US3118188A - Window frame apparatus - Google Patents

Description

21, 1964 R. E. DULEBOHN ETAL 3,113,133

wmnow FRAME APPARATUS Filed May 1, 1961 l 7 30 I t fu K g l I I I 30\ E INVENT s. G 2 RICHARD E. DULEBOHN l\\\\\\\ ALFRED w. BAGLEY Ll BY FULWIDER, MATTINGLY & HUNTLEY ATTORNEY United States Patent 3,113,183 WKNDGW FEAR/E APPARATUS Richard E. Dnlehohn, San Pedro, and Alfred W. Bagley, Long Beach, Qaliil, assignors to Pacific flurtainwall, Inc, Long Beach, Cfliil, a corporation of California Filed May 1, 1961, 521'. No. 196,715 1 Claim. (Ci. 2tl11) The present invention relates generally to windows and, more particularly, to means in a window for fixedly securing a pane of glass in place.

An important object of the invention is to provide a window construction that incorporates an improved means of quickly glazing the window opening with a fixed pane of glass, to achieve a permanent weather-proof installation.

Another object of the invention is to provide a window pane securing means that is completely hidden from view but in which repairs or replacement of the pane of glass can nevertheless be made without causing injury of any of the parts of the assembly.

It is also an important object of the invention to provide a window pane holding device that insures a complete weatherproof seal entirely around the edge of the glass.

Yet another object of the invention is to provide supporting means for a pane of glass which insures that no expansion or contraction forces in the surrounding building framework will be imposed on the glass.

These and other objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following description of a presen ly preferred embodiment thereof when taken in conjunction with the annexed drawing wherein:

FZGURE 1 is a vertical sectional view taken transversely through a window incorporating the invention; and

FIGURE 2 is a vertical sectional view on a plane normal to the plane of FIGURE 1, on the line 2--2.

The invention has special utility in the so-called curtainwall type of construction, in which the openings of a grid of vertical and horizontal metal members are filled with wall panels or windows. Accordingly, the invention is illustrated in connection with metal window framing members utilized in curtainwall or window-wall construction. However, it will be appreciated that the invention is not strictly limited to use in this environment.

in the drawing, the window frame comprises a header 111, a pair of mullions 11 (only one of which is shown) and a sill In curtainwall construction these members are typically extruded sections of aluminum and are available in a wide variety of cross-sectional configurations. The details of such configurations are pertinent to the invention in the respects hereinafter indicated. While the window frame may comprise a rigid rectangular frame which is lifted and put into place within one of the openings of the curtainwall grid, in the present instance the mullions 11 are illustrated as comprising the elongated vertical members of the curtainwall grid.

It will be seen that the header 1t; and sill 12 have difierences in details of cross-sectional configuration and it also will be understood that the mullions 11 may be different in cross-sectional configuration from either the header 1% or sill 12. However, the header, sill and mullions all have certain integrally formed portions in common, and, accordingly, will not be separately described with respect to the common features.

The header and sill 12 have body portions which are generally channel-shaped in configuration. Thus, both ha 'e identical webs 13 and one side wall 14, the channel shape being completed by an opposite wall 15 on the header 1%, and an opposite side wall 16 on the sill 12. It will be understood that each mullion 11 is similarly channel- Bildddfi Patented Jan. 21, 1964 1:! shaped with a web 13 and one side wall 14. The opposite side wall 17 of the mullion 11 may vary in configuration, just as the configuration of the side wall 15 of the header 1i diilers from the configuration of the side wall 16 of the sill 12.

A single window is shown in the drawing, comprising a substantially rectangular pane 18 of glass that is slightly larger in length and height than the horizontal and vertical dimensions, respectively, defined by the opening of the window frame elements. A length of U-shaped sealing strip 19, of rubber or rubber-like material, is mounted along the entire length of each edge of the pane 18 to embrace the edge portion of the glass between the side walls of the strip. The abutting ends of the strips 19 preferably are cut to a miter joint, as indicated at 29, and the ends may, if desired, be adhesively or otherwise secured together. Of course, all four sealing strips 19 are mounted on the pane 18 before the glass is placed in the window frame. 1'1 this connection, care should be exercised in prescribing the dimensions of the pane 18 so that when the sealing strips 19 are mounted in place the sealing strips on their inner edges define an opening of the same size as the opening defined by the window frame elements.

