the accumulation of snow and ice in the window openings.

A still further object is to provide a window construction of the above character which is easily changed to vent explosions of varying force so that the pressure specification of a particular area of the building is determinable by the pressure specification of the particular window construction installed therein.

Yet another object is to provide a window construction of the above character which is self-sealing in the window opening against normal internal pressures up to a predetermined value but which permits rapid venting of the building when the pressure exceeds such value.

In the accompanying drawings:

FIG. 1 is a fragmentary elevational view of the outer side of a precast concrete wall section provided with window openings and enclosed by window panels in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a fragmentary elevational view of the inner side of a portion of the concrete wall section of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a cross sectional view taken on the line 33 of FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary perspective view illustrating one of the window openings of the concrete wall section.

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary enlarged perspective view of a window stop of the invention for holding the window panels in place in the window openings.

FIG. 6 is a fragmentary enlarged perspective view illustrating a window panel inserted in a sealing gasket also provided in accordance with the invention.

3,156,749 Patented Sept. 29, 1964 FIG. 7 is a fragmentary cross sectional view taken on the line 77 of FIG. 2.

FIG. 8 is a vertical cross sectional view on the line 8-8 of FIG. 2.

FIG. 9 is a fragmentary view of a portion of FIG. 8 enlarged to illustrate details thereof.

FIG. 10 is a vertical cross sectional view corresponding to FIG. 8 but illustrating a venting position of the window construction during an explosion.

FIG. 11 is an enlarged fragmentary view of a portion of FIG. 10.

FIG. 12 is a fragmentary horizontal cross sectional view taken on the line 12-12 of FIG. 8.

FIG. 13 is a fragmentary horizontal cross sectional view taken on the line 1313 of FIG. 10.

FIG. 14 is a fragmentary elevational view of a modified form of window wall construction also in accordance with the invention.

FIG. 15 is a vertical cross sectional view taken on the line 15-15 of FIG. 14.

FIG. 16 is a horizontal cross sectional view taken on the line 16-46 of FIG. 14.

FIG. 17 is an elevational view of a window gasket utilized in the exposion venting window wall construction of FIG. 14.

FIG. 18 is an enlarged fragmentary perspective view of the lower right hand corner of the gasket of FIG. 17.

FIG. 19 is an enlarged fragmentary perspective view of the lower right hand comer of the window wall construction of FIG. 14.

FIG. 20 is a vertical cross section view corresponding to FIG. 15 but illustrating a venting position of the window construction during an explosion.

FIG. 21 is an enlarged fragmentary cross sectional view corresponding to that of FIG. 16 but illustrating a venting position of the window panel at the middle of one side edge thereof during an explosion.

Referring to FIG. 1, portions of three prefabricated reinforced concrete wall sections 20 are shown from the outer side thereof, each of which is preferably of a size to contain several generally rectangular window openings 22. Between adjacent window openings the prefabricated sections constitute a series of vertically extending ribs 24, and a series of horizontally extending ribs 26. The concrete sections 20 are arranged side by side and in tiers, one above the other, and secured in position to form a complete structural wall by the usual methods of uniting prefabricated concrete sections.

The shape of ribs 24 and 26 which define the contour of the individual window openings 22 are best seen in FIGS. 3 and 4. These ribs are tapered so as to provide smooth vertical and horizontal marginal walls 28 and 30 respectively which converge slightly as they extend inwardly from the outer side of the wall section. The corners of the window openings are shown rounded as at 32 for purposes of illustration. Marginal walls 28 and 30 terminate at the intersection thereof with a flange 34 which extends around the inner portion of window opening 22 to provide marginal window stop surfaces consisting of top and bottom shoulders 35 and side shoulders 38. The side shoulders 38 are outwardly curved to provide a convex stop surface. The top and bottom shoulders 36 extend straight across the opening but are undercut or inwardly tapered so as to extend flush with the outwardly curved side shoulders 38 (FIG. 8).

