US3842567A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Multiple pane units
Assignee: AGC Glass Europe SA
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Filing: 1972-06-14
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Granted: 1974-10-22
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Expires: 1992-06-14
Abstract
Abstract The pressure of the gas filling the space between two panes of a multiple pane unit is established by placing the space in communication with an external source of pressure, which may be the surrounding environment, laterally deflecting the panes adjacent the space inwardly or outwardly by a predetermined amount sealing the space to isolate from the exterior and from the pressure source, and removing the lateral deflection forces.
Inventors
- 👤 J Zwart
- 👤 G Guens
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-30 06:12
CPC Classifications
E; E06; E06B; E06B3/00; E06B3/66; E06B3/677
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 13
Claim 1
Independent Claim
191 words
A method of conditioning the internal pressure in a multiple panel unit composed of at least two spaced sheets, each composed of glass, plastic or vitrocrystalline material, and sealing means which includes at least one spacer connected to margins of the sheets for enclosing the interior space between each adjacent pair of sheets, comprising temporarily exerting a flexing force on at least one of the sheets via mechanical means in contact with a face of such sheet constituting an external face of the unit, the force being directed toward the interior of the unit so as to reduce the volume of at least one interior space and, during the period of time for which such sheet is held elastically flexed, placing the at least one interior space in communication with a gaseous medium which is outside the unit under pressure and temperature conditions such that gaseous medium flows from the space to the region outside the unit to bring the pressure in the space to a required lower value, such communication being established at least during said step of exerting a flexing force, and terminating such communication before removing such force.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
191 words
A method of conditioning the internal pressure in a multiple panel unit composed of at least two spaced sheets, each composed of glass, plastic or vitrocrystalline material, and sealing means which includes at least one spacer connected to margins of the sheets for enclosing the interior space between each adjacent pair of sheets, comprising temporarily exerting a flexing force on at least one of the sheets via mechanical means in contact with a face of such sheet constituting an external face of the unit, the force being directed toward the interior of the unit so as to reduce the volume of at least one interior space and, during the period of time for which such sheet is held elastically flexed, placing the at least one interior space in communication with a gaseous medium which is outside the unit under pressure and temperature conditions such that gaseous medium flows from the space to the region outside the unit to bring the pressure in the space to a required lower value, such communication being established at least during said step of exerting a flexing force, and terminating such communication before removing such force.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
31 words
A method as defined in claim 1 wherein said step of exerting is carried out by simultaneously subjecting the external sheet faces of the unit to equal and oppositely directed forces.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
21 words
A method as defined in claim 1 wherein the gaseous medium outside the unit is the gaseous environment surrounding the unit.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
25 words
A method as defined in claim 1 wherein the spacer comprises at least one metal ribbon welded or soldered to metallized margins of the sheets.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
24 words
A method as defined in claim 1 wherein the communication with a gaseous medium outside the unit is established by piercing the sealing means.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
35 words
A method as defined in claim 5 wherein said step of terminating is carried out by closing the hole or holes pierced in the sealing means by applying molten material and allowing it to solidify.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
22 words
A method as defined in claim 1 wherein said steps are carried out while the unit is being transported by a conveyor.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
38 words
A method as defined in claim 1 for conditioning a plurality of such panel units simultaneously, comprising the step of assembling the units so that at least one sheet of each unit becomes flexed by the sheet-flexing force.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
13 words
A method as defined in claim 1 wherein the panel unit is light-transmitting.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
14 words
A method as defined in claim 1 wherein the unit is a glazing unit.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
151 words
Apparatus for use in conditioning the internal pressure in a multiple panel unit composed of at least two spaced sheets, each composed of glass, plastic or vitrocrystalline material, and sealing means enclosing the space between each adjacent pair of sheets, said apparatus comprising means for exerting a flexing force on at least one of the sheets of the unit and composed of a spindle with screw-threads of respectively opposite hand, a pair of movable means threadedly engaged with said threads, toggle links connected to said movable means so that when said spindle is rotated portions of said links move radially with respect to the axis of said spindle in a direction which depends on the direction in which said spindle is rotated, and means mounted at the pivot points of said toggle links midway between said movable means and arranged to make contact with such sheet for transmitting flexing forces thereto.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
151 words
Apparatus for use in conditioning the internal pressure in a multiple panel unit composed of at least two spaced sheets, each composed of glass, plastic or vitrocrystalline material, and sealing means enclosing the space between each adjacent pair of sheets, said apparatus comprising means for exerting a flexing force on at least one of the sheets of the unit and composed of a spindle with screw-threads of respectively opposite hand, a pair of movable means threadedly engaged with said threads, toggle links connected to said movable means so that when said spindle is rotated portions of said links move radially with respect to the axis of said spindle in a direction which depends on the direction in which said spindle is rotated, and means mounted at the pivot points of said toggle links midway between said movable means and arranged to make contact with such sheet for transmitting flexing forces thereto.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
No citation records indexed.
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1977-10-21 | 1978-04-22 | 1978-10-22 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-10-21 | 1982-04-22 | 1982-10-22 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-10-21 | 1986-04-22 | 1986-10-22 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |