US2525717A - Multiwalled structure - Google Patents

Description

R. OTTENHEIMER MULTIWALLED STRUCTURE Oct. 10, 1950 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Jan. 8, 1945 i atented 10, 1950 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE MULTIWALLED STRUCTURE Reuben E. Ottenheimer, Baltimore, Md.

Application January 8, 1945, Serial No. 571,897 12 Claims. (Cl. 20 56.5)

This invention relates to .multi-walled structures and to elements adapted for the fabrication of such structures.

Multi-glazed windows for show cases, railway cars, commercial buildings and residences, among other uses, have beenemployed in the past in variou forms. In most instances the windows have been assembled at the factory and installed as a unit in frames designed to receive them. In many of the known forms of multi-glazed sash, should one of the panes become damaged, it is necessary to replace the entire sash, due to the relatively permanent manner in which the edges of the panes are sealed. Other types of installations have been criticized for the condensation that occurs between the panes, reducing transparency and developing ultimate efilorescence. Ordinary storm sash, which is the most common form of multi-glazing, lacks a seal and the number of surfaces to be cleaned is double the numberof panes.

By the provision of a preformed element having a surface provided with a pair of outer flanges and a plurality of intermediate flanges,

with channels between adjacent flanges, and

opposed retaining means near the free ends of certain of the flanges, it is now possible to either prefabricate a multi-glazed or other multi-walled structure at a manufacturing center or assemble it on the site. Installation and repair can be effected by semi-skilled personnel and single wall constructions can be converted to multiple wall closures or partitions withrelative simplicity in accordance with the principles of the present invention.

The preformed element may be produced by extrusion or other means and dependin upon the composition employed, may be in some cases self-supporting. It may be homogeneous or reinforced with filaments, strips, webs or other types of materials. It may be composed of resilient material such as natural and/or synthetic rubber, condensation resins or other suitable resilient or fiowable material which while self-supporting, can be pressed into contactwith glass sheets or walls of fiber, metal, wood, plastic, or other material, to produce a seal in spite of irregularities of the size or surface of the glass or other panel. The molded element may be unitary or composite. It may comprise a rigid or semi-rigid shell surfaced with a more plastic sealing material for contact with the panels. The panel receiving channels may be tapered and/or extensible to receive sheets of varying thickpasses, while the intermediate channels may contain or communicate with hygroscopic material for removing moisture from the entrapped air between adjacent panels. A bridging element may be interposed in any intermediate channel so as to prevent collapse or undue movement of the flanges and to retain any hygroscopic material that may be present. Such a bridging element can permit breathing by being suitably perforated over a suificient portion of its area. To retain such bridging elements, certain of the flanges may be provided with retaining means in the form of shoulders, grooves, beads, or other suitable arrangements.

A more complete understanding of the proposed invention will follow from a description of the appended drawings wherein:

Figure 1 is a section, partially broken away, of a multi-walled structure incorporating some of the features of the invention;

Figure 2 is a section of a sealing element;

Figure 3 is a section of another form of sealing element;

Figure 4 is a section, partially broken away, of a modified form of structure;

Figure 5 is a perspective, partially in section and partially broken away, of a multi-window cabinet incorporating features of the invention;

Figure 6 is a section, partially broken away,

of still another form of multi-walled structure;

Figure 7 is a sectional elevation of another modification; and

Figure 8 is a sectional elevation of still another modification.

Referring to Fig. l of the drawings, three wall panels II], which may be glass, wood, metal, or other material, are shown as retained in spaced parallel relationship by a preformed element l2 which encompasses the edges of the panels. The preformed element is externally embraced by a channel l4 formed of metal, preformed plastic, preformed plywood, or the like, which serves as a frame to support and protect it. The preformed element comprises outer flanges l6 and intermediate flanges 18. The panels are received in alternate channels defined by the flanges, the remaining channels serving to save material, or, if desired, simultaneously serving for the removal of moisture from the fluid entrapped between the panels. As indicated in Fig. l, a hygroscopic agent 20 is placed in these channels and covered in each case by a plate or bridge 22, received in opposed grooves formed near the upper ends of certain of the flanges. In some instances, a rigid tube or tray may be inserted between the intermediate fianges, in which instances, they may mediate flanges 58.

be perforated and contain such hygroscopic material.