Each of the window openings 22 is adapted to be closed by a closure panel 40 made of non-fragile, resiliently flexible material such as plastic and are manufactured as flat sheets of generally rectangular form with rounded corners. Closure panels 40 are suitably dimensioned and have suflicient elasticity so that they are bendable into a convex form to fit within window openings 22 complemental to the shoulders 36, 38 of the peripheral concrete flange 34. The plastic selected is one that has suitable light transmitting and heat insulating properties. Also, the plastic must be resistant to shock so as to withstand the effect of explosive forces as well as the impact encountered when the panel is ejected from its mounting in window opening 22 and falls to the ground. One material found suitable for the above purpose is fiberglassreinforced polyester plastic.

As best seen in FIGS. 2, and 8, the means provided for securing plastic panels 4t) to the concrete sections includes a flexible window stop 42 preferably made of weather resistant neoprene. This material is extruded so as to have a cross sectional shape in the relaxed condition thereof indicated by the broken line showing in FIG. 5. Stop 42 is resiliently expandable by flexing it to the cross sectional shape indicated in solid lines in FIG. 5. Window stops 42 thus comprise: a back wall 44 adapted to fit against the vertical inner surface of Window ribs 26; top and bottom walls 46 which fit snugly against the inclined surfaces of flanges 34; reversely bent leg portions 43 extending from the inner sides of walls 46 which fit against shoulders 36 of the window opening; and foot portions 53- extending outwardly from each leg portion 4-8 and which rest against the top and bottom marginal walls of the window openings. Each foot portion 50 of stop 42 is recessed to provide a retaining groove 52 therein for mounting closure panel 40. Each stop 42 is suitably cut to length so that it extends along the inner vertical surface of rib 26 between, but not into, the rounded corners 32 of window openings 22.

Referring to FIGS. 3 and 6, a sealing gasket 54 comprising an endless, generally tubular member is fitted around the marginal edges of closure panel 49 to assist in obtaining a weather tight closure of window opening 22. Gasket 5% has a solid portion 56 with a slot 58 therein to receive the peripheral edges of closure panel with a snug fit. A hollow, bulbous portion 5 is integrally joined to the inner side of solid portion 56 of gasket 54, the wall of bulbous portion 58 having a thickness approximately half that of the lips of solid portion 56 to thereby provide an easily deformable weather strip. Gasket 54 is preferably made of weather resistant neoprene and is extruded so that the cross sectional shape of bulbous portion 53 thereof when relaxed is generally circular, as shown in FIGS. 6 and 13.

To install the above described window construction in the window openings 22 of concrete wall section 20, the foot portions it) of resilient window stops 42 are pulled away from one another so that they can be passed from inside the wall over the flanged portions 34 of horizontal window rib 26. The foot portions of the stop are then released, allowing them to snap against the Window opening wall surfaces 30, and allowing leg portions 48 of the stop to draw up against the undercut shoulders 36. The resiliency of window stop 42 is then sufi icient to hold it in place without the use of adhesives or other fastening devices. However, for those wall surfaces 30 located at the ends of concrete wall section 20, window stop 42 is cut longitudinally in half and each half is affixed in place by bonding or otherwise fastening back wall portion 44 of the stop to the vertical inside surface of rib 26.

The sealing gasket 54 may be assembled onto closure panel 40 at the factory, and then this sub-assembly shipped flat to the job site. Each closure panel 40 while in the flat, relaxed condition thereof is inserted in a window opening 22 from the outside of the wall section. The bottom edge of the panel, with gasket 54 attached thereto, is inserted into groove 52 of window stop 42 so that sealing gasket 54 is tightly bottomed in groove 52 (FIG. 9). The flat panel is then bowed until the upper edge of panel 44 is in position to be pushed inwardly and inserted in groove 52 of window stop 42 at the top of window opening 22 (FIG. 8). The dimensions of panel 40 with gasket 54 mounted thereon are such that it is bowed outwardly even after being fitted between the top and bottom stop grooves 52. Since panels made of the aforesaid fiberglass-reinforced polyester plastic are elastic, the bowing creates a tension in the panel tending to straighten it out. This force in turn pushes foot portions 50 of the window stops 42 tightly against the wall surfaces 30 and also serves to hold the bulbous portion 58 of sealing gasket 54 against the outwardly curved side shoulders 38 of the window opening (FIG. 12).

