U.S. patent number RE35,291 [Application Number 08/059,072] was granted by the patent office on 1996-07-09 for apparatus for laying strip on glass or like material.
This patent grant is currently assigned to Tremco, Inc.. Invention is credited to Luc Lafond.
United States Patent |
RE35,291 |
Lafond |
July 9, 1996 |
Apparatus for laying strip on glass or like material
Abstract
The disclosure herein describes an apparatus for laying an
adhesive strip along the peripheral edges of a glass sheet
positioned on a work table with a view to forming a double-glazed
insulated glass panel. The apparatus comprises a handle with a
housing mounted at one end thereof and includes therein a series of
rollers for positioning and laying the adhesive strip on the glass
sheet. A third roller, whose axis is perpendicular to the axis of
each of the strip-laying rollers, applies pressure to the strip
being laid.
Inventors: |
Lafond; Luc (Toronto,
CA) |
Assignee: |
Tremco, Inc. (Beachwood,
OH)
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Family
ID: |
4138782 |
Appl.
No.: |
08/059,072 |
Filed: |
May 7, 1993 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
Issue Date |
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Reissue of: |
409717 |
Sep 20, 1989 |
05013377 |
May 7, 1991 |
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Foreign Application Priority Data
Current U.S.
Class: |
156/109; 156/391;
156/479; 156/574; 156/579; 29/235 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B29C
63/0026 (20130101); B29C 63/003 (20130101); E06B
3/6733 (20130101); E06B 2003/67378 (20130101); Y10T
156/18 (20150115); Y10T 156/1788 (20150115); Y10T
29/53657 (20150115) |
Current International
Class: |
B29C
63/00 (20060101); E06B 3/673 (20060101); E06B
3/66 (20060101); B32B 035/00 () |
Field of
Search: |
;156/109,391,479,574,579,486,107,523 ;29/235 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Foreign Patent Documents
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1234682 |
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Apr 1988 |
|
CA |
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0293302 |
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Nov 1988 |
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EP |
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2555384 |
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Jun 1976 |
|
DE |
|
2808004 |
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Aug 1978 |
|
DE |
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8600068 U |
|
Mar 1986 |
|
DE |
|
0753585 |
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Aug 1980 |
|
SU |
|
Other References
Copending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 07/363,510. .
Photographs of Muntin Alignment Table of Product Design &
Development of York Pennsylvania. .
"Swiggle Strip for Insulating Glass," Tremco Ltd. (date unknown).
.
"Notice Technique--ligne double vitrage," Societe Atlantique de
Materiels Applicques a la Produciton (Mar. 1987). .
"Tous Vitrages Isolants" (Sep. 1986). .
Photographs of Hand-held insulating strip applcator of Quelen of
France. .
Photographs of Hand-held insulating strip applcator known as
"Rivers" applicator. .
Photographs of equipment for automatically applying a strip to
glass which is believed to have been manufactured in West Germany
and sold in Canada in 1983 or 1984. .
Notice de Reglage de L'Applicateur Manuel Swiggle 4485 believed to
be available in France in 1985. .
Photographs of applicator device made by Andal in 1988 or
1989..
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Primary Examiner: Ball; Michael W.
Assistant Examiner: Lorin; Francis J.
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Dureska; David P. Freeman; John C.
Douglas; Earl M.
Claims
I claim:
1. Apparatus for laying an adhesive strip along the peripheral
edges of a glass sheet or other member resting on a work table,
comprising:
a handle;
first support means at one end of said handle including means for
contacting said work table;
a housing mounted at the opposite end of said handle;
a second support means mounted to said housing including means for
contacting the work table; and
strip receiving and applying means operatively associated with said
housing and including:
first roller means contacting said strip on one side thereof;
pressure roller means contacting said strip along a top edge
thereof and applying pressure thereon as it is being laid on the
member; and
further roller means adapted to cooperate with said first roller
means and said pressure roller means for applying said strip at
said peripheral edges and at corners of said glass sheet.
