U.S. patent application number 11/846243 was filed with the patent office on 2008-03-06 for system and method for reducing heat transfer from a warm side to a cold side along an edge of an insulated glazing unit.
Invention is credited to Raymond G. GALLAGHER.
Application Number | 20080053037 11/846243 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 39149612 |
Filed Date | 2008-03-06 |
United States Patent
Application |
20080053037 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
GALLAGHER; Raymond G. |
March 6, 2008 |
SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR REDUCING HEAT TRANSFER FROM A WARM SIDE TO A
COLD SIDE ALONG AN EDGE OF AN INSULATED GLAZING UNIT
Abstract
A spacer bar for use in glazing units employs two heat blockage
portions. One heat blockage portion is implemented as a low thermal
conductivity planar plastic s wall portion, wherein the other heat
blockage portion is of an extended length and is implemented as a
low thermal conductivity non-planar plastic lined metal wall
portion. The non-planar plastic lined metal wall portion,
preferably including irregularities, such as ridges, ribs, or the
like.
Inventors: |
GALLAGHER; Raymond G.;
(Pittsburgh, PA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
TUCKER ELLIS & WEST LLP
1150 HUNTINGTON BUILDING, 925 EUCLID AVENUE
CLEVELAND
OH
44115-1414
US
|
Family ID: |
39149612 |
Appl. No.: |
11/846243 |
Filed: |
August 28, 2007 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
|
|
|
|
|
|
Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
60840841 |
Aug 29, 2006 |
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
52/786.13 |
Current CPC
Class: |
E06B 2003/6639 20130101;
E06B 3/66314 20130101; E06B 2003/6638 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
52/786.13 |
International
Class: |
E04C 2/02 20060101
E04C002/02 |
Claims
1. A spacer bar for an associated insulating glazing unit, which
associated insulating glazing unit includes opposed first and
second glazed structures, the spacer bar comprising: a hollow
elongated body including: an internal chamber; a first heat
blockage portion adapted for engaging with a corresponding edge of
the first glazed structure; and a second heat blockage portion
adapted for engaging with a corresponding edge of the second glazed
structure; wherein the first heat blockage portion and the second
heat blockage portion are adapted to envelope the internal chamber;
wherein the first heat blockage portion is a generally planar wall
portion of the hollow elongated body; and wherein at least one part
of the second heat blockage portion is a generally non-planar wall
portion of the hollow elongated body.
2. A spacer bar for an associated insulating glazing unit of claim
1: wherein the at least one generally non-planar wall portion of
the hollow elongated body comprises at least one irregularity;
wherein dimensions of the at least one irregularity are determined
by given thermal performance of the spacer bar.
3. A spacer bar for an associated insulating glazing unit of claim
1 wherein the first heat blockage portion of the hollow elongated
body comprises a low thermal conductivity plastic member.
4. A spacer bar for an associated insulating glazing unit of claim
1 wherein the second heat blockage portion of the hollow elongated
body comprises a low thermal conductivity plastic lined metal
member.
5. A spacer bar for an associated insulating glazing unit of claim
4 wherein the low thermal conductivity plastic lined metal member
of the second heat blockage portion of the hollow elongated body
comprises: a metal member including a first edge and a second edge;
and a plastic liner member fixedly attached to the metal member;
wherein a thickness of the plastic liner member exceeds a thickness
of the metal member.
6. A spacer bar for an associated insulating glazing unit of claim
5 wherein the first and second edges of the metal member are
adapted for engaging with respective edges of the generally planar
wall portion of the first heat blockage portion of the hollow
elongated body.
7. A spacer bar for an associated insulating glazing unit of claim
6 wherein the first and second edges of the metal member each
include a folded portion adapted for protruding in a direction
generally orthogonal to the generally planar wall portion of the
hollow elongated body.
8. A spacer bar for an associated insulating glazing unit of claim
1 wherein the first heat blockage portion of the hollow elongated
body opposes the at least one generally non-planar part of the
second heat blockage portion of the hollow elongated body.
