CA2142234C - Center intersect - Google Patents
Center intersect Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- CA2142234C CA2142234C CA 2142234 CA2142234A CA2142234C CA 2142234 C CA2142234 C CA 2142234C CA 2142234 CA2142234 CA 2142234 CA 2142234 A CA2142234 A CA 2142234A CA 2142234 C CA2142234 C CA 2142234C
- Authority
- CA
- Canada
- Prior art keywords
- cap
- intersect
- base
- center key
- tongues
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Expired - Lifetime
Links
Classifications
-
- E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
- E06—DOORS, WINDOWS, SHUTTERS, OR ROLLER BLINDS IN GENERAL; LADDERS
- E06B—FIXED OR MOVABLE CLOSURES FOR OPENINGS IN BUILDINGS, VEHICLES, FENCES OR LIKE ENCLOSURES IN GENERAL, e.g. DOORS, WINDOWS, BLINDS, GATES
- E06B3/00—Window sashes, door leaves, or like elements for closing wall or like openings; Layout of fixed or moving closures, e.g. windows in wall or like openings; Features of rigidly-mounted outer frames relating to the mounting of wing frames
- E06B3/66—Units comprising two or more parallel glass or like panes permanently secured together
- E06B3/663—Elements for spacing panes
- E06B3/667—Connectors therefor
Landscapes
- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Civil Engineering (AREA)
- Structural Engineering (AREA)
- Wing Frames And Configurations (AREA)
- Lock And Its Accessories (AREA)
- Vehicle Interior And Exterior Ornaments, Soundproofing, And Insulation (AREA)
- Lining Or Joining Of Plastics Or The Like (AREA)
- Connection Of Plates (AREA)
- Supports Or Holders For Household Use (AREA)
Abstract
An intersect for joining hollow profiles having a molded plastic body which comprises a base and a plurality of tongues extending therefrom, each tongue having at least one upstanding longitudinal extending rib and a transverse bar extending therefrom in the vicinity of said base. The intersect also has a cap which is adapted to be secured to said molded plastic body over said base. The cap shall comprise a front wall and a plurality of abutment walls pending therefrom, with each abutment wall having at least one notch therein.
Description
CENTER INTERSECT
Field Of The Invention This invention relates to an intersect for joining hollow profiles, such as spacer framer segments, in the formation of a decorative grille which can be inserted in a glass or glazing panel to simulate traditional Georgian windows. The subject intersect comprises a unitary base which includes a body portion and a number of tongues which project from the body portion. These tongues are to be inserted into the open ends of various spacer frame segments or other hollow profiles. The base of the intersect also includes abutment means providing a positive stop for abutment with cut ends of the lengths of frame segment or other hollow profile. The intersect further includes two caps which may be welded, snapped or otherwise affixed to the base.
These caps make up for errors in the "cutting" of the hollow profiles. Such an intersect is often called a center key in the double glazing industry.
Background In most intersects or center keys known in the art, the body portion of the intersect remains visible in the finished glazing unit and is designed to provide a matching, aesthetically attractive, square-edged interface between the cut ends of the profiles or spacer frame segments. Injection moldings are widely used in the industry to form a one-piece component incorporating both the attachment tongues and the center or base section. The polymer used is a light, ultra-violet ("UV"), stable grade of pigmented engineering plastic. The mass of the center base section can cause so-called weld lines to appear, and can produce shrinkage at the edges which causes the molded center or base to gap apart from the raw-cut edges of the profiles or spacer frame segments.
An alternative form of center key which currently appears in the marketplace has the body portion made up of metal covers which are held in place by integral tongues which project into the ends of the profiles or spacer frame segments.
This system enables the covers to be paint finished, matching exactly the finish of the profiles or spacer frame segments. However, this known arrangement still has several disadvantages, which include the following:
1. ) The cut ends of the profiles or spacer frame segments remain exposed, detracting from the visual appearance of the finished grille.
2.) The range of metal cap configurations which can be produced is very limited due to metal forming techniques.
Field Of The Invention This invention relates to an intersect for joining hollow profiles, such as spacer framer segments, in the formation of a decorative grille which can be inserted in a glass or glazing panel to simulate traditional Georgian windows. The subject intersect comprises a unitary base which includes a body portion and a number of tongues which project from the body portion. These tongues are to be inserted into the open ends of various spacer frame segments or other hollow profiles. The base of the intersect also includes abutment means providing a positive stop for abutment with cut ends of the lengths of frame segment or other hollow profile. The intersect further includes two caps which may be welded, snapped or otherwise affixed to the base.