2. An apparatus as defined in claim 1, further comprising means on
said housing for adjusting the height of said pressure roller means
for various strip heights.
3. An apparatus as defined in claim 1, further comprising guide
means mounted to said second support means of said housing and
disposed on either side of said first roller means; said guide
means including side surfaces adapted to contact the .[.side.].
.Iadd.peripheral .Iaddend.edge of said member.
4. An apparatus as defined in claim 3, said guide means are
removably mounted to said second support means.
5. An apparatus as defined in claim 3, wherein said second support
means includes a base portion having an opening receiving said
first roller means therein and wherein said guide means include a
base plate secured to said base portion and having an opening
therein substantially in registry with the opening of said base
portion; said first roller means having a lower face extending in a
plane slightly above a plane including a bottom wall of said base
plate.
6. An apparatus as defined in claim 5, further comprising means for
adjusting the height of said first roller means in said openings
for various member thicknesses.
7. An apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein said first roller
means and said further roller means each have a central axis
parallel to one another and said pressure roller means have a
freely rotating central axis perpendicular to both said parallel
axes.
8. An apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein said first roller
means, said pressure roller means and said further roller means are
made of plastic material.
9. An apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein said handle is
slightly downwardly inclined from said one end to said housing.
10. A tool for applying a strip of material to a surface of a
member, adjacent to the periphery thereof, said member supported on
a support surface, the tool comprising: an elongate base member;
means for slidably supporting said base member on said support
surface; guide means for guiding said base member along a
peripheral edge of said member; a body supported on said base
member, spaced therefrom for gripping by an operator; a housing at
a front end of said body; at least one roller mounted in said
housing for rotation about generally vertical axes, said at least
one roller being spaced .Iadd.apart from said peripheral edge of
said member .Iaddend.at a distance slightly greater than the width
of said strip in a direction .[.normal.]. .Iadd.transverse
.Iaddend.to .[.the.]. .Iadd.a .Iaddend.longitudinal axis of said
base member; a further roller positioned proximate said at least
one roller and mounted for rotation about a generally horizontal
axis, extending transversely at said base member, pivoted from a
first, withdrawn position to a second, corner engaging position,
said base member pivotable about a corner .Iadd.of said
member.Iaddend..
11. A tool as claimed in claim 10, said means for slidably
supporting said base member comprising .Iadd.base supporting
.Iaddend.rollers mounted on opposite side edges of said base
member.
12. A tool as claimed in claim 11, including one of said .Iadd.base
supporting .Iaddend.rollers .Iadd.being located .Iaddend.on the
side edge adjacent to said peripheral edge of said member, and two
of said .Iadd.base supporting .Iaddend.rollers, spaced apart along
the side edge remote from said peripheral edge.
13. A tool as claimed in claim 10, said guide means comprising a
plurality of rollers mounted on a bottom surface of said base
member, for rotation about axes normal to .[.the.]. .Iadd.a
.Iaddend.plane .[.of.]. .Iadd.parallel to .Iaddend.said base
member.
14. A tool as claimed in claim 10, said at least one roller mounted
for rotation about an axis inclined upwardly and forwardly, to
provide a forward and downward .[.reaction.]. .Iadd.push
.Iaddend.on said strip.
15. A tool as claimed in claim 14, said body inclined forwardly and
downwardly corresponding to the inclination of said at least one
roller.
16. A tool as claimed in claim 10, including a corner location
member pivotally mounted on said base member for engagement with a
corner of said member.
17. A tool as claimed in claim 16, said corner location member
including an arm for moving beyond said base member for engagement
with said base member at said corner, for locating said base member
relative to said corner.
