초록 ▼

Spacer frame tubing for being mounted between first and second panes in an insulated window assembly, the tubing being configured to flex inwardly and outwardly in response to inwardly and outwardly directed pressures exerted by the glass panes so as to minimize the tendency of the panes to pivot ag

Spacer frame tubing for being mounted between first and second panes in an insulated window assembly, the tubing being configured to flex inwardly and outwardly in response to inwardly and outwardly directed pressures exerted by the glass panes so as to minimize the tendency of the panes to pivot against the sidewalls of the tubing. The reduction in pivoting action reduces the tendency of the edges of the panes to alternately pull away from and press against the sealing strip around the perimeter of the window assembly as the panes bow in response to changes in atmospheric pressure, thereby reducing the tendency of the edges of the panes to separate from or fracture against the sealing strip. The tubing has first and second side walls for engaging the inside surfaces of the glass panes, and a transverse wall interconnecting the sidewall portions. The transverse wall portion is made up of first and second web portions that are joined by a seam structure, the seam structure being formed by a series of overlapping and underlapping tab portions which engage one another in sliding interfit. The sliding interfit permits the web portions to slide towards and away from one another while still keeping the seam structure intact. The tubing may be constructed of roll-formed aluminum alloy sheet material, and a particulate desiccant material may be enclosed within the hollow interior of the tubing.

대표청구항 ▼

1. An insulated window assembly, comprising:first and second glass panes; andspacer frame tubing mounted between said first and second glass panes, said spacer frame tubing comprising:first and second sidewall portions for engaging inner surfaces of said glass panes; anda transverse wall portion int