These caps make up for errors in the "cutting" of the hollow profiles. Such an intersect is often called a center key in the double glazing industry.
Background In most intersects or center keys known in the art, the body portion of the intersect remains visible in the finished glazing unit and is designed to provide a matching, aesthetically attractive, square-edged interface between the cut ends of the profiles or spacer frame segments. Injection moldings are widely used in the industry to form a one-piece component incorporating both the attachment tongues and the center or base section. The polymer used is a light, ultra-violet ("UV"), stable grade of pigmented engineering plastic. The mass of the center base section can cause so-called weld lines to appear, and can produce shrinkage at the edges which causes the molded center or base to gap apart from the raw-cut edges of the profiles or spacer frame segments.
An alternative form of center key which currently appears in the marketplace has the body portion made up of metal covers which are held in place by integral tongues which project into the ends of the profiles or spacer frame segments.
This system enables the covers to be paint finished, matching exactly the finish of the profiles or spacer frame segments. However, this known arrangement still has several disadvantages, which include the following:
1. ) The cut ends of the profiles or spacer frame segments remain exposed, detracting from the visual appearance of the finished grille.
2.) The range of metal cap configurations which can be produced is very limited due to metal forming techniques.
3.) The metal caps can clatter against the glass due to vibrations, caused by, among other things, traffic or airplanes.
An aim of the present invention is to overcome the limitations of currently known integrally molded intersects or center keys and center composite keys or intersects with metal covers.
~~~~2~4 Summary Of The Invention The present invention proposes a profile center key or intersect, which is provided with a molded plastic cap to cover the base portion of the intersect. The caps have a lip or flange portion which, in use, overlies the cut end of a length of profile or spacer frame segment when such profile or segment is brought into contact with the abutment means.
The abutment means may be formed on the main part of the center key or intersect, but is preferably formed on the cap. The position of the cut end of the profile or spacer frame segment is therefore determined relative to the cap rather than the base portion of the intersect, ensuring that the end of the profile or spacer frame segment is covered irrespective of the relative positions of the cap and base portion of the intersect.
The cap is preferably secured to the main part of the center key or intersect by snap engagement therewith, although it may also be secured to the base o the intersect by use of an adhesive or by sonic welding. In most cases, two such caps will be provided on opposite sides of the base portion of the intersect.
The advantages of the present center key or intersect overcome the limitations of currently known center key or intersect designs and can be summarized as follows:
1. The cut ends of the profiles are not visible.
2. Only one main unitary base needs to be molded for a given size of profile.
2~~22~4 3. The main unitary base can be molded in inexpensive materials without regard to color in order to reduce component costs.
4. The molding tools for the caps can easily be provided with interchangeable inserts for manufacture of various cover shapes.
An aim of the present invention is to overcome the limitations of currently known integrally molded intersects or center keys and center composite keys or intersects with metal covers.
~~~~2~4 Summary Of The Invention The present invention proposes a profile center key or intersect, which is provided with a molded plastic cap to cover the base portion of the intersect. The caps have a lip or flange portion which, in use, overlies the cut end of a length of profile or spacer frame segment when such profile or segment is brought into contact with the abutment means.
The abutment means may be formed on the main part of the center key or intersect, but is preferably formed on the cap. The position of the cut end of the profile or spacer frame segment is therefore determined relative to the cap rather than the base portion of the intersect, ensuring that the end of the profile or spacer frame segment is covered irrespective of the relative positions of the cap and base portion of the intersect.
The cap is preferably secured to the main part of the center key or intersect by snap engagement therewith, although it may also be secured to the base o the intersect by use of an adhesive or by sonic welding. In most cases, two such caps will be provided on opposite sides of the base portion of the intersect.
The advantages of the present center key or intersect overcome the limitations of currently known center key or intersect designs and can be summarized as follows:
1. The cut ends of the profiles are not visible.
2. Only one main unitary base needs to be molded for a given size of profile.
2~~22~4 3. The main unitary base can be molded in inexpensive materials without regard to color in order to reduce component costs.
4. The molding tools for the caps can easily be provided with interchangeable inserts for manufacture of various cover shapes.
5. The caps can be molded from different colored materials for use with a range of profile or spacer frame segment colors at minimum cost.
6. The caps can be cycled quicker, reducing molding costs.
7. Shrinkage problems related to molding of heavy sections are eliminated.
The invention will be described in more detail below in connection with the drawings.