18. A hand-held apparatus for laying an adhesive strip on the
surface of a glass sheet or other member, said member having a
surface and an edge and resting on a work table, comprising:
a frame;
means attached to the frame for directing the adhesive strip onto
the surface of the member; and
a guide attached to the frame and configured to guide said
directing means a predetermined distance from the edge of the
member, said guide maintaining rolling contact with and being
supported by the work table.
19. A hand-held apparatus for laying an adhesive strip on the
surface of a glass sheet or other member as defined in claim 18,
wherein said guide comprises a first roller which maintains rolling
contact .Iadd.with .Iaddend.the work table and a second roller
which maintains rolling contact with the member.
20. A hand-held apparatus for laying an adhesive strip on the
surface of a glass sheet or other member, said member having a
surface and an edge and resting on a work table, comprising:
a frame;
means attached to the frame for directing the adhesive strip onto
the surface of the member; and
a guide attached to the frame and configured to guide said
directing means a predetermined distance from the edge of the
member, said guide maintaining rolling contact with the edge of the
member and being supported by the work table.
21. An apparatus for laying an adhesive strip on the surface of a
glass sheet or other member, comprising:
a frame;
a handle attached to said frame; and
a first and a second guide roller mounted to said frame between
which the adhesive strip may pass when being applied to the member,
said guide rollers mounted for rotation about axes inclined
forwardly from generally vertical axes whereby the adhesive strip
is pushed down into contact with the surface of the member.
22. An apparatus for laying an adhesive strip on the surface of a
glass sheet or other member as defined in claim 21, further
comprising a pressure roller which contacts the adhesive strip
along a top edge thereof and applies pressure thereon as it is
being laid on the member.
23. An apparatus for laying an adhesive strip on the surface of a
glass sheet or other member, said member having an edge and an
interior portion, comprising:
a frame;
a handle attached to said frame;
a guide roller mounted to said frame for rotation about a generally
vertical axis;
a cornering roller mounted to said frame such that the adhesive
strip may pass between said cornering roller and said guide roller
when being applied to the member, said guide roller positioned on
the side of the adhesive strip towards the edge of the member and
said cornering roller positioned on the side of the adhesive strip
towards the interior portion of the member; and
means for directing the adhesive strip onto the member.
24. An apparatus for laying an adhesive strip on the surface of a
glass sheet or other member as defined in claim 23, wherein said
cornering roller has a diameter smaller than the diameter of said
guide roller.
25. An apparatus for laying an adhesive strip on the surface of a
glass sheet or other member as defined in claim 23, wherein
.Iadd.said frame has a rearward portion and a forward portion and
said cornering roller and said guide roller are generally mounted
at the forward portion of the frame and .Iaddend.said cornering
roller is mounted rearwardly from said guide roller.
26. An apparatus for laying an adhesive strip on the surface of a
glass sheet or other member, said member having .Iadd.an edge and
.Iaddend.a corner, comprising:
a frame;
means attached to said frame for directing the strip .[.of
material.]. onto the surface of the member;
a guide for positioning said directing means a predetermined
distance from the edge of the member; and
a corner locator attached to said frame, said corner locator
capable of movement between a first position and a second position
such that said corner locator may be biased against the member to
locate the corner of the member.
27. An apparatus for laying an adhesive strip on the surface of a
glass sheet or other member as defined as claim 26, wherein said
corner locator is pivotally mounted about a pivot point.
28. An apparatus for laying an adhesive strip on the surface of a
glass sheet or other member as defined as claim 26, wherein said
guide maintains rolling contact with the edge of the member.
29. An apparatus for laying an adhesive strip on the surface of a
glass sheet or other member as defined as claim 26, wherein said
corner locator is biased against the member.
30. A method for applying a flexible adhesive strip onto the
surface of an article resting on a work table, the flexible
adhesive strip being applied a predetermined distance from
.[.the.]. .Iadd.an .Iaddend.edge of the article with a tool having
a frame, means attached to the frame for directing the adhesive
strip onto the surface of the article, a first guide capable of
contact with the edge of the article and a second guide capable of
contact with the work table, comprising the steps of:
placing the article on the work table such that the work table
extends beyond the edge of the article; and
applying the flexible adhesive strip to the surface of the article,
said applying step comprising the steps of:
directing the adhesive strip onto the surface of the .[.tool.].