9. A spacer bar for an associated insulating glazing unit of claim
wherein the internal chamber of the hollow elongated body is filled
at least partially with a desiccant.
10. A spacer bar for an associated insulating glazing unit of claim
1 wherein the internal chamber of the hollow elongated body is
filled at least partially with a thermally-insulative material.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] This Application claims the benefit of priority of U.S.
Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/840,841, filed Aug. 29,
2006.
BACKGROUND
[0002] The subject application is directed to a spacer bar for
reducing heat transfer between panes of glazing in an insulated
glazing unit. In particular, the subject application is directed to
a spacer bar for reducing the amount of heat transferred from the
warm side to the cold side along an edge of an insulated glazing
unit.
[0003] Conventional insulating glazing units typically use a
tubular spacer bar to separate panes of glazing forming the
insulating glazing unit. The space between panes of insulating
glass is typically filled with air or a colorless and odorless gas,
such as argon. The addition of argon greatly increases the thermal
performance of a window by minimizing heat transfer. The interior
of the spacer bar is generally provided with a seal liner, which is
composed of a thermoplastic material with good adhesion to the
spacer frame and a low moisture vapor transmission. The seal liner
serves to prevent moisture vapor penetration through the spacer
frame, and to minimize the transfer of heat from the warm side to
the cold side of an insulated glazing unit via the spacer bar. In
addition, a secondary sealant is known to be used that envelopes
the spacer bar for further reducing the heat transfer via the
spacer bar. Yet, a heat flow across the spacer bar still
exists.
SUMMARY OF INVENTION
[0004] In accordance with the subject application, there is
provided an energy conservation device for implementation in an
insulated glazing unit.
[0005] Further, in accordance with the subject application, there
is provided a spacer bar for reducing the amount of heat
transferred from the warm side to the cold side along an edge of an
insulated glazing unit having an increased path length and minimal
secondary sealant.
[0006] Still further, in accordance with one embodiment of the
subject application, there is provided a spacer bar for an
associated insulating glazing unit. The associated insulating
glazing unit includes opposed first and second glazed structures.
The spacer bar comprises a hollow elongated body including an
internal chamber, a first heat blockage portion adapted for
engaging with a corresponding edge of the first glazed structure,
and a second heat blockage portion adapted for engaging with a
corresponding edge of the second glazed structure. The first heat
blockage portion and the second heat blockage portion are adapted
to envelope the internal chamber. The first heat blockage portion
is a generally planar wall portion of the hollow elongated body. At
least one part of the second heat blockage portion is a generally
non-planar wall portion of the hollow elongated body.
[0007] In one embodiment of the subject application, the at least
one generally non-planar wall portion of the hollow elongated body
comprises at least one irregularity. Dimensions of the at least one
irregularity are determined by given thermal performance of the
spacer bar.
[0008] In another embodiment of the subject application, the first
heat blockage portion of the hollow elongated body comprises a low
thermal conductivity plastic portion.
[0009] In another embodiment of the subject application, the second
heat blockage portion of the hollow elongated body comprises a low
thermal conductivity plastic lined metal portion.
[0010] Still other objects, advantages and aspects of the subject
application will become readily apparent to those skilled in this
art from the following description wherein there is shown and
described a preferred embodiment of the subject application, simply
by way of illustration of the best modes suited to carry out the
subject application. As it will be realized by those skilled in the
art, the subject application is capable of other different
embodiments and its several details are capable of modifications in
various obvious aspects all without departing from the scope of the
subject application. Accordingly, the drawings and descriptions
will be regarded as illustrative in nature and not as
restrictive.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0011] The accompanying drawings incorporated in and forming a part
of the specification, illustrate several aspects of the subject
application, and together with the description serve to explain the
principles of the subject application. In the drawings:
[0012] FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of a spacer bar in
accordance with one embodiment of the subject application;
[0013] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of a spacer bar in
accordance with one embodiment of the subject application;
[0014] FIG. 3a is a cross-sectional view of a spacer bar in
accordance with one embodiment of the subject application;
[0015] FIG. 3b is a top view of a spacer bar in accordance with one
embodiment of the subject application;
[0016] FIG. 3c is a cross-sectional view of a metal member of a
plastic lined metal member of a spacer bar in accordance with one
embodiment of the subject application; and
[0017] FIG. 3d is a cut-out view of a spacer bar in accordance with
one embodiment of the subject application.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0018] The subject application is directed to an energy
conservation device for implementation in an insulated glazing
unit. In particular, the subject application is directed to a
spacer bar for reducing the amount of heat transferred from the
warm side to the cold side along an edge of an insulated glazing
unit.