1. An insulated window assembly, comprising:first and second glass panes; andspacer frame tubing mounted between said first and second glass panes, said spacer frame tubing comprising:first and second sidewall portions for engaging inner surfaces of said glass panes; anda transverse wall portion interconnecting said sidewall portions so as to support said sidewall portions in spaced-apart relationship, said transverse wall portion being configured to permit said sidewall portions to move alternately towards and away from one another in response to inwardly and outwardly directed forces exerted by said glass panes so as to minimize development of a pivoting action between said inner surfaces of said panes and said sidewall portions of said spacer frame tubing. 2. Spacer frame tubing for being mounted between first and second glass panes in an insulated window assembly, said tubing comprising:first and second sidewall portions for engaging inner surfaces of said glass panes; anda transverse wall portion interconnecting said sidewall portions so as to support said sidewall portions in spaced-apart relationship, said transverse wall portion being configured to permit said sidewall portions to move alternately towards and away from one another in response to inwardly and outwardly directed forces exerted by said glass panes so as to minimize development or a pivoting action between said inner surfaces of said panes and said sidewall portions of said spacer frame tubing, said transverse wall portion of said tubing comprising at least first and second web portions which extend from said sidewall portions and which are joint by a seam structure, said seam structure being configured to permit said web portions to move alternately towards and away from one another in response to said inwardly and outwardly directed forces exerted by said glass panes in said assembly. 3. The spacer frame tubing or claim 2, wherein said seam structure comprises:a plurality of tab portions formed on edges of said first and second web portions, said tab portions on said first web portion forming a sliding interfit with said tab portions on said second web portion so as to permit said web portions to move alternately towards and away from one another. 4. The spacer frame tubing of claim 3, wherein said tab portions on said edge of said first web portion alternately overlap and underlap said tab portions on said edge of said second web portion in sliding interfit therewith. 5. The spacer frame tubing of claim 4, wherein said overlapping and underlapping tab portions meet along planar engagement surfaces which extend generally parallel to said first and second web portions. 6. The spacer frame tubing of claim 5, wherein said first and second web portions extend in generally co-planar relationship. 7. The spacer frame tubing of claim 6, wherein said tab portions on each said edge of said web portions comprise alternating upper and lower tab portions, said upper tab portions extending in generally co-planar relationship with said web portion and said lower tab portions bending downwardly from base portions at which said lower tab portions are joined to said web portions. 8. The spacer frame tubing or claim 7, wherein each of said tab portions comprises a substantially rectangular outer end. 9. The spacer frame tubing of claim 8, wherein said base portions of said lower tab portions are positioned a spaced distance from said juxtapositioned outer ends of said upper top portions so as to form a gap for permitting said ends of said upper tab portions to move towards said bases of said lower tub portions as said first and second web portions move towards one another. 10. The spacer frame tubing of claim 8, wherein said rectangular outer ends of said upper and lower tab portions each comprise:first and second edge races for engaging, corresponding edge faces on outer ends of adjoining tab portions in sliding interfit therewith. 11. The spacer frame tubing of claim 2 , further comprising:a second transverse wall portion, so that said sidewall portions and said transverse wall portions cooperate to define a hollow interior of said tubing. 12. The spacer frame tubing of claim 11, further comprising:a particulate desiccant material disposed within said hollow interior of said tubing. 13. The spacer frame tubing of claim 11, wherein said tubing has a generally rectangular cross-section. 14. The spacer frame tubing of claim 13, further comprising:at least one projecting rib formed on each said sidewall portion of said tubing for limiting engagement with said inner surfaces of said glass panes to line-contact engagement therewith. 15. The spacer frame tubing of claim 14, wherein said projecting ribs on said sidewall portions are formed proximate said transverse wall portion having said seam structure formed therein. 16. The spacer frame tubing of claim 2, wherein said tubing is constructed of roll-formed sheet aluminum alloy material. 17. The spacer frame tubing of claim 6, wherein said tubing is constructed of roll-formed sheet aluminum alloy material. 18. An insulated window assembly comprising:first and second glass panes having inner surfaces; andspacer frame tubing mounted between said first and second glass panes, said tubing comprising:first and second sidewall portions mounted in engagement with inner surfaces of said glass panes; anda transverse wall portion interconnecting said sidewall portions so as to support said sidewall portions in spaced-apart relationship, said transverse wall portion being configured to permit said sidewall portions to move alternately towards and away from one another in response to inwardly and outwardly directed forces exerted by said glass panes so as to minimize development of a pivoting action between said inner surfaces of said panes and said sidewall portions of said spacer frame tubing. 19. The insulated window assembly of claim 18, wherein said transverse wall portion of said spacer fame tubing comprises:at least first and second wed portions which extend from said sidewall portions and which are joined by a seam structure, said seam structure being configured to permit said web portions to move alternately towards and away from one another in response to said inwardly and outwardly directed forces exerted by said glass panes in said assembly. 20. The insulated window assembly of claim 19, wherein said seam structure comprises:a plurality of tab portions formed on edges of said first and second web portion, said tab portions on said first web portion forming a sliding interfit with said tab portions on said second web portion so as to permit said web portions to move alternately towards and away from one another. 21. The insulated window of claim 20, wherein said lab portions on said edge of said first web portion alternately overlap and underlap said tab portions on said edge of said second web portion in sliding interfit therewith. 22. The insulated window assembly of claim 21, wherein said overlapping and underlapping tab portions meet along planar engagement surfaces which extend generally parallel to said first and second web portions. 23. The insulated window assembly of claim 22, wherein said first and second web portions extend in generally co-planar relationship. 24. The insulated window assembly of claim 23, wherein said tab portions on each said edge of said web portions comprise alternating upper and lower tab portions, said upper tab portions extending in generally co-planar relationship with said web portion and said lower tab portions bending downwardly from base portions at which said lower tab portions are joined to said web portions. 25. The insulated window assembly of claim 24, wherein each of said tab portions comprise a substantially rectangular outer end. 26. The insulated window assembly of claim 25, wherein said base portions of said lower tab portions are positioned a spaced distance from juxtapositioned outer ends of said u pper tab portions so as to form) a gap for permitting said ends of said upper tab portions to move towards said bases of said lower tab portions as said first and second web portions move towards one another. 27. The insulated window assembly of claim 26, wherein said rectangular outer ends of said upper and lower tab portions each comprise:first and second edge faces for engaging corresponding edge races on outer ends of adjoining tab portions in sliding interfit therewith. 28. The insulated window assembly of claim 19, wherein said tubing has a generally rectangular cross-section. 29. The insulated window assembly of claim 28, further comprising:at least one projecting rib formed on each said sidewall portion of said tubing for limiting engagement with said inner surfaces of said glass panes to line-contact engagement therewith. 30. The insulated window assembly of claim 29, wherein said projecting rib on said sidewall portions are formed proximate said transverse wall portion having said seam structure formed therein. 31. The insulated window assembly of claim 18, wherein said tubing is constructed of roll-formed sheet aluminum alloy material. 32. The insulated window assembly of claim 18, wherein said spacer frame tubing is mounted between outer edges of said glass panes proximate a perimeter of said assembly, said inward forces exerted against said sidewall portions of said tubing are being caused by inward bowing of said glass panes in response to an in increase in atmospheric pressure, and said outward forces exerted against said sidewall portions of said tubing being caused by outward bowing of said glass panes in response to a decrease in atmospheric pressure. 33. The insulated window assembly of claim 32, further comprising: a sealing strip mounted between said outer edges of said glass panes outside of said spacer frame tubing. 34. The spacer frame tubing of claim 4, wherein said overlapping tab portions are spaced apart so as to form an open gap that permits said tab portions on said first and second web portions to slide laterally relative to one another. 35. The insulated window of claim 21, wherein said overlapping tab portions are spaced apart so as to form an open gap that permits said tab portions on said first and second web portions to slide laterally relative to one another.