These grooves 24 are more clearly shown in Figs. 2 and 3 which depict two forms of prefabricated elements prior to their incorporation in a multi-walled assembly. The modification of Figure 2 is adapted to receive two panels, one in each of the channels defined by the outer flanges l6 and their respective adjacent inter- The central channel 26 may be used for receipt of or communication with a body of hygroscopic material such as silica gel, calcium chloride or such agents as will absorb or adsorb moisture from the atmosphere between the panes. The glazing element of Fig. 3 is provided with four intermediate flanges as distinguished from the two of Fig. 2. The central channel '23 in this case has its base formed with a longitudinal corrugation 29 to permit ready transverse expansion of the channel for accommodation of panes of different thicknesses. For a similar purpose in the case of the outer channels, the outer flanges are initially formed to flare outwardly, as shown, and after insertion of the panes, they are deflected into contact with i the outer surfaces of the outer panes respectively to provide a relatively airtight and water-tight seal. Such a seal may be augmented by the use of heat, pressure, adhesive or plasticizer, or combinations ofsuch agencies.

The glazing elements are preferably composed of a flexible or flowable material, preformed by extrusion or other methods. Some compositions contemplated will impart semi-rigidity to the elements. Natural and/or synthetic rubber are suited to these requirements as are various resins and condensation products. In some cases, it may be desired to reinforce these molded products by the inclusion of strip, filamentary, woven or otherwise constituted members within the body of the element. In other cases, semi-rigid elements may be surfaced with such plastic sealing compositions as will accomplish the objects of this invention.

The plates or bridging elements 22 may be composed of stiff fiber, plastic, wood or metal, and may be suitably perforated and preformed to retain hygroscopic material and permit breathing, yet provide adequate rigidity to maintain the continguous flanges in-contact with the panes of glass or other walls set in the adjacent chan nels. The glass receiving channels may be divergent if desired to adapt the elements to receive panes of varying or different thicknesses.

Fig. 4 depicts an assembly similar to that shown in Fig. 1, differing primarily in the provision of openings 30 penetrating the body of web of the glazing element for communication with the channel or channels between those which receive the panes. These openings permit the hygroscopic agent to be positioned in a container or containers which can be inserted into or connected to the ports provided by the openings.

One suitable application of this form of invention has been depicted in Fig. 5 which shows a window sash 32 receiving such a multi-glazed structure and providing a container Bil holding a body of hygroscopic or dessicating material. Communication is established between the container and open channels through tubes 35 which project into the openings As shown, the members are assembled by means of the strip or strips 33 toe-nailed in place to produce the required bearing upon the glazing element and its plurality of panes.

A glazing element [2 designed for two panes of glass it] is shown in Fig. 6. The intermediate channel containing hygroscopic material is bridged by a plate 22, retained in position by beads ll! formed on the outer edges of the outer end intermediate channels. These beads assure a seal against the pane surfaces for thicknesses covering a wide range. The outer flanges are shown as normally erect, a condition which can be achieved in any form of the invention to obviate the need for an outer frame 14 as described in conjunction with Fig. 1.

Fig. '7 depicts panes or panels [0 received in channels 32 of a plastic member 44 whose intermediate channel 46 is spread by a perforated tube or bridging means 48 adapted to receive hygroscopic material. Bonded to the outer faces of the, plastic member 44 are a pair of rigid angles 50 having depending flanges 52, one of which is tapped to receive a screw 54. With the panes inserted, advancing the screw 54' will spread the flanges 52 and clamp the panes in position.

Fig. 8 illustrates a pair of panes or panel's l0 received in channels 56 of a plastic member 58 whose intermediate channel 61? receives a rigid tray 62 to space the intermediate flanges 64 of the plastic member. This tray may contain hygroscopic material if desired. Clamping elements 66 of metal or other rigid material are of approximately Z --shape in section, the depending flanges being perforated and tapped respectively to receive a clamping screw 88'. When the screw is advanced, the clamping elements 66 are drawn into position about the plastic member 58 and exert a clamping and sealing effect upo the panes or panels ill with the aid of the interposed tray or bridging means 62.

The embodiments described in the foregoing are intended to illustrate a few applications of the present invention, which should not be limited thereto beyond the scope of the appended claims.

I claim:

1. A glazing element of resilient flexiblematerial comprising a web having inner and outer surfaces, a pair Of outwardl flaring outer flanges and a, plurality of intermediate flanges projecting from the inner surface of said web, adjacent flanges defining channels therebetween, andv opposed shoulders formed near the free ends of certain of said intermediate flanges defining free end portions which are more proximate to one another than are adjacent intermediate portions of said flanges.

2. A resilient flexible unitary glazing element comprising a web having inner and outer surfaces, a pair of outer flanges and a plurality of intermediate flanges projecting from the inner surface of said web, adjacent flanges defining channels therebetween, and means formed near the free ends of said intermediate flanges reducing the width of certain of said channels at their open ends.