[0019] Turning now to FIG. 1, there is shown a cross-sectional view
of a spacer bar 100 for an associated insulating glazing unit (not
shown in the drawing), in accordance with one embodiment of the
subject application. As known in the art, the associated insulating
glazing unit includes opposed first and second glazed structures
(not shown). The spacer bar 100 includes a hollow elongated body
including a first heat blockage portion adapted for engaging with a
corresponding edge of the first glazed structure, and a second heat
blockage portion adapted for engaging with a corresponding edge of
the second glazed structure. As shown in FIG. 1, the first heat
blockage portion is a generally planar wall portion 102 of the
hollow elongated body. A part of the second heat blockage portion
is a generally non-planar wall portion 104 of the hollow elongated
body. The generally non-planar wall portion 104 of the hollow
elongated body includes one or more irregularities illustrated in
FIG. 1 as ridges 106. The skilled artisan will appreciate that the
profile of the non-planar wall portion 104 including three ridges
106 is presented for illustration purposes only.
[0020] Those skilled in the art will recognize that the profile of
the non-planar wall portion 104 is capable of being deformed in any
suitable way, for example and without limitation, it can be bent,
oblique, or corrugated. In the later case it can be wavy, or
include, for example and without limitation, at least one rib,
groove, or ridge. The dimensions of the irregularities of the
profile of non-planar wall portion 104 of the spacer bar 100 are
determined by given thermal performance of the associated insulated
glazing unit, and specifically of the spacer bar 100. A skilled
artisan will appreciate that the dimensions of the ridges 106
presented in FIG. 1 are for illustration purposes only and the
instant subject application is not limited to those dimensions
shown in FIG. 1. The first heat blockage portion of the hollow
elongated body, implemented as the generally planar wall portion
102, is a low thermal conductivity plastic member. The second heat
blockage portion of the hollow elongated body is advantageously a
low thermal conductivity plastic lined metal member.
[0021] The plastic lined metal member of the second heat blockage
portion includes a metal member 108 and a plastic liner member 110
fixedly attached to the metal member 108. As will be recognized by
those skilled in the art, the plastic liner member 110 is capable
of being fixedly attached to the metal member 108 via any suitable
means, such as bonding, adhesive means, and the like. A skilled
artisan will further appreciate that the metal member 108 is
capable of implementation of stainless steel, other suitable metal,
or suitable multilayer tape. The metal member 108 is also capable
of being butyl-wrapped. As shown in FIG. 1, a thickness of the
plastic liner member 110 exceeds a thickness of the metal member
108. A skilled artisan will appreciate that the dimensions
presented in FIG. 1 are for illustration purposes only and the
instant subject application is not limited to the angular,
thickness, width, lengths, and materials shown in FIG. 1.
[0022] The plastic liner member 110 is advantageously made of an
elastically-plastically deformable material. As known in the art,
preferred materials of the type include synthetic or natural
materials that undergo plastic, irreversible deformation after the
elastic restoring forces of the bent material have been overcome.