.Iadd.article .Iaddend.with the directing means; and
advancing the tool along the edge of the article with the first
guide maintaining contact with the edge of the article and with the
second .[.roller.]. .Iadd.guide .Iaddend.maintaining contact with
the work table. .Iadd.
31. A tool for applying a strip of material to a surface of a
member, adjacent to a peripheral edge thereof, said member
supported on a work table, the tool comprising:
an elongated base member;
means for slidably supporting said base member by said work
table;
guide means for guiding said base member along the peripheral edge
of said member;
a body supported on said base member, spaced therefrom for gripping
by an operator, said body having an air inlet port that supplies
air to said body, said supplied air aiding in the applying of said
strip of material to said surface of said member;
a housing associated with said body;
means associated with said body for directing the adhesive strip
onto the surface of the member. .Iaddend. .Iadd.
32. The tool of claim 31 wherein said body further includes a
manually operable lever which allows access to air from said air
inlet port. .Iaddend. .Iadd.33. An apparatus for laying an adhesive
strip on the surface of a glass sheet or other member, said member
having a surface and an edge and resting on a work table
comprising:
a frame including a handle having an air inlet port that supplies
air to said frame, said supplied air aiding in the applying of said
adhesive strip to said surface of said glass sheet or other
member;
said frame and said member are supported on said work table
means attached to the frame for directing the adhesive strip onto
the surface of the member; and
a guide attached to the frame and configured to guide said
directing means a predetermined distance from the edge of the
member, said guide
maintaining contact with the edge of the member. .Iaddend.
.Iadd.34. The apparatus of claim 33 wherein said frame includes a
housing, and said frame further includes a manually operable lever
which allows access to air from said air inlet port. .Iaddend.
.Iadd.35. An apparatus for laying an adhesive strip on the surface
of a glass sheet or other member, said member having an edge and a
corner, comprising:
a frame having an air inlet port that supplies air to said frame,
said supplied air aiding in the applying of said adhesive strip to
said surface of said glass sheet or other member;
means attached to said frame for directing the strip of material
onto the surface of the member;
a guide for positioning said directing means a predetermined
distance from the edge of the member; and
a corner locator attached to said frame, said corner locator
capable of movement between a first position and a second position
such that said corner locator may be biased against the member to
locate the corner of the member. .Iaddend. .Iadd.36. The apparatus
of claim 35 wherein said frame includes a housing, and said frame
further includes a manually operable lever which allows access to
air from said air inlet port.
.Iaddend. .Iadd.37. An apparatus for laying an adhesive strip on
the surface of a glass sheet or other member, said member having a
surface and an edge and resting on a work table, comprising:
a base member capable of being supported by said work table;
a body which is mounted on the base member, said body extending in
a direction substantially parallel to said edge of said member and
being adapted to be gripped by the hand of an operator, said body
having an air inlet port that supplies air to said body, said
supplied air aiding in the applying of said adhesive strip to said
surface of said glass sheet or other member;
means attached to the body for directing the adhesive strip onto
the surface of the member; and
a guide attached to the base member and configured to guide said
directing means a predetermined distance from the edge of the
member, said guide maintaining contact with said edge. .Iaddend.
.Iadd.38. The apparatus of claim 37 wherein a housing is associated
with said body, and said body further includes a manually operable
lever which allows access to air from
said air inlet port. .Iaddend. .Iadd.39. The apparatus of claim 37
further comprising strip receiving and applying means operatively
associated with said body, said strip receiving and applying means
defining an adhesive strip passageway having a fixed width.
