Closure Spacer Member And Method Of Erecting A Fixed Frame Assembly

Abstract

A closure spacer member extruded from a resilient substance such as rubber or plastic to have a spacer element and a tear-away sealing lip. The spacer member is useful in fixed frame assemblies of the type having exterior and interior perimeter retainer beads, and closures, such as windows, decorative panels and the like, installed between the perimeter retainer beads. When installed, the sealing lip of the spacer member fills a sealant receiving perimeter recess of the fixed frame assembly from the time the closure is initially installed until the sealant is to be applied. At a future time, the tear-away sealing lip is detached and a sealant is installed in the clean, sealant receiving perimeter recess. A method of erecting a fixed frame assembly is described.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention:

This invention relates to fixed frame assemblies, and more particularly to an improved glazing spacer member having a tear-away lip for temporarily sealing a sealant receiving perimeter recess of the fixed frame assembly.

2. Description of the Prior Art:

In modern curtain wall constructions, vertical and horizontal metallic members are assembled as a grid to provide plural fixed frame assemblies each defining an opening. The openings receive closures, such as glazing panes, decorative panels and the like. Other closure receiving fixed frame assemblies are known for use as store fronts. See U. S. Pat. Nos. 3,016,993 (H. L. OWEN, Jan. 16, 1962), 3,038,568 (G. W. MORGAN, June 12, 1962), 3,196,998 (H. L. OWEN, July 27, 1965).

In fixed frame assemblies, the closure is positioned between exterior and interior perimeter retainer beads and normally rests upon two or more spaced stop members mounted at the bottom of the frame assembly. A resilient sealing strip is positioned between the closure and the interior perimeter retainer bead. A spacer, in the form of a continuous resilient strip or plural flexible elements, is positioned between the closure and the exterior perimeter retainer bead such that a sealant receiving perimeter recess is provided. A weather sealant, such as thiokol rubber, is introduced into a sealant receiving perimeter recess.

In the assembly of modern buildings, the closures frequently are installed from the inside of the building framework in order to enclose the space as rapidly as possible. The exterior weather sealant may not be installed for quite some time after the closures have been secured in position. At the later date, perhaps months later in some cases, the glazier working from exterior scaffolding must clean out the sealant receiving perimeter recess. Thereafter, the recess is filled with a sealant, such as thiokol rubber. The cleaning operation is extremely difficult and time consuming.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The principal object of this invention is to provide a closure spacer member having a sealing lip detachably connected thereto which, when installed, serves to temporarily seal the sealant receiving perimeter recess of a fixed frame assembly.

A further object of this invention is to provide a method of erecting a fixed frame assembly which incorporates the improved closure spacer member of this invention.

The present invention provides a closure spacer member comprising a spacer element and a sealing lip detachably connected to and extending along the length of the spacer element. The sealing lip and the spacer element may be extruded as an integral unit. The spacer member preferably is formed from a resilient substance, such as rubber or plastic, whereby the sealing lip may be detached by tearing from the spacer element. The spacer element preferably is provided with a lug which serves to resist inadvertent removal of the spacer element during detachment of the sealing lip.

The present invention also provides improvements in the method of erecting a fixed frame assembly wherein a closure is positioned between exterior and interior perimeter retainer beads each of which presents an inner perimeter edge. In accordance with the present method, a spacer member comprising a spacer element and a sealing lip detachably connected thereto is placed between the confronting faces of the closure and one of the perimeter retainer beads. The spacer member extends along substantially the entire length of the inner perimeter edge of the perimeter retainer bead with the sealing lip exposed at the inner perimeter edge. The sealing lip serves as a temporary seal until such time as caulking material is to be installed. Thereafter, the sealing lip is detached from the spacer element to expose a perimeter recess defined by the spacer element and the confronting faces of the closure and the perimeter retainer bead. The perimeter recess is then filled with a permanent weather sealant.

The term "closure" as used in this specification and the appended claims is intended to include light transmitting closures, such as transparent and translucent windows or plastic sheets; and decorative infill closures, such as insulated and uninsulated panels, opaque glass sheets, opaque plastic sheets, natural and syntheitc stone slabs, and the like.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a fragmentary isometric view of the closure spacer member of this invention, illustrating the detachment of a portion of a sealing lip from a spacer element;

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line 2--2 of FIG. 1 further illustrating the closure spacer member of this invention;

FIG. 3 is a side view of the present closure spacer member with protions cut away to illustrate details;

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary isometric view illustrating a fixed frame assembly incorporating the closure spacer member of this invention;

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary cross-sectional view taken along the line 5--5 of FIG. 4, illustrating the present spacer member installed in the fixed frame assembly of FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is a fragmentary cross-sectional view, similar to FIG. 5, illustrating detachment of a sealing lip of the present spacer member;

FIG. 7 is a fragmentary cross-sectional view, similar to FIG. 5, illustrating the fixed frame assembly with a permanent weather sealant installed;