With the window closure panel 40 so installed, and under flexing tension, the window opening 22 is sealed against external wind loads. Such loads tend to further seal the window opening by pressing the panel inwardly to further squeeze the bulbous portion 58 of the window gasket against shoulders 36 and 38. The convex shape of the window panel provides high strength against external wind loads. Since such loads tend to straighten the panel, the top and bottom edges of the panel exert compression loads on the foot portions 50 of the stops 42 so that they are pressed against wall surfaces 30. Hence wind load stresses are taken by the concrete ribs 26 so that there is no tendency of panel 40 to rip loose from its mounting in the stops 42. The bulbous portion 58 of sealing gasket 54, due to its resiliency and deformability, generally conforms to uneven edges and bends in shoulders 36 and 38 of the window opening. Also, in the round corners 32 located between the ends of stop 42 and the respectively adjacent side shoulders 38 the bulbous portion 58 overhangs the upper edge of shoulder 36, as shown in FIG. 7 and indicated 55 in FIG. 3, to thereby assist in sealing against external pressure.

When the internal pressure of the building is slightly superatmospheric, as is often the case in air conditioned buildings where the interior pressure may exceed the exterior pressure by about /2 inch of water, the sealing gasket 54 also functions to prevent escape of air from the building. This results from such air pressure acting against the remaining hollow portion of bulbous portion 58 which extends inwardly of the window opening beyond the edges of shoulders 36 and 38, the air pressure tending to squeeze such portion down so that it continues to overlay or overhang the edges of shoulders 36, 38, thereby providing a self-sealing action. If panel 40 tends to pull slightly away from side shoulders 36 under such light pressure, the flexibility of bulbous portion 58 of the sealing gasket causes it to expand towards its normal shape so that window opening remains sealed. From the foregoing it will be appreciated that window stops 42 cooperate with the flexed window panels 40 and the bulbous sealing gasket 54 to provide a permanent window closure resistant to displacement and weather under all ordinary circumstances.

However, the primary purpose of the window c011- struction of the present invention is to permit outward release of interior air pressure Whenever there are abnormal conditions which require sudden venting of the interior of the building as a safety measure. Due to the bowed form of closure panel 40, an abnormally high pressure against the inside face thereof tends to further increase the bowing effect and consequently to assist in the ejection of the panel from window opening 22. With this arrangement the plastic panel 40 is readily ejected whenever the gaseous pressure on the concave side is in excess of a predetermined blow-out value, such as 20 to 30 lbs. per square foot. The panel will thereupon be expelled through the outwardly flaring window opening 22 in the building wall section 2%) and will fall harmlessly to the ground. However, for minor explosions.

creating pressures between the superatmospheric pressure previously mentioned and the aforesaid blow-out pressure, a pressure relieving venting action occurs without window panel 40 being pulled loose from its mounting.

This venting action is best understood by comparing the position of the window structure in FIGS. 10, 11 and 13 during a minor explosion with the position of the window structure in FIGS. 8, 9 and 12 during normal conditions. Whenever the gaseous pressure on the concave side of the panel 40 is within the above range, the panel is pushed outwardly and bows slightly further while still being retained in grooves 52 of window stop 42. As shown in detail in FIG. 11, in this venting position the leg portion 48 of stop 42 has pulled away from the undercut shoulder 36 and the foot portion 50 has been pulled off the window wall surface 30. Actually, a hinging action occurs wherein the resilient leg and foot portions 48 and 50 flex or pivot about the upper edge of the undercut shoulder 36. At the same time, the resiliency of the gasket 54, particularly the bulbous portion 58 thereof, causes it to expand in groove 52 of the window stop as the groove itself expands due to the flexing action. Hence the frictional retaining fit between sealing gasket 54 and stop 42 is maintained to prevent the panel from pulling loose from grooves 52 until the blow-out pressure is reached.