.Iaddend. .Iadd.40. The apparatus of claim 37 further comprising
strip receiving and applying means operatively associated with said
body, including a first and second roller for contacting said strip
on opposite sides, said rollers being fixed in a substantially
parallel position relative to one another to define an adhesive
strip passageway having a fixed width. .Iaddend.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an apparatus for laying an
adhesive strip along the peripheral edges of a glass sheet or other
member positioned on a work table with a view to forming a
double-glazed insulated glass panel.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
One conventional method of making a double-glazed insulated glass
panel consists of manually applying an adhesive strip along the
peripheral edges of a glass sheet and then positioning a second
glass thereupon to form the panel.
One type of strip used in this assembly is the one known under the
trademark "Swiggle Strip", which is an extruded butyl-based
material of a thermo-plastic compound which contains a corrugated
aluminum spacer and molecular sieve desiccant. The corrugation,
which extends in a plane perpendicular to that of the glass sheets,
lends strength to the spacer to withstand forces which the glass
sheets would receive during fabrication, shipping, glazing and
servicing. In comparison with other glass panel units which use
spacers, corner keys and desiccant, the application of an extruded
butyl-based strip allows a continuous strip to be applied along all
the sides of the panels uninterruptedly, including the corners.
However, the manual application of a continuous strip to the glass
sheet requires considerable ability on the part of the installer,
especially at the corners.
OBJECT AND STATEMENT OF THE INVENTION
It is an object of the present invention to provide a tool which
will allow for an easy application of the adhesive strip along the
peripheral edges of a glass sheet.
In one embodiment of the present invention, there is provided a
tool for applying a strip of material to a surface of a glass sheet
or other member adjacent to the periphery thereof, wherein the
glass sheet is adapted to be supported on a support surface. In
this embodiment, the tool comprises means for slidably supporting a
base member of the tool on a support surface; guide means for
guiding the base member along a peripheral edge of the glass pane
or member; a body supported on the base member, and at least one
roller means associated with the tool for guiding a strip of
material around corners of the glass sheet or other member.
This is achieved in one embodiment by providing an apparatus which
comprises, in its broadest aspect, a handle; first support means at
one end of the handle, including means for contacting the work
table on which a glass sheet is positioned; a housing mounted at
the opposite end of the handle; second support means mounted to the
housing, including means for contacting the work table; and strip
receiving and applying means operatively associated with the
housing, including roller means contacting one side of the strip to
be laid; roller means contacting the strip along the top edge
thereof and applying pressure thereon as it is being laid on the
glass sheet; and means adapted to cooperate with the roller means
for applying the strip at corners of the glass sheet.
In a preferred form of the invention, adjusting means are provided
for varying the roller means for different sizes of strips or
varying tolerances between the side of the glass sheet and the
strip.
In a particularly preferred form of operation, a pivoted latch
member is engaged with the corner of the member when a corner is
reached, and acts as a pivot or hinge for movement of the base
member around the corner, without removing the tool from the
working surface, the strip being bend and applied at the corner.
The tool is then used to continue application of the strip along
another length of the edge.
To assist in maintaining a positive application pressure, and to
facilitate movement around corners, the device most desirably uses
means for positioning the strip which has a downward sliding action
as well as a forward one. In a particularly preferred arrangement,
the means for positioning the strip comprises at least one roller,
having an axis extending upward, with a slight inclined and forward
position in the direction of the movement of the tool in
combination with means for positioning the strip.
Other objects and further scope of applicability of the present
invention will become apparent from the detailed description given
hereinafter. It should be understood, however, that this detailed
description, while indicating preferred embodiments of the
invention, is given by way of illustration only, since various
changes and modifications within the spirit and scope of the
invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
In the drawings:
FIG. 1 is a top perspective view showing one embodiment of the
apparatus of the present invention during the application of a
strip on a glass sheet positioned on a work table;
FIG. 2 is a side elevational view of the housing portion of the
apparatus and its support means:
FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the housing, partly sectioned, and
shows the various drive mechanisms for operating the rollers
mounted to the housing:
FIG. 4 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the three
rollers;
FIG. 5 is a perspective view, with parts broken away, showing a
glass panel made in accordance with the present invention;
FIG. 6 is a side view of a tool in accordance with another
embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 7 is a side view of the other side of the tool in FIG. 6;
FIG. 8 is a bottom plan view in the direction of arrow A in FIG.