The pane 18 is held in place by clamping along each edge, on a sealing strip 19, with an elongated clamping member 21 to hold the pane against an elongated abutmeat 22. The fixed abutment 22 comprises an integrally formed portion of the side wall 14 of the header 10, mullions 11 and sill 12. Thus, each side wall 14, along its free edge, has a flange portion 23 extendin inwardly of the channel-shape, parallel to the web 13, and developing along its inner edge into the abutment 22, which is parallel to the side wall 14 and pointing towards the web 13. The abutment 22 is preferably the sarne width as the sealing strip 19 so that when the sealing strip, containing an edge of the pane 18, is clamped against the abutment, all of the width of the sealing strip will be compressed into a fluid-tight seal between the glass and the metal.

The clamping members 21 are also extruded metal members having a cross-sectional configuration resemling an L. These clamping members, like the abutments 22, are of approximately the same length as the corresponding dimension of the window opening defined by the header, mullions or sill, there being, preferably, one clamp for each side of the frame, and they are held against displacement solely by virtue of their clamping action.

Each of the clamping members 21, at the apex or junction of its pair of angularly related side walls, is exteriorly formed with a longitudinally extending lip 24 that is arcuate in cross-sectional configuration. The concave surface of this lip defines a substantially semicylindrical groove 25. Similarly, the header 1t mullions 11 and sill 12, on the inside of their webs 1, are formed with longitudinally extending integral lips 27 that are also or" arcuate cross-sectional configuration. As is indicated in FIGURE 1, the lip 24 of each clamping member 21 is complementarily receivable within the groove 28 of a web lip 27 and, conversely, the lip 27 of each web 13 is receivable in a semi-cylindrical groove 2d of a clamp-ing member The clamping members 21 thus have pivotal movement on the bearing provided by the lips 27 and 24.

The wall 2a of each clamping member 21 is positioned for movement into and out of clam-ping engagement against one side of a sealing strip 19, and the edge portion of the pane 13 embraced by [the sealing strip, in response to suitable pivotal movement of the clamping member. For accomplishing such pivotal movement, and for forcefully clamping the member 21 in opposition to the fixed abutment 22, the wall 26 of each clamping member $3 threadedly mounts a plurality of set screws 3% which bear against the web 13.

it will be seen that when the clamping members El are in place, the channels of the header it mullions ll and sill 12 are open only in the space between the free edge of the legs 29 of the clamping members and the free edges of the si e walls l5, l7 and 16 of the channelshaped framing elements. To close this space and, also, to aid in reinforcing or maintaining the clamping members in clamping position, cover members 31 are provided. Each of these cover members is also preferably made of an extruded metal and has the cross-sectional con iguration shown in FTGURE 1.

It will be noted that each of the opposite side walls 15, in and 17 of the header 19, ll 12 and mullio-ns 11, respectively, is formed with a 3-2 that extends inwardly relative to the channel shaped framing element. In each case, this lip is recessed to define a shoulder 33 adapted to seat one longitudinal edge of a cover flange 34 of the cover member, in flush relationship to the window framing element. Similarly, shoulder 35 is formed in the exposed edge of the leg 2-9 of each clamping member, for seating. the other longitudinally extending edge of the flange 34.

The other flange 35 or the cover member 3-1, at its junction with the flange and on the side facing the lip 3-2,

is formed with a longitudinally extending groove 37 adapted to receive the 32. Because of the reduced wall thickness in the flange 36 created by the groove 37, the flange 36 is somewhat flexible and can bend when the cover member 31 s being pushed into place until the groove 37 snaps around the lip 32. The webs 13 are interiorly formed with longitudinally extending walls 38, which are of sufflcient height to engage the free edge of the flange 35 of a cover member, before this snapping action occurs. As the cover member 31 is pushed into place, that face of the flange 3-5 in which the groove 37 is formed rides on a cam edge 3% of the lip 32, to gradually deform flange 36 until the snapping action occurs. After a cover member 31 is place, the engagement of the free edge of the flange as with a wall 38 prevents lifting of that edge of the member 31 which is received in the shoulder 35. i