FIG. 8 is a fragmentary cross-sectional view, similar to FIG. 5, illustrating the present closure spacer member used in conjunction with a decorative panel;

FIGS. 9, 11 and 13 are cross-sectional views, similar to FIG. 2, illustrating alternative embodiments of the present closure spacer member;

FIGS. 10, 12 and 14 are fragmentary cross-sectional views, similar to FIG. 5, illustrating fixed frame assemblies incorporating the closure spacer members of FIGS. 9, 11 and 13, respectively; and

FIG. 15 is a fragmentary cross-sectional view illustrating detachment of a sealing lip of the spacer member of FIG. 14.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT(S)

FIGS. 1, 2 and 3 illustrate a closure spacer member 10 comprising a spacer element 11 and a sealing lip 12 which is connected to the spacer element 11 along a relatively narrow common region 13. In the preferred arrangement, the spacer member 10 is extruded from a resilient substance, such as rubber or plastic, whereby the sealing lip 12 may be detached by tearing along the common region 13, as illustrated in FIG. 1. As the sealing lip 12 is detached, a ragged edge or strip 14 (FIG. 1) is presented by the spacer element 11.

The spacer member 10 may be provided with an attaching lug 19 which extends along the length of the spacer element 11 and which is spaced-apart from the sealing lip 12. The attaching lug 19 serves to connect the spacer element 11 to a perimeter retainer bead thereby to resist removal of the spacer element 11 during detachment of the sealing lip 12, as will be described.

FIG. 4 illustrates a typical fixed frame assembly 20 wherein a closure such as a glazing pane 21 is retained within a perimeter frame 22. As best shown in FIG. 5, the perimeter frame 22 includes exterior and interior perimeter retainer beads 23, 24, respectively. The perimeter retainer beads 23, 24 present inner perimeter faces 25, 26 respectively.

The glazing pane 21 is positioned between the perimeter retainer beads 23, 24 and is supported by two or more stop members 27. A resilient sealing strip 28 is interposed between the interior perimeter retainer bead 24 and the glazing pane 21.

In accordance with the present invention, the spacer member 10 is placed between confronting faces 29, 30 presented by the glazing pane 21 and one of the perimeter retainer beads, for example, the exterior perimeter retainer bead 23. The spacer member 10 may be attached to the exterior retainer bead 23 by introducing the attaching lug 19 into a groove 31 provided in the exterior perimeter retainer bead 23. The spacer member 10 extends along substantially the entire length of the inner perimeter face 25 with the sealing lip 12 exposed to view.

It will be observed in FIG. 6 that as the sealing lip 12 is detached from the spacer element 11, a sealant receiving perimeter recess 32 is exposed. The perimeter recess 32 is defined by the spacer element 11 and the confronting faces 29, 30 of the glazing pane 21 and the exterior perimeter retainer bead 23. It will also be observed in FIG. 6 that the ragged edge or strip 14 created by detaching the sealing lip 11 is presented by the spacer element 11 at the perimeter recess 32.

Returning now to FIG. 5, it will be observed that the sealing lip 12 temporarily fills the sealant receiving perimeter recess 32 until such time as a permanent weather sealant is to be installed. At a later date, perhaps months later in some cases, the glazier may detach the sealing lip 12 by hand (FIG. 6) from the spacer element 11. Alternatively, the glazier may employ a suitable tool, such as a pair of pliers 33 (FIG. 4) to detach the sealing lip 12. When the sealing lip 12 is completely removed, a completely clean sealant receiving perimeter recess 32 is presented. The glazier is able to quickly apply a weather sealant 34 (FIG. 7) to completely seal the perimeter recess 32. It will be appreciated that the present spacer member 10 avoids the necessity of expensive cleaning operations which would be required if, as in the past, the sealant receiving perimeter recess 32 was left unprotected from the time the closure was initially installed until the weather sealant was to be applied.

It will be appreciated that the positions of the resilient sealing strip 28 and the present spacer member 10 (FIG. 5) may be reversed thereby positioning the present spacer member between the glazing pane 21 and the interior perimeter retainer bead 24. Alternatively, the resilient ceiling strip 28 may be replaced by one of the present spacer members 10.

It will also be appreciated that the present spacer 10 may also be employed in fixed frame assemblies which incorporate decorative closures such as the insulated panel 18 (FIG. 8).

The configuration and use of alternative embodiments of the present closure spacer member are illustrated in FIGS. 9 through 15. Corresponding numerals will be employed to identify corresponding parts heretofore described.