6;
FIG. 9 is an end view in the direction of arrow B in FIG. 6;
FIG. 9a illustrates the positioning of the tool relative to an
article;
FIG. 10 is a partial view, similar to that of FIG. 6, illustrating
a modification;
FIG. 11 is a bottom view, similar to that of FIG. 8, illustrating
addition of a corner location member, in withdrawn position;
FIG. 12 is a view similar to FIG. 11, with the corner location
member in an engaging position; and
FIG. 13 is a side view, similar to that of FIG. 7, showing the
corner location member.
DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, there is shown a glass sheet 10 placed
on a work table 12 so that an adhesive strip 14 may be laid along
the peripheral edges thereof.
The apparatus of the present invention, generally denoted 16,
comprises a horizontally extending handle 18 displaying a
cylindrical body having at one end thereof an inlet port 20 for
connection to an air supply (not shown) through appropriate conduit
22. This end of the handle 18 is supported by a vertically
extending element 24, equipped at the lower end thereof with a
roller 26 adapted to roll along the work table 12. A manually
operable lever 28 allows access of air from the supply source to a
housing 30 mounted to the opposite end of the handle 18.
Housing 30 is supported on the work table 12 by a vertically
extending element 32 that has a base portion 34 and a roller 36 for
rolling on and thereby contacting the work table 12. Relative
positioning of the housing 30 on the element 32 is accomplished by
means of a nut 38 adapted to slide in a vertical slot 40.
Referring more particularly to FIG. 3, three rollers 42, 44, 46 are
mounted to housing 30 and together combine for the application of
the adhesive 14 along the peripheral edges of the glass sheet 10.
Rollers 42 and 46 have parallel vertically extending axes which are
rotatably driven by the air supplied through the handle 18 while
roller 44, the axis of which extends perpendicular to the axes of
rollers 42 and 46, is freely rotatable. Roller 42 is mounted on a
shaft 48 which is connected to a drive gear arrangement 50, 52,
while roller 46 is driven by means of second gear arrangement 54,
56, receiving torque from shaft 48. Shaft 60 transmits this torque
to the roller 46.
The shaft (not shown) of the roller 44 is supported by a side
member 62 of the housing 30. The height of roller 44 may be
adjusted by means of plate 64 having fastening means 66 slidably
mounted in slots 68.
A base plate 70 is secured by means of screws 72 to the base
portion 34 of the housing. The base plate 70 has a pair of side
faces 74 and 76 which are adapted to contact the side edge of a
glass sheet. The base portion 34 as well as the base plate 70 each
have a central opening through which extends the roller 42. The
bottom wall 78 of the roller 42 extends in a plane which extends
slightly above the bottom wall of the base plate 70; the space
between the bottom walls corresponds substantially to the thickness
of the glass sheet 10 with a small tolerance, so that the bottom
wall 78 is slightly above the top face of the glass sheet 10. For
various thicknesses of glass, the height of roller 42 is adjusted
by means of a chuck collet 80 mounted to the shaft 48. The bottom
wall 82 of roller 46 extends in the same plane as that of the
bottom wall 78 of roller 42.
In operation, the strip 14 is applied to the top face of glass
sheet 10 by inserting the strip 14 between rollers 42, 44 and 46.
Roller 42 is the main drive roller while roller 44 serves to apply
a pressure on the strip 14 to secure it to the glass sheet. Roller
46, named the cornering roller, is used principally when, during
the application of the adhesive strip 14, a corner of the glass
sheet is reached. The main drive roller 42 is rendered idle during
the cornering operation. Referring to FIG. 4, the idling is
achieved by means of element 84 which blocks rotation of shaft
48.