Tln's hinging action of the window stop allows the side edges of panel 40, together with the bulbous portion 58 of gasket 54 attached thereto, to pull away from the outwardly curved side shoulders 38 (FIGS. and 13) so that the air under pressure can escape between the bulbous portions 58 of the gaskets and the surfaces of shoulders 38, and then out along the side marginal window walls 28. It is to be noted that suflicient clearance is provided between the side edges of panel 40 and side walls 28 to permit such venting, and that the taper of walls 28 enlarges this clearance as the panel moves outwardly in the window opening. Hence, immediate pressure release is obtained for pressures within said range without panel 40 coming loose from stop 42. It has been found that as soon as the pressure drops back to normal panel 40 pops back into its sealed position indi: cated in FIGS. 8 and 9 thereby providing an even tighter and better fit of the window stop and sealing gasket against the window shoulders 36 and 38.

In addition to the concrete framing system illustrated in FIGS. 1-13, the invention can be readily adapted for use with other conventional framing systems, one of which is illustrated in the embodiment of the invention disclosed in FIGS. 14-21.

Referring to FIG. 14, a portion of a conventional steel or aluminum sash window wall is shown comprising vertical and horizontal frame members 70 and 72 joined at right angles to one another to provide a rectangularly framed window opening. As shown in FIGS. 15, 16 and 19, frame members 70 and 72 of the sash are T-shaped in cross section and have flanges 71 and 73 respectively which extend into the window opening in the plane thereof to define the outline of the opening. Each window opening is enclosed by a closure panel 74 which is manufactured and installed as a flat window panel. Panel 74 is preferably made of the same material as panel 40 of the previous embodiment although a rigid but non-breakable material may also be used.

Panel 74 is mounted in a rectangular sealing and mounting gasket 76 (FIG. 17) which is in turn mounted on flanges 71 and 73 of sash frame members 70 and 72. Gasket 76 is preferably made of a resilient material, such as weather resistant neoprene, and is an assembly of two resilient window stop strips 78 bonded at right angles to a pair of sealing strips 80, here shown respectively as the horizontal and vertical members of gasket 76.

Referring to FIG. 18, the horizontal window stop strip 78 is extruded so as to have a generally S-shaped cross section providing a groove 82 to receive sash frame flange 73 and another groove 84 to receive the edge of closure panel 74 (FIGS. 15 and 19). The vertical sealing strip 88 is extruded to have a hollow cross section similar to that of sealing gasket 54 previously described, thereby providing a resiliently deformable bulbous portion 86 shown in FIG. 18 in the normal relaxed, expanded condition thereof. Sealing strip also has a groove 88 which snugly receives the vertical flange 71 of frame member 70 (FIGS. 18 and 19).

Window gasket 76 may first be installed in place on the sash frame members 7'8 and 72 and then the flexible closure panel 74 installed in gasket 76. The lower edge of panel 74 is inserted in groove 84 of lower stop strip 78 and then the panel is bowed outwardly so that the upper edge thereof can be inserted into groove 84 in the opposite, upper stop strip 78. Panel 74 will then pop inwardly to the flat condition, thereby stretching the resilient stop strips 78 and sealing strips 88 in a vertical direction. This interference fit of panel 74 in gasket 76 insures a tight fit of the metal sash flanges 73 in grooves 82 of the top and bottom stop strips 78 and helps hold panel 74 in grooves 84 of stop strips 78. As illustrated in FIG. 19, the bulbous portion 86 of sealing strip 80 is squeezed flat by the window panel to provide a weather resistant seal along the vertical side edges of the window opening.

The installation sequence may be altered so that gasket 76 is first assembled to panel 74 and then this panelgasket assembly installed in the sash frame. Should a rigid rather than flexible panel be used, then the resiliency of sealing strips S0 becomes especially helpful in stretching gasket 76 onto the panel. A gasket adapted for use with a rigid panel should preferably fit taut on the panel but not so tight as to interfere with the resilient action of stop strips 78 described below.