A variety of procedures for mounting the pane 18 will occur to experienced glaziers. Assuming the pane 18 to be cut to the proper size and fitted with the sealing strips 1%, the following procedure may be used. Suitable wedge blocks may first be placed inside the sill 12 in order to support the pane 28 in the manner shown in FIGURE 1, with the lower edge of the lower sealing strip 19 substantially flush with the lower edge of the sills abutment 22. A suitable length of clamping member 21 can then be hooked onto the lip 27 of the header 1t) and the set screws 34 thereof turned to clamp the upper edge of the window pane between the abutment 22 of Clampmg members 21 of suitable length can be mounted in the same fashion in the mu-llions if. and set screws 3% tightened for clamping the vertical edges of the pane and the corresponding sealing strips 19. The temporary wedge blocks can then be removed from the sill 12, after which the clamping member 21 for the sill can be mounted in place. Finally, the cover' rnbers El are snapped into place on the header l8, mnl ens l1 and sill 32.

it will be seen that a complete weather seal is provided around the edge of the pane 1%. Furthermore, this weather seal will not be adversely aflected by the expansion and contraction of the surrounding metal framework nor will expansion and contraction stresses of the metal be transmitted to the pane 13. Such stresses instead are absorbed by the sealing strips 19, but without pulling the strips out of Weather sealing engagement with the pane l8, abutment 22 or clamping wall 29 of the clamping member 21.

in the event of damage to the pane 18, replacement can be readily accomplished. The fragments of glass can be pulled out of the sealing strip or strips 19, and the strip can then be pulled out from between the abut ment 22 and clamping wall 29. This will more readily permit the clamping member 21 to be pivoted towards the abutment 2-2 which, in turn, permits the cover member El to be released by moving its groove 3 7 out of engagement with the lip 32. In like manner, all of the clamping members 21 and cover members 31 can be released, after which a new pane of glass can be mounted in the manner previously described.

While a presently preferred embodiment of the invention has been hereinabove set forth it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to specific details of construction but by the spirit and scope of the following claim.

I claim:

A window frame element having means to support a panel of glass, said element comprising:

a generally channel. shaped framing member having opposite'sidewalls and a web portion, one of said sidewalls having an integrally formed abutment surface extending longitudinally of said member;

an elongated clamping member of generally L-shaped cross-sectional configuration wholly disposed Within said channel member, said clamping member having a longitudinally extending integrally formed lip disposed exteriorly at the apex of the legs of said L- shaped clampingmember engageable with a lip integrally formed on the inner surface of said web portion of said channel shaped member and extending longitudinally of said channel shaped member, said pair of lips providing pivotal bearing support for said clamping member;

a plurality of set screws threadedly mounted in one of the legs of said clamping member that confronts and overlays said web portion of said channel shaped ember, saidscrews having bearing engagement with said web portion whereby to effect angular movement of said clamping member, the other leg of said clamping member confronting said abutment surface for clamping an edge portion of a pane of glass between said other leg of said clamping member and said abutment surface;

an elongated cover member having a pair of angularly related flanges, one of said flanges having one edge seated on the swingable edge of said other leg of said. clamping member and havingits other edge seated on the free edge of the other sidewall of said channel shaped member, the other of said flanges of said cover member being disposed within said channel shaped member and having a detent engagement with said other sidewall of said channel shaped mem b er to prevent lifting of said cover ember upwardly out of said channel shaped member, said other flange of said cover member being flexible and having a free end, extending toward said web portion of said channel shaped member, said free end being engageable with one side of a rib integrally formed with said web portion to prevent lifting of said one edge of said first mentioned flange of said cover member from said swingable edge of said clamping member, said one flange of said cover member concealing said other flange of said cover member, said set screws and substantially all of said clamping member.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNlTED STATES PATENTS 1,877,835 Feykert Sept. 20, 1932 1,984,495 Plym Dec. 18, 1934 2,220,569 Himmel et al. Nov. 5, 1940 2,270,036 Conlon Jan. 13, 1942 2,757,421 Toney Aug. 7, 1956 2,848,762 Peterson Aug. 26, 1958

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