Referring to FIG. 5, the assembled glass panel 86 is shown
consisting of a pair of glass sheets 10 and 10' with the adhesive
strip 14 extending between the peripheral edges thereof and
securing same together. As indicated above, a preferred adhesive
strip is the one known under the trademark "Swiggle Strip", which
is formed of an extruded butyl-based strip, and contains a
corrugated aluminum spacer 88 to withstand the forces applied
perpendicularly to the planes of the glass sheets 10 and 10'.
Preferably, the three rollers 42, 44 and 46 are made of plastic
material, while the base plate 70 (including its side faces 74 and
76) is preferably made of nylon.
In the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 6 to 9, a tool comprises a
base member 110 which is supported from a support surface by
rollers 111. Mounted on the base member 110 by supports 112 and 113
is a body 114 adapted to be gripped by the hand of an operator.
At the forward end of the body is a housing 115 and extending from
the bottom of the housing, being rotatably supported therein, are
two rollers 116 and 117, and rollers 116 and 117 rotating about
axes which are generally vertical, although, as described later,
some departure from the vertical can be provided. Rollers 116 and
117 are spaces apart laterally, in a direction normal to the length
of the base member 110, to define an area where a strip of material
travels. Positioned between the rollers 116 and 117 is a further,
thin roller 118, rotatably mounted in the housing 115 for rotation
about a generally horizontal axis extending transversely.
Mounted on the bottom surface of the base member 110 are rollers
120. These rollers rotate about vertical axes and position the tool
relative to the edge of the article onto which the strip is to be
applied, for example, a sheet of glass 125. This can be seen in
FIG. 9a, in which a sheet of glass 125 is shown, supported on a
support member 126. The rollers 120 position the tool, and thus,
the rollers 116 and 117, relative to the edge 127 of the glass or
other member 125. If desired, the rollers 120 can be positioned so
that a strip is positioned on the member 125 with its outer surface
aligned with the edge 127, or preferably positioned a small
distance inward or outward from the edge 127. It will be understood
that the strip may be applied so as to overlie the edge where it is
desired to use the strip in conjunction with a further component or
device for sealing the edge of a window. Alternatively, the
position of the rollers 116 and 117 relative to the rollers 120 can
be determined so as to position the strip as desired relative to
the edge 127.
Rollers 116 and 117 are usually positioned apart very slightly more
than the width of a strip, and they may be positioned less than the
thickness of the strip to provide a compression force to the strip.
The roller 118 is positioned from the top surface 130 of the member
125 such that it presses down slightly on the strip to ensure
adhesion to the member 125. A strip is shown in dotted outline at
131 in FIG. 9a.
The strip is initially positioned with its end on the glass pane or
other member 125. The front of the tool is applied to the edge 127
of the glass 125 and moved along the edge 127 of the member 125,
the rollers 116 and 117 engaging over the end of the strip, and
then continuing to guide the strip relative to the edge 127, a
roller 118 pressing the strip into firm contact therewith.
It is an advantage to have the rollers 116 and 117 inclined at a
very small angle, as viewed from the side. This is illustrated in
FIG. 10. In FIG. 10, the front end of the tool would be to the
right, so that the rollers 116 and 117 have a forward and inclined
position. This assists in pushing the strip down into contact with
the surface of the article. This inclination is conveniently
obtained by inclining the body 114, as indicated in dotted outline
in FIG. 6. This also helps to overcome any tendency of the tool to
lift at the front.
At the corners of a rectangular or other polygonal shape, it is
necessary to bend the strip. Previously, this has been done by
hand, usually by lifting the tool up and bending and pressing down
the strip, followed by repositioning of the tool, the next length
of edge then being traversed.