In operation, explosive forces within 'a predetermined range of values exert pressure on the inside face of panel 74, causing it to bow outwardly into a concave configuration so that the vertical side edges of the window panel are thereby pulled away from sealing strips 88. The window stop strips 78 operate with a hinging action as illustrated in FIG. 20 so that panel 74 can flex away from sealing strips 80 without being pulled out of stop strips 78. This allows a venting action to occur between the side marginal portions of panel 74 and the bulbous portion 86 of sealing strip 80 (FIG. 21). If panel 74 is made rigid rather than elastic the venting action is similar except that the outward movement of the panel results primarily from the hinging and stretching of stop strips 78 rather than from the combined flexing eflect of the stop and panel.

Of course, as in the previous embodiment, when the explosive force results from a major explosion and therefore exceeds the maximum blow-out pressure for which stop strips 78 are designed, panel 74 is extracted from grooves 84 and ejected as a unit from the window opening in order to relieve the pressure of the major explosion.

It is to be understood that, without departing from the present invention, the concave-convex bowing action of the flexible panels 40 and 74 may be in directions other than the vertical direction shown herein, provided corresponding changes are made in the cooperating window opening shoulders and window stops. Moreover, by utilizing materials of different resiliency in panels 40 and 74 and in window stops 42 and 78, by varying the depth of panel retaining grooves 52 and 84 and/or the amount of material provided in foot portions 54 of stops 42 and around groove 84 of stop strip 78, the aforesaid pressure required to eject the window panels from the window openings can be correspondingly varied as desired. Thus the blow-out pressure specifications can be varied from one area of the building to another by the simple expedient of installing window stops designed to meet the pressure specifications of the particular building area without modifying the window wall or sash framing construction.

For example, in the window construction of FIGS. l13, a blow-out pressure of about to lbs/sq. in. may be obtained when constructed according to the following:

Closure panel Approximately 19 X 13 /8" x Material-fiberglass-reinforced polyester plastic such as that sold under the trademark Glasbord by the Kemlite Corporation of Joliet, Illinois Window stop 42- Thickness of walls 44, 46 and 48%" Depth of groove 5Zabout Width of groove 52about A Angle of undercut shoulder 36 from vertical30 Slope of window wall 30-4 Material-neoprene, Durometer Gasket 54- Depth of slot 58about Thickness of solid portion 56- Bulbous portion 58 X /2" X Length of gasket 5454" Materialneoprene, Durometer 60 The invention provides a simple and inexpensive weather resistant window construction which also permits explosion release through the window walls, thereby eliminating the need for other equipment to meet the explosion venting requirements of insurance underwriters and building code authorities for structures which utilize flammable solvents and other hazardous materials in their operation. In addition, immediate explosion release is obtained, and in the case of minor explosions, without expelling the window panels. This in turn eliminates the cost of re-installing blown out panels after such an explosion, and equally important, prevents air from feeding to a fire which often results after such an explosion.

We claim:

1. In a building having a window opening therein provided with at least two pairs of opposite edges, the combination of a window panel closing said opening, a pair of panel engaging members extending along a first pair of corresponding opposite edges of the window opening and the panel, said panel engaging members having each a first portion securely attached to the first pair of edges of the window opening and a resilient second portion movably connected to said first portion and having a groove therein for receiving the corresponding edge of the panel, said second portions of said panel engaging members normally retaining the panel against the second pair of edges of the window opening but being movable relative to said first pair of edges of the window opening in a direction outwardly of the window opening while retaining said opposite edges of the panel in gripped relation in said grooves to permit the panel to move bodily outwardly away from said second pair of window edges, said second portions being sufliciently distortable to release the edge of the panel from said groove in response to an abnormally high pressure acting outwardly against the inner face of the panel.