Brief Description Of The Drawinas The following description and the accompanying drawings referred to therein are included by way of example in order to illustrate how the invention may be put into practice. In the drawings:
Figure 1 is a plan view of the unitary base of a center key or intersection according to the invention together with a cap which is shown separately.
Figure 2 is an end view of one of the unitary bases shown in Fig. 1 with two caps in place, above and below the unitary base.
Figure 3 is longitudinal section taken through the unitary base of Fig. 2.
Detailed Description Of The Drawings Referring to Fig. 1, the unitary body portion 1 of the center key or intersect is an integral plastic molding which includes a substantially square base part 10 having four tongues 12-15 of known form projecting from its four sides to receive four profile or spacer frame segment sections 16, shown in outline only.
The tongues each have a pair of upstanding 10 longitudinally extending ribs 17 which are continued across the base part 10 to be continuous with the ribs 17 for the opposite tongue_ At the root of each tongue the ribs 17 are bridged by a transverse bar 19.
The opposite rear face of the unitary body portion 1 is of substantially the same configuration, and a pair of substantially identical caps 3 are provided to completely cover and enclose the opposite faces of the base part 20 10 (only one being seen in Fig. 1). The front wall 32 of the cap is substantially square and may be of any desired style (e. g., "square cut"
or "pyramid") to provide an aesthetically attractive interface between the profiles or spacer bar segments 16.
As can be seen in Fig. 2, an abutment wall 33 depends from each of the four straight edges of the front wall 32, being slightly inset from the extreme marginal edge of the front wall 32 30 which thus forms a projecting lip 38. The four abutment walls 33 are each provided with double notches 34 to receive the ribs 17 when the cap is superimposed on the base portion 10, in which 2L~~~3~
position the abutment walls 33 are positively located between the four transverse bars 19.
The two caps 3 may be secured to the base portion 10 by means of a suitable adhesive, by a suitable plastics welding technique such as sonic welding, or by means of cooperating snap-engageable formations on the cap and base portion.
When a length of profile 16 is pushed over one of the tongues 12 as shown in Fig. 3, the leading cut end of the profile or spacer bar segment eventually abuts the wall 33 which provides a positive stop for the profile or spacer bar segment, hiding the cut end from view.
Although the lip is short, its length is still sufficient to cover the end face of the profile or spacer bar segment in the event of normal shrinkage in the length of the profile or spacer bar segment.
The caps and base portion can be formed with an aperture for insertion of a resilient glass buffer, to prevent clattering against the glass sheets in a double glazing panel.
The invention will be described in more detail below in connection with the drawings.
Brief Description Of The Drawinas The following description and the accompanying drawings referred to therein are included by way of example in order to illustrate how the invention may be put into practice. In the drawings:
Figure 1 is a plan view of the unitary base of a center key or intersection according to the invention together with a cap which is shown separately.
Figure 2 is an end view of one of the unitary bases shown in Fig. 1 with two caps in place, above and below the unitary base.
Figure 3 is longitudinal section taken through the unitary base of Fig. 2.
Detailed Description Of The Drawings Referring to Fig. 1, the unitary body portion 1 of the center key or intersect is an integral plastic molding which includes a substantially square base part 10 having four tongues 12-15 of known form projecting from its four sides to receive four profile or spacer frame segment sections 16, shown in outline only.
The tongues each have a pair of upstanding 10 longitudinally extending ribs 17 which are continued across the base part 10 to be continuous with the ribs 17 for the opposite tongue_ At the root of each tongue the ribs 17 are bridged by a transverse bar 19.
The opposite rear face of the unitary body portion 1 is of substantially the same configuration, and a pair of substantially identical caps 3 are provided to completely cover and enclose the opposite faces of the base part 20 10 (only one being seen in Fig. 1). The front wall 32 of the cap is substantially square and may be of any desired style (e. g., "square cut"
or "pyramid") to provide an aesthetically attractive interface between the profiles or spacer bar segments 16.
As can be seen in Fig. 2, an abutment wall 33 depends from each of the four straight edges of the front wall 32, being slightly inset from the extreme marginal edge of the front wall 32 30 which thus forms a projecting lip 38. The four abutment walls 33 are each provided with double notches 34 to receive the ribs 17 when the cap is superimposed on the base portion 10, in which 2L~~~3~
position the abutment walls 33 are positively located between the four transverse bars 19.
The two caps 3 may be secured to the base portion 10 by means of a suitable adhesive, by a suitable plastics welding technique such as sonic welding, or by means of cooperating snap-engageable formations on the cap and base portion.