In such preferred materials, substantially no elastic restoring
forces are active after deformation (bending) of the metal member
108 beyond its apparent yielding point. Representative plastic
materials also preferably exhibit a relatively low heat
conductivity (i.e., preferred materials are heat-insulating
materials), such as heat conductivities of less than about 5
W/(mK), more preferably less than about 1 W/(mK), and even more
preferably less than about 0.3 W/(mK). Particularly preferred
materials for the plastic liner member 110 are thermoplastic
synthetic materials including, but not limited to, polypropylene,
polyethylene terephthalate, polyamide and/or polycarbonate. The
plastic material(s) may also contain commonly used fillers (e.g.
fibrous materials), additives, dyes, UV-protection agents, etc. The
material of the plastic member of the generally planar wall portion
102 is capable of being analogous to that of the material of the
plastic liner member 110, as will be understood by those skilled in
the art.
[0023] The metal member 108 includes a first edge 112 and a second
edge 114. As shown in FIG. 1, the first and second edges 112, 114
of the metal member 108 engage with respective edges of the
generally planar wall portion 102 of the first heat blockage
portion. In the embodiment of FIG. 1, the first and second edges
112, 114 of the metal member 108 each include a folded portion 116,
118, respectively. The folded portions 116, 118 protrude in a
direction generally orthogonal to the generally planar wall portion
102. As will be appreciated by those skilled in the art, the folded
portions 116, 118 form respective legs that allow for adjustments
with respect to specific dimensions of an associated insulated
glazing unit.
[0024] As illustrated in FIG. 1, the cross-sectional view of the
spacer bar 100 indicates internal chamber 120, such as a hollow
opening, running lengthwise of the spacer bar 100. The internal
chamber 120 is enveloped by the first heat blockage portion and the
second heat blockage portion. The contents of the internal chamber
120 may include any suitable material known in the art of glazing
unit manufacturing, such as a thermally-insulative gas, a
thermally-insulative material, and a desiccant material. In other
embodiments of the subject application, the internal chamber 120
contains a low-heat transfer material, such as a foam, or the like,
advantageously having low-conductivity with respect to heat
transfer. As will be understood by those skilled in the art, one or
more linear-key members or corner key members (not indicated in
FIG. 1) are advantageously used so as to provide a continuous piece
of spacer material, as known in the art. Those skilled in the art
will appreciate that the subject application is not limited to a
single continuous piece and that a number greater than one of
spacer pieces are equally capable of being used in accordance with
the subject application. The overall height of the spacer,
illustrated in FIG. 1, is 0.330'', which provides increased
stiffness to the spacer bar 100 over conventional spacer bars, as
will be appreciated by those skilled in the art. In an alternate
embodiment, the height of the spacer is 0.276''.
[0025] Referring now to FIG. 2, there is shown a cross-sectional
view of a spacer bar 200 for an associated insulating glazing unit
(not shown in the drawing), in accordance with another embodiment
of the subject application. The spacer 200 illustrated in FIG. 2,
the same as in the embodiment of FIG. 1, includes a hollow
elongated body including a first heat blockage portion adapted for
engaging with a corresponding edge of the first glazed structure,
and a second heat blockage portion adapted for engaging with a
corresponding edge of the second glazed structure of an associated
insulating glazing unit. As shown in FIG. 2, the first heat
blockage portion is a generally planar wall portion 202 of the
hollow elongated body. A part of the second heat blockage portion
is a generally non-planar wall portion 204 of the hollow elongated
body. The generally non-planar wall portion 204 of the hollow
elongated body includes one or more irregularities illustrated in
FIG. 2 as ridges 206. The skilled artisan will appreciate that the
profile of the non-planar wall portion 204 including three ridges
206 is presented for illustration purposes only.
[0026] As mentioned above with respect to the non-planar wall
portion 104 of the embodiment of FIG. 1, the profile of the
non-planar wall portion 204 is capable of being deformed in any
suitable way, for example and without limitation, it can be bent,
oblique, or corrugated. In the later case it can be wavy, or
include, for example and without limitation, at least one rib,
groove, or ridge. The dimensions of the irregularities of the
profile of non-planar wall portion 204 of the spacer bar 200 are
determined by given thermal performance of the associated insulated
glazing unit, and specifically of the spacer bar 200. A skilled
artisan will appreciate that the dimensions of the ridges 206
presented in FIG. 2 are for illustration purposes only and the
instant subject application is not limited to those dimensions
shown in FIG. 2. The first heat blockage portion of the hollow
elongated body, implemented as the generally planar wall portion
202, is a low thermal conductivity plastic member. The second heat
blockage portion of the hollow elongated body is advantageously a
low thermal conductivity plastic lined metal member.