2, In a building the combination of a window opening having outwardly facing shoulders at opposite edges thereof against which a window panel is adapted to be positioned for closing the opening, a pair of window stops extending along said opposite edges of the window opening, each of said stops being formed at least in part of a resiliently flexible material and having one portion thereof engaged over said shoulder to retain the stop in the Window opening against outward displacement and having a second portion engaging the outer face of said shoulder to retain the stop against inward displacement, said second portion having a groove therein for receiving an edge of the window panel, means forming a resilient CPL hinge connecting said first and second portions of said window stop and a window panel having opposite edges engaged in said grooves of said stops.

3. The combination called for in claim 2 wherein the remaining edge portions of said panel are seated against other outwardly facing shoulders provided around the window opening and said remaining edge portions are unobstructed in a direction outwardly of the plane of the window.

4. In a wall having a pair of spaced apart and parallel frame means partially defining a window opening and having further frame means providing spaced apart window stop surfaces defining the remainder of the window opening, a pressure venting window assembly for said opening including in combination, window stop means mounted along each of said parallel frame means and including a resiliently flexible portion having a groove therein disposed on the side thereof facing the outer side of the wall, and a non-fragile window panel dimensioned to close said window opening and having a pair of spacedapart edge portions each received in one of said grooves to thereby retain said panel in the window opening with marginal portions thereof adjacent said window stop surfaces, said resiliently flexible portion of said stop means being movable relative to the remainder of said stop means to permit movement of said edge portions of said panel while being retained in said grooves whereby said panel is movable in response to abnormal gaseous pressures of less than a predetermined blow-out value acting against the inner face of the panel to thereby rapidly relieve said pressure via the space created by such panel movement between said window stop surfaces and the marginal portions of said panel adjacent thereto without thereby ejecting the panel from the window opening, said resiliently flexible portions being adapted to grip said panel edge portion received therein with a force suflicient to retain the panel in the groove until gaseous pressures acting on the inner face of the panel equal or exceed the predetermined blow-out value whereupon the panel is pulled out of said grooves for bodily ejection from the window opening.

5. The combination recited in claim 4 which further includes resilient gasket means disposed between said window stop surfaces and the marginal portions of said panel adjacent thereto, said gasket means being deformable by pressure exerted thereon by said panel marginal portions during normal gaseous pressure conditions to thereby seal the space between said panel and said window stop surfaces.

6. In a wall having a pair of spaced apart and parallel frame means partially defining a window opening and having further frame means providing spaced apart window stop surfaces defining the remainder of the window opening, a pressure venting window assembly for said opening including in combination, window stop means mounted along each of said parallel frame mean and including a resiliently flexible portion having a groove therein disposed on the side thereof facing the outer side of the wall, a non-fragible window panel dimensioned to close said window opening and having a pair of spacedapart edge portions each received in one of said grooves to thereby retain said panel in the window opening with marginal portions thereof adjacent said window stop surfaces, said resiliently flexible portion of said stop means being movable to permit movement of said edge portions of said panel while being retained in said grooves whereby said panel is movable in response to abnormal gaseous pressures of less than a predetermined blow-out value acting against the inner face of the panel to thereby rapidly relieve said pressure via the space created by such panel movement between said window stop surfaces and the marginal portions of said panel adjacent thereto without thereby ejecting the panel from the window opening, resilient gasket means disposed between said window stop surfaces and the marginal portions of said panel 9 adjacent thereto, said gasket mean-s being deformable by pressure exerted thereon by said panel marginal portions during normal gaseous pressure conditions to thereby seal the space between said panel and said window stop surfaces, said gasket means including bulbous portions each having a hollow cross section when in the relaxed condition thereof and being disposed for resilient deformation by said panel to provide a flexible seal between the panel marginal portions andthe window stop surfaces respectively adjacent thereto.