In the present arrangement, a member which locates the tool
relative to a corner is provided. This is illustrated particularly
in FIGS. 11 and 12, and also in FIG. 13. In FIG. 11, a corner
location member 135 is shown in its withdrawn or normal position.
The member 135 comprises two flanges 136 and 137 at right angles,
the member being pivotally mounted at 138, on the base member 110,
at a rear inner corner of the flange 136 but this may be varied as
desired.
The member 135 is biased to the withdrawn position by a spring 145.
At the front edge of flange 136, there extends an arm 139 which
extends first forwardly, and then sideways, finishing in a hooked
formation 140. Normally the member 135 and its flange 137 are as
shown in FIG. 11, with the hooked formation 140 withdrawn out of
contact with the glass or other member 125. On approaching a
corner, the member 137 (FIG. 13) is pushed so that the member 135
moves forward, thereby engaging the hooked formation 140 with the
edge 127 of the glass or other member 125, as illustrated in FIG.
12. Once the tool reaches the corner, the hooked formation 140
passes the corner, extending outwardly, and the hooked formation
140 is then out of contact with the edge 127 of the glass 125. The
tool is then pivoted around the corner, the roller 116 acting as a
pivot point and being held in a band of the strip. The hooked
formation 140 and the front roller 120, which have initially passed
the corner and are out of contact with the edge 127 of the glass
125, are moved around into subsequent contact with the next edge
127 of the glass 125. The flange 137 is then released, allowing
member 135 and hooked formation 140 to retract. The next two
rollers 120 move out of contact with the glass edge 127 to which
the strip has been applied, and become aligned with the next edge,
moving into contact with the next edge of the glass 125. A slight
backward movement of the tool causes the hooked formation 140 to
engage with the glass 125, as shown in FIG. 12. Pressure is then
briefly exerted on the body 114 of the tool in order to ensure that
the strip is firmly applied at the corner of the glass or other
member 125. The strip is pulled lightly, preferably at an angle
relative to the next edge 127 of the glass 125, then generally
aligned with the next edge 127. Once the tool has been thus
positioned relative to the corner, the glass 125 is moved around to
bring the next edge length to the front so that the tool may
subsequently progress along the next edge 127.
While the tool has been described as being used for polygonal
shaped panes, or other members, it can also be used to apply strip
to curved edges or peripheries. For effective positioning of the
strip, it would be useful to stretch the strip slightly as it is
applied. If the strip is not stretched, the outer surface will be
under tension as it will take a longer path than the inner surface,
and gradually this will cause the strip to move inwards slightly.
This can be overcome by an initial stretching, as by providing a
suitably inclined roller.
It will also be appreciated that the edge 127 of the pane of glass
or other member 125 need not be at right angles to the surface of
the member. If, for any reason, the glass edge 127 is bevelled,
then the rollers 120 may, if desired, have a peripheral profile to
match. The tool is also equally application to members 125 having
rounded edges 127.
If desired, a power drive can be provided for one or more of the
rollers 111, rollers 120, or a combination thereof. Power drive can
also be applied to the rollers 116, 117 and 118.
While the invention has been described in relation to the applying
of a strip to flat members, that is, flat sheets or panes of glass,
the invention is also applicable to the application of a strip to
other forms. The strip itself can have different shapes.
For example, with domed skylights and the like, there is usually a
flat peripheral edge and a tool as described above can readily
apply a strip at the peripheral edge of such a member. Strip can
also be applied to surfaces which are inclined relative to the
support surfaces. Preferably the strip would be formed with a
contact surface which is inclined to match the inclination of the
surface to which it is to be applied. The relative length of the
rollers 116 and 117 would be different, and roller 117 may have to
be of a smaller diameter.
Although the invention has been described above in relation to
specific forms, it should be evident to the persons skilled in the
art that it may be modified and defined in various ways. It is
therefore wished to have it understood that the present invention
should not be limited in interpretation, except by the terms of the
following claims.
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