[0027] The plastic lined metal member of the second heat blockage
portion includes a metal member 208 and a plastic liner member 210
fixedly attached to the metal member 208. As will be recognized by
those skilled in the art, the plastic liner member 210 is capable
of being fixedly attached to the metal member 208 via any suitable
means, such as bonding, adhesive means, and the like. A skilled
artisan will further appreciate that the metal member 208 is
capable of implementation of stainless steel, other suitable metal,
or suitable multilayer tape. The metal member 208 is also capable
of being butyl-wrapped (not shown in the drawing). As shown in FIG.
2, a thickness of the plastic liner member 210 exceeds a thickness
of the metal member 208. A skilled artisan will appreciate that the
dimensions presented in FIG. 2 are for illustration purposes only
and the instant subject application is not limited to the angular,
thickness, width, lengths, and materials shown in FIG. 2.
[0028] The plastic liner member 210 is capable of being made of a
material analogous to that of the plastic liner member 110,
described in detail above with respect to FIG. 1, as will be
understood by a skilled artisan. The metal member 208 includes a
first edge 212 and a second edge 214. As shown in FIG. 2, the first
and second edges 212, 214 of the metal member 208 engage with
respective edges of the generally planar wall portion 202 of the
first heat blockage portion. As illustrated in FIG. 2, the
cross-sectional view of the spacer bar 200 indicates internal
chamber 216, such as a hollow opening, running lengthwise of the
spacer bar 200. The internal chamber 216 is enveloped by the first
heat blockage portion and the second heat blockage portion. The
contents of the internal chamber 216 may include any suitable
material known in the art of glazing unit manufacturing, such as a
thermally-insulative gas, a thermally-insulative material, and a
desiccant material. In other embodiments of the subject
application, the hollow contains a low-heat transfer material, such
as a foam, or the like, advantageously having low-conductivity with
respect to heat transfer. As will be understood by those skilled in
the art, one or more linear-key members or corner key members (not
indicated in FIG. 2) are advantageously used so as to provide a
continuous piece of spacer material, as known in the art. Those
skilled in the art will appreciate that the subject application is
not limited to a single continuous piece and that a number greater
than one of spacer pieces are equally capable of being used in
accordance with the subject application. The overall height of the
spacer, illustrated in FIG. 1, is 0.330'', which provides increased
stiffness to the spacer bar 200 over conventional spacer bars, as
will be appreciated by those skilled in the art. In an alternate
embodiment, the height of the spacer is 0.276''. The skilled
artisan will further appreciate that in the spacer 200 illustrated
in FIG. 2, unlike the spacer bar 100 illustrated in FIG. 1, the
edges 212, 214 of the metal member 208 do not include a folded
portion that protrudes in a direction orthogonal to the planar wall
portion 202. Instead, the spacer bar 200 incorporates an additional
amount of materials such that no folded portion is needed to extend
the height of the spacer 200 to 0.330'', as set forth in FIG.
1.
[0029] Turning now to FIG. 3a, there is shown a cross-sectional
view of a spacer bar 300 for an associated insulating glazing unit
(not shown in the drawing), in accordance with another embodiment
of the subject application. The spacer bar 300 illustrated in FIG.
3a, the same as in the embodiments of FIG. 1, and FIG. 2 includes a
hollow elongated body including a first heat blockage portion
adapted for engaging with a corresponding edge of the first glazed
structure, and a second heat blockage portion adapted for engaging
with a corresponding edge of the second glazed structure of an
associated insulating glazing unit. As shown in FIG. 3a, the first
heat blockage portion is a generally planar wall portion 302 of the
hollow elongated body. A part of the second heat blockage portion
is a generally non-planar wall portion 304 of the hollow elongated
body. The generally non-planar wall portion 304 of the hollow
elongated body includes one or more irregularities illustrated in
FIG. 3a as ridges 306. The skilled artisan will appreciate that the
profile of the non-planar wall portion 304 including three ridges
306 is presented for illustration purposes only.