7. The combination recited in claim 6 wherein said window stop surfaces comprise a pair of shoulders each having an edge overlapped by said panel, said gasket means being positioned relative to each of said shoulders so that a portion of each bulbous portion thereof is squeezed together between the panel and shoulder in the normal condition of the panel While the remainder of each bulbous portion extends inwardly of said shoulder edge so as to provide a hollow section which overlays such edge whereby slightly superatmospheric pressures tend to urge the remaining hollow section of said bulbous portion against the shoulder edge to thereby obtain a self-sealing action against such pressures in the window opening.

8. The combination recited in claim 7 wherein said gasket means comprises an endless loop having a solid grooved portion adapted to receive the peripheral edges of said panel therein to thereby retain said gasket loop on said panel, said solid portion of said gasket loop being dimensioned to be received together with said bulbous portion in said grooves in said flexible portions of said window stop means with a frictional fit for retaining said panel in said stop means against pressures below said predetermined blow-out value.

9. An explosion venting Wall construction including in combination, a wall section having a pair of window openings therein spaced apart by a rib portion thereof, said rib portion having a shoulder formed in each of the surfaces thereof disposed in said window openings, each shoulder being located intermediate the inner and outer sides of said wall section and facing the outer side of said wall section, a resilient window stop shaped and dimensioned so as to embrace the surfaces of said rib portion disposed between said shoulders and on the inner side of the wall section, said window stop having a pair of spaced-apart gripping portions with one portion positioned for resiliently engaging one of said shoulders of said rib portion and the other portion the other shoulder to thereby retain said stop in place on said rib portion, said gripping portions of said Window stop each having a groove in the side thereof facing the outer side of the wall section, and a pair of closure panels formed of a non-fragile material and each dimensioned to close one of said window openings, each of said panels having an edge portion retained in said groove of said gripping portion disposed in the same window opening as said panel, and means engaging the edges of said panels opposite said edges thereof retained in said grooves to thereby retain the panels in the window opening whereby upon the application of abnormal pressure to the inner face of the panels said gripping portions of said window stops flex away from said shoulders to permit outward movement of said panels without releasing the same to thereby permit venting of gaseous pressure around those edges of the panels extending between the retained edges thereof.

10. The combination recited in claim 9 wherein said panels are formed in sheets of resilient material and are held in an outwardly bowed convex shape in the window opening so that the flexing tension of the bowed panel as it tends to straighten out urges said gripping portions of said resilient stops against said rib portion so that said window stop and said panel provide retention for one another in the window opening.

11. The combination recited in claim 9 wherein said resilient window stop comprises an extruded member having a back wall, a pair of spaced apart side walls extending from one side of said back wall and a pair of leg walls extending from the inner sides of said side walls, the resiliency of said window stop tending to urge said leg walls toward the back wall thereof so that said window stop provides a clamping tension against the surfaces of said rib portion.

12. The combination recited in claim 9 wherein said resilient window stop comprises a member having a back wall, a pair of spaced apart side walls connected to said back wall and a pair of leg walls one connected to each of said side walls and forming said gripping portions, the resiliency of said window stop tending to urge said leg walls toward the back wall so that said window stop provides a clamping tension against the surfaces of said rib portion.

13. An explosion venting window assembly comprising a metal window sash having a pair of flanges at opposite edges of a window opening therein which extend towards one another in the plane of the window opening, a pair of gaskets each having a portion engaging one of said flanges of the sash to retain said gaskets thereon, each gasket including a resilient portion having a groove therein disposed on the outer side of said flanges, said resilient portion having a flexible connection with said portion of said gasket engaging said sash flange to permit movement of said gasket portions relative to one another, and a closure panel formed of non-fragile material dimensioned to close the window opening and having a pair of opposite edge portions received in the grooves of said resilient portions of said gaskets for retaining said closure panel against the sash in the window opening under normal pressure conditions, said grooved resilient portions of said gaskets being flexed outwardly therefrom with outward movement of said panel in response to the application of abnormal pressures of less than a predetermined blow-out pressure to the inner face of the panel so that said panel pulls away from the sides of the sash extending between said gaskets to provide openings between the last mentioned sides of the sash and panel for relieving said abnormal pressures, said resilient portion of each gasket being adapted to grip the panel edge portion received therein with sufficient force to retain said panel in said groove until the panel is subjected to the predetermined blow-out pressure whereupon the panel is pulled out of said grooves for bodily ejection from the window opening.