3. A resilient flexible glazing elementcomprising a web having inner. and outer surfaces, a pair of outer flanges and a plurality of intermediate flanges projecting from the inner surface of said Web, adjacent flanges defining channels therebetween, certain of said'channels adjacent an outer flange diverging toward their open ends, and' certain of said flanges having opposed relativel enlarged portions at said ends adapted to retain a reinforcing element. r

i 4. A glazing element of resilient flexible material comprising a web having inner and outer surfaces, a pair of outer flanges and a plurality of intermediate flanges projecting from the inner surface of said web, adjacent flanges defining channels therebetween, channels formed adjacent said outer flanges being substantially unobstructed and diverging toward their open ends, and shoulders defining inwardly directed flanges formed near the free ends of certain of said adjacent flanges.

5. A multi-glazed window comprising a frame, a sealing element composed of resilient flexible material received in said frame, said element having a web and outer flanges in contact with said frame and intermediate flanges provided with opposed shoulders defining retaining flanges directed towards one another at their free ends, a pane between each outer flange and its adjacent intermediate flange, and a spacing member retained by said retaining flanges.

6. A multi-glazed window comprising a frame, a preformed sealing element composed of resilient flexible material received in said frame, said element having a web and outer flanges in contact with said frame, and intermediate flanges having intermediate portions reduced relative to their ends, a pane sealed between each outer flange and its adjacent intermediate flange, and spacing means interposed between said reduced portions of certain of said intermediate flanges and interlocked therewith.

7. A multi-walled structure comprising a frame, a preformed sealing element composed of resilient flexible material received in said frame, said element having a web and outer flanges in contact with said frame and a plurality of pairs of intermediate flanges, certain of said intermediate flanges containing opposed grooves, a panel between each outer flange and its adjacent intermediate flange and between certain of the remaining intermediate flanges and spacing means received between said opposed grooves of said intermediate flanges.

8. A multi-glazed window comprising a frame, a sealing element composed of resilient flexible material received in said frame, said element having a web and outer flanges in contact with said frame and intermediate flanges provided with opposed retaining flanges near their free ends, said outer flanges and intermediate flanges defining channels which diverge towards their open ends, a pane received in each of a plurality of said channels and spacing means in the remaining channels interlocked with said retaining flanges.

9. A multi-glazed window comprising a frame, a sealing element comprising resilient flexible material received in said frame, said element having a web and outer flanges in contact with said frame and intermediate flanges provided with opposed retaining flanges near their free ends, said outer and intermediate flanges defining chan- 6 nels therebetween, panes received in certain of said channels, at least one of said channels having a longitudinal corrugation formed in its web to receive panes of different thicknesses, and spacing means interlocked with said retaining flanges intermediate said alternate channels.

10. A glazing element of resilient flexible material comprising a web having inner and outer surfaces, a pair of outer flanges, and a plurality of intermediate flanges projecting from the inner surface of said web, adjacent flanges defining channels therebetween, and opposed yieldable retaining shoulders formed near the free ends of certain of said intermediate flanges said shoulders being adapted to retain flange spacing means.

11. A multi-glazed window comprising a frame, a sealing element composed of resilient flexible material received in said frame, said element having a web and outer flanges in contact with said frame and intermediate flanges provided with opposed shoulders defining retaining flanges directed towards one another at their free ends, a pane between each outer flange and its adjacent intermediate flange, a spacing member retained by said retaining flanges, said element and spacing member defining a chamber, and means establishing communication between said chamber and a space intermediate said panes.

12. A multi-walled structure comprising a frame a reformed sealing element composed of resilient flexible material received in said frame, said element having a web and outer flanges in contact with said frame and a plurality of pairs of intermediate flanges, certain of said intermediate flanges containing opposed grooves, a panel between each outer flange and its adjacent intermediate flange and between certain of the remaining intermediate flanges and spacing means received between said opposed grooves of said intermediate flanges, said spacing member containing a fluid passage in communication with Number a space intermediate said panels.

REUBEN E. OTTENHEIMER.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Name Date 1,975,895 Geyer Oct. 9, 1934 2,077,305 Batchell Apr. 13, 1937 2,129,072 Rutishauser Sept. 6, 1938 2,168,216 Kennedy Aug. 1, 1939 2,189,388 Zand Feb. 6, 1940 2,193,853 Axe Mar. 19, 1940 2,276,112 Stoneback Mar. 10, 1942 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date Germany July 1, 1937 Certificate of Correction Patent No. 2,525,717 October 10, 1950 REUBEN E. OTTENHEIMER It is hereby certified that error appears in the printed specification of the above numbered patent requiring correction as follows:

Column 4, line 8, for the Word end read and; column 6, line 31, for frame a reformed read frame, a preformed;

and that the said Letters Patent should be read as corrected above, so that the same may conform to the record of the case in the Patent Office.

Signed and sealed this 26th day of December, A. D. 1950.

THOMAS F. MURPHY,

Assistant Gammz'ssz'oner of Patents.

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