[0030] As mentioned above with respect to the non-planar wall
portions 104, 204 of the embodiments of FIG. 1 and FIG. 2,
respectively, the profile of the non-planar wall portion 304 is
capable of being deformed in any suitable way, for example and
without limitation, it can be bent, oblique, or corrugated. In the
later case it can be wavy, or include, for example and without
limitation, at least one rib, groove, or ridge. The dimensions of
the irregularities of the profile of non-planar wall portion 304 of
the spacer bar 300 are determined by given thermal performance of
the associated insulated glazing unit, and specifically of the
spacer bar 300. The embodiment shown in FIG. 3a differs from the
above described embodiments of FIGS. 1, 2 by the configuration and
dimensions of irregularities of the profile of non-planar wall
portion 304. A skilled artisan will appreciate that the dimensions
of the ridges 306 presented in FIG. 3a are for illustration
purposes only and the instant subject application is not limited to
those dimensions shown in FIG. 3a. The first heat blockage portion
of the hollow elongated body, implemented as the generally planar
wall portion 302, is a low thermal conductivity plastic member. The
second heat blockage portion of the hollow elongated body is
advantageously a low thermal conductivity plastic lined metal
member.
[0031] The plastic lined metal member of the second heat blockage
portion includes a metal member 308 and a plastic liner member 310
fixedly attached to the metal member 308. As will be recognized by
those skilled in the art, the plastic liner member 310 is capable
of being fixedly attached to the metal member 308 via any suitable
means, such as bonding, adhesive means, and the like. A skilled
artisan will further appreciate that the metal member 308 is
capable of implementation of stainless steel, other suitable metal,
or suitable multilayer tape. The metal member 308 is also capable
of being butyl-wrapped. As shown in FIG. 3a, a thickness of the
plastic liner member 310 exceeds a thickness of the metal member
308. A skilled artisan will appreciate that the dimensions
presented in FIG. 3a are for illustration purposes only and the
instant subject application is not limited to the angular,
thickness, width, lengths, and materials shown in FIG. 3a.
[0032] The plastic liner member 310 is capable of being made of a
material analogous to that of the plastic liner members 110, 210
described in detail above with respect to FIGS. 1, 2, as will be
understood by a skilled artisan. The metal member 308 includes a
first edge 312 and a second edge 314. As shown in FIG. 3a, the
first and second edges 312, 314 of the metal member 308 engage with
respective edges of the generally planar wall portion 302 of the
first heat blockage portion. As illustrated in FIG. 3a, the
cross-sectional view of the spacer bar 300 indicates internal
chamber 316, such as a hollow opening, running lengthwise of the
spacer bar 300. The internal chamber 316 is enveloped by the first
heat blockage portion and the second heat blockage portion. The
contents of the internal chamber 316 may include any suitable
material known in the art of glazing unit manufacturing, such as a
thermally-insulative gas, a thermally-insulative material, and a
desiccant material. In other embodiments of the subject
application, the internal chamber 316 contains a low-heat transfer
material, such as a foam, or the like, advantageously having
low-conductivity with respect to heat transfer. As will be
understood by those skilled in the art, one or more linear-key
members or corner key members (not indicated in FIG. 3a) are
capable of being advantageously used so as to provide a continuous
piece of spacer material, as known in the art. Those skilled in the
art will appreciate that the subject application is not limited to
a single continuous piece and that a number greater than one of
spacer pieces are equally capable of being used in accordance with
the subject application.
[0033] FIG. 3b further illustrates a top view 318 of the spacer bar
300, FIG. 3c shows a cross-sectional view 320 of the metal member
308 of a plastic lined metal member of the spacer bar 300, and FIG.