14. The combination recited in claim 13 wherein said window sash includes a second pair of flanges extending between said first mentioned flanges along said last mentioned sides of the sash, and which further includes additional gaskets extending between said first mentioned gaskets, each of said gaskets having a groove therein adapted to receive one of said flanges of the window sash to retain said gaskets thereon in the window opening.

15. The combination recited in claim 14 wherein said additional gaskets each include a bulbous portion resiliently deformable by the panel from a hollow, relaxed cross-sectional shape to a flattened section for sealing the pressure relieving openings between said panel and sash under normal pressure conditions.

16. The combination recited in claim 15 wherein said additional gaskets are joined to said first mentioned gaskets to provide a one piece gasket assembly providing a peripherally continuous weather seal between said panel and sash.

17. In a building having a wall provided with a frame defining a Window opening therein, a panel closing said window opening, a weather strip disposed along each edge of a pair of opposite edges of said frame, said strips each comprising a first portion secured to said frame and a second portion having a resilient hinge connection to said first portion, said second portion being resilient and having a groove therein receiving and gripping an edge 1 ll portion of the panel to thereby retain the panel in the Window opening, said hinge connections of said first and second portions of each strip permitting movement of said panel in an outward direction while being retained in said grooves in response to abnormal fluid pressure of less than a predetermined blow-out value acting outwardly on the inner face of the panel, such as might result from a minor explosion within the building, to thereby provide a pressure venting opening between the frame and those edges of the panel disposed between said pair of opposite edges of said frame, said second portions of said strips retaining said panel edges in said grooves against fluid pressures less than the predetermined blow-out pressure acting outwardly on the inner face of the panel and releasing said panel edges in response to higher pressures.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,959,643 Plym May 22, 1934 2,352,727 McMahon July 4, 1944 2,641,031 Ehret June 9, 1953 2,736,402 Hicks Feb. 28, 1956

Claims (1)

1. IN A BUILDING HAVING A WINDOW OPENING THEREIN PROVIDED WITH AT LEAST TWO PAIRS OF OPPOSITE EDGES, THE COMBINATION OF A WINDOW PANEL CLOSING SAID OPENING, A PAIR OF PANEL ENGAGING MEMBERS EXTENDING ALONG A FIRST PAIR OF CORRESPONDING OPPOSITE EDGES OF THE WINDOW OPENING AND THE PANEL, SAID PANEL ENGAGING MEMBERS HAVING EACH A FIRST PORTION SECURELY ATTACHED TO THE FIRST PAIR OF EDGES OF THE WINDOW OPENING AND A RESILIENT SECOND PORTION MOVABLY CONNECTED TO SAID FIRST PORTION AND HAVING A GROOVE THEREIN FOR RECEIVING THE CORRESPONDING EDGE OF THE PANEL, SAID SECOND PORTIONS OF SAID PANEL ENGAGING MEMBERS NORMALLY RETAINING THE PANEL AGAINST THE SECOND PAIR OF EDGES OF THE WINDOW OPENING BUT BEING MOVABLE RELATIVE TO SAID FIRST PAIR OF EDGES OF THE WINDOW OPENING IN A DIRECTION OUTWARDLY OF THE WINDOW OPENING WHILE RETAINING SAID OPPOSITE EDGES OF THE PANEL IN GRIPPED RELATION IN SAID GROOVES TO PERMIT THE PANEL TO MOVE BODILY OUTWARDLY AWAY FROM SAID SECOND PAIR OF WINDOW EDGES, SAID SECOND PORTIONS BEING SUFFICIENTLY DISTORTABLE TO RELEASE THE EDGE OF THE PANEL FROM SAID GROOVE IN RESPONSE TO AN ABNORMALLY HIGH PRESSURE ACTING OUTWARDLY AGAINST THE INNER FACE OF THE PANEL.

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