FIG. 9 illustrates a spacer member 35 having a relatively large lug 36 extending laterally of the spacer element 11. The lug 36 may extend continuously along the length of the spacer member 35. Alternatively, short lengths of the lug 36 may be provided at longitudinally spaced locations along the length of the spacer element 11. When the spacer member 35 is installed (FIG. 10) the lug 36 engages the perimeter edge 37 of the closure 21. In this embodiment, the lug 36 maintains the closure 21 spaced from the fixed frame assembly 20. No stop members 27 (FIG. 5) are needed in the FIG. 10 arrangement. It will also be observed in FIG. 10 that the lug 36 serves an additional function. That is, by engaging the perimeter edge 37 of the closure 21, the lug 36 resists inadvertent removal of the spacer element 11 during detachment of the sealing lip 12.

FIG. 11 illustrates a spacer member 38 having a relatively narrow lug 39 extending laterally of the spacer element 11. The lug 39 may extend continuously along the length of the spacer element 11 or may be provided in short lengths which are spaced along the length of the spacer element 11. When the spacer member 38 is installed (FIG. 12) the lug 39 engages the perimeter edge 37 of the closure 21. Thus engaged, the lug 39 resists inadvertent removal of the spacer element 11 during detachment of the sealing lip 12.

FIG. 13 illustrates a spacer member 40 having a relatively thin lifting strip 41 extending substantially the entire length of the sealing lip 12. The lifting strip 41 is formed integrally with the top of the sealing lip 12 and extends laterally thereof in the same direction as the attaching lug 19. The lifting strip 41 serves two important functions which will hereinafter be described. In this embodiment, the sealing lip is connected to the spacer element along the relatively narrow commmon region 13 and along a second relatively narrow common region 42.

FIG. 14 illustrates the spacer member 40 installed between the closure 21 and the exterior perimeter retainer bead 24. It will be observed that the lifting strip 41 overlies and protects that portion of the inner perimeter face 25 of the retainer bead 24 which is adjacent to the sealing lip 12. Hence the first important function of the lifting strip 41 is that it precludes the accumulation of unwanted dust, moisture and the like on the inner perimeter edge 25.

It will be observed in FIG. 15 that the sealing lip 12 may be detached from the spacer element 11 by grasping and pulling the lifting strip 41 anywhere along the length of the spacer member 40. Thus the second important function of the lifting strip 41 is that it provides a means by which the sealing lip 12 may be detached from the spacer element 11 without the aid of special or conventional tools.

Claims

I claim:

1. In a fixed frame assembly having exterior and interior perimeter retainer beads presenting inner perimeter faces and a closure disposed therebetween, the improvement comprising:

a spacer member disposed between the said closure and one perimeter retainer bead, the said spacer member comprising

a spacer element having opposite faces engaged with the said closure and the said one perimeter retainer bead, the said spacer element being outwardly offset from the inner perimeter face of the said one perimeter retainer bead to provide a perimeter recess; and

a sealing lip detachably connected to the said spacer element, the said sealing lip filling the said perimeter recess and extending along the entire length thereof, the said sealing lip serving as a temporary seal.

2. The improvement of claim 1 wherein the said sealing lip and the said spacer element are formed as an integral unit.

3. The improvement of claim 2 wherein the said spacer member is formed from a resilient substance to facilitate separation of the said sealing lip from the said spacer element.

4. The improvement of claim 1 wherein the said sealing lip is provided with an integral lifting strip which overlies the inner perimeter face of the said one perimeter retainer bead.

5. The improvement of claim 1 including

means for connecting the said spacer element to the said fixed frame assembly thereby to resist inadvertent removal of the said spacer element from the said perimeter recess during detachment of the said sealing lip.

6. In the method of erecting a fixed frame assembly wherein a closure is positioned between exterior and interior perimeter retainer beads, each of the said perimeter retainer beads presenting an inner perimeter face, the steps of:

positioning a spacer member comprising a spacer element and a sealing lip detachably connected thereto, between confronting faces of the said closure and one perimeter retainer bead, said spacer member extending along substantially the entire perimeter of the said one perimeter retainer bead with the said sealing lip exposed at the inner perimeter face of the said one perimeter retainer bead, said sealing lip serving as a temporary seal until such time as sealant is to be installed;

at a later time detaching the said sealing lip from the said spacer element to expose a perimeter recess defined by the said spacer element and the confronting faces of the said closure and the said one perimeter retainer bead; and

filling the said perimeter recess with a sealant.

7. The method of claim 6 wherein the said sealing lip and the said spacer element are formed as an integral unit from a resilient substance whereby the said sealing lip comprises a tear-away lip.

8. The method of claim 6 wherein the said spacer member is connected to the said one perimeter retainer bead, whereby during detachment of the said sealing lip, inadvertent removal of the said spacer element from the said perimeter recess is prevented.

9. The method of claim 6 wherein the said spacer member includes a lug engaging the perimeter edge of the said closure, whereby during detachment of the said sealing lip, inadvertent removal of the said spacer element from the said perimeter groove is prevented.

10. The method of claim 6 wherein the said sealing lip includes an integral lifting strip overlying the inner perimeter face of the said one perimeter retainer bead to facilitate detachment of the said sealing lip from the said spacer member.