3d shows a cut-out view 322 illustrating engaging of the second
edge 314 of the metal member 308 with a respective edge of the
planar wall portion 302 of the first heat blockage portion, in
accordance with the subject application. In a preferred embodiment,
the metal member 308 has a thickness of approximately 0.0039''.
[0034] As illustrated by the cross-sectional view of the metal
member 308 in FIG. 3c, the metal member 308 is pre-bent into an
acceptable shape for coupling with the plastic liner member 310.
The plastic liner member 310 is formed to create tubular hollow
internal chamber 316, running lengthwise of the spacer bar 300,
indicated in FIG. 3a. The skilled artisan will further appreciate
that similar to the spacer bar 200 of FIG. 2, in the spacer bar 300
illustrated in FIG. 3a, the edges 312, 314 of the metal member 308
do not include a folded portion that protrudes in a direction
orthogonal to the planar wall portion 302, as in the embodiment
shown in FIG. 1. In contrast, the spacer bar 300 incorporates an
additional amount of materials such that no folded portion is
needed to extend the height of the spacer 300 to 0.330'', as set
forth in FIG. 1. The skilled artisan will appreciate that the
dimensions presented in FIG. 3 are for illustration purposes only
and the subject application is not limited to the angular,
thickness, width, lengths, and materials shown in FIG. 3.
[0035] The forgoing description allows for appreciation of
significant advantages associated with disclosed structure. The
disclosed spacer bar technology results in a higher stiffness. This
advantage is attributable to the shape and dimensions chosen for
the spacer design. A height of a space is suitably 0.33 inches,
which is more than the 0.276 inches to which earlier bending
machines have been adjusted. The disclosed spacer also allows for
improved, lowered thermal conductivity. This is resultant from a
longer metal path and missed sealing at a lower portion that forms
a secondary seal. The improved design counteracts thermal loss that
would otherwise be expected given a presence of such a secondary
seal. The absence of this seal also results in a substantial cost
savings during fabrication.
[0036] Those skilled in the art will further recognize that the
heat transfer across the embodiments of the spacer bar of the
subject application, illustrated in FIGS. 1, 2, and 3, is minimized
by suitably employing two heat blockage portions, one of which is
implemented as a planar plastic wall portion, wherein the other
heat blockage portion is of an extended length and is implemented
as a non-planar plastic lined metal wall portion, preferably
including irregularities, such as ridges, ribs, or the like.
[0037] It will further be understood by those skilled in the art
that the shape and construction of the spacer bar, as illustrated
FIGS. 1, 2, and 3, enables vast cost-savings in the reduced amount
of secondary sealant required by the subject application. The
secondary sealant volume per foot of common spacers is typically
0.891 cubic inches per foot that results in 25.9 units per gallon
of sealant for 2'.times.3' units. With a sealant price of $19.20
per gallon, each 2'.times.3' unit with a full secondary sealant
includes $0.74 per unit for the secondary sealant. As the skilled
artisan will appreciate with respect to the spacer bar illustrated
in FIGS. 1-3, the estimated secondary sealant volume per unit is
only 0.220 cubic inches per foot or only about 1/4 the full
coverage and a $0.19 per unit sealant cost. Thus, there is a
savings of $0.55 per unit. Therefore, a high volume insulated
glazing manufacturer will realize substantial annual savings.
[0038] The foregoing description of a preferred embodiment of the
subject application has been presented for purposes of illustration
and description. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit
the subject application to the precise form disclosed. Obvious
modifications or variations are possible in light of the above
teachings. The embodiment was chosen and described to provide the
best illustration of the principles of the subject application and
its practical application to thereby enable one of ordinary skill
in the art to use the subject application in various embodiments
and with various modifications as are suited to the particular use
contemplated. All such modifications and variations are within the
scope of the subject application as determined by the appended
claims when interpreted in accordance with the breadth to which
they are fairly, legally and equitably entitled.
* * * * *