When a length of profile 16 is pushed over one of the tongues 12 as shown in Fig. 3, the leading cut end of the profile or spacer bar segment eventually abuts the wall 33 which provides a positive stop for the profile or spacer bar segment, hiding the cut end from view.
Although the lip is short, its length is still sufficient to cover the end face of the profile or spacer bar segment in the event of normal shrinkage in the length of the profile or spacer bar segment.
The caps and base portion can be formed with an aperture for insertion of a resilient glass buffer, to prevent clattering against the glass sheets in a double glazing panel.
Claims (6)
1. An intersect for joining hollow profiles, comprising:
a center key having a molded plastic body, said center key comprising a base and a plurality of tongues extending therefrom, each of said tongues having at least one upstanding, longitudinally extending rib and a transverse bar extending thereacross in the vicinity of said base; and a cap having a molded plastic body adapted to be secured to said center key over said base, said cap comprising a front wall and a plurality of abutment walls depending therefrom;
wherein each one of said abutment walls has at least one notch therein, said notch being sized and configured to mate with said at least one rib of a corresponding one of said tongues; and wherein each one of said abutment walls depends from said front wall such that each of said abutment walls will be disposed interiorly of said transverse bar of a corresponding one of said tongues when said cap is secured to said center key.
a center key having a molded plastic body, said center key comprising a base and a plurality of tongues extending therefrom, each of said tongues having at least one upstanding, longitudinally extending rib and a transverse bar extending thereacross in the vicinity of said base; and a cap having a molded plastic body adapted to be secured to said center key over said base, said cap comprising a front wall and a plurality of abutment walls depending therefrom;
wherein each one of said abutment walls has at least one notch therein, said notch being sized and configured to mate with said at least one rib of a corresponding one of said tongues; and wherein each one of said abutment walls depends from said front wall such that each of said abutment walls will be disposed interiorly of said transverse bar of a corresponding one of said tongues when said cap is secured to said center key.
2. The intersect as recited in claim 1, wherein each of said abutment walls depends from said front wall at a location generally inset from the edge of said front wall.
3. The intersect as recited in claim 1 or 2, wherein said cap is adapted to be secured by a snap-fit to said center key.
4. The intersect as recited in claim 1 or 2, wherein said cap is adapted to be secured by an ultrasonic weld to said center key.
5. The intersect as recited in claim 1 or 2, wherein said cap is adapted to be secured by glue to said center key.
6. An intersect for joining hollow profiles, comprising:
a center key having a molded plastic body, said center key comprising a substantially square base and four tongues extending one from each side of said base, each of said tongues having a pair of upstanding, longitudinally extending rib and a transverse bar extending thereacross in the vicinity of said base;
and a cap having a molded plastic body adapted to be secured to said center key over said base, said cap comprising a front wall and four abutment walls depending from said front wall at a location generally inset from the edge of said front wall;
wherein each one of said abutment walls has a pair of notches therein, said notch being sized and configured to mate with said pair of ribs of a corresponding one of said tongues; and wherein each one of said abutment walls depends from said front wall such that each of said abutment walls will be disposed interiorly of said transverse bar of a corresponding one of said tongues when said cap is secured to said center key.
a center key having a molded plastic body, said center key comprising a substantially square base and four tongues extending one from each side of said base, each of said tongues having a pair of upstanding, longitudinally extending rib and a transverse bar extending thereacross in the vicinity of said base;
and a cap having a molded plastic body adapted to be secured to said center key over said base, said cap comprising a front wall and four abutment walls depending from said front wall at a location generally inset from the edge of said front wall;
wherein each one of said abutment walls has a pair of notches therein, said notch being sized and configured to mate with said pair of ribs of a corresponding one of said tongues; and wherein each one of said abutment walls depends from said front wall such that each of said abutment walls will be disposed interiorly of said transverse bar of a corresponding one of said tongues when said cap is secured to said center key.
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| GB9402649A GB2286419B (en) | 1994-02-11 | 1994-02-11 | Centre key |
| GB94026499 | 1994-02-12 |
Publications (2)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA2142234A1 CA2142234A1 (en) | 1995-08-13 |
| CA2142234C true CA2142234C (en) | 2005-08-30 |
Family
ID=10750238
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA 2142234 Expired - Lifetime CA2142234C (en) | 1994-02-11 | 1995-02-10 | Center intersect |
Country Status (5)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| EP (1) | EP0667437B1 (en) |
| CA (1) | CA2142234C (en) |
| DE (1) | DE69502215D1 (en) |
| ES (1) | ES2116679T3 (en) |
| GB (1) | GB2286419B (en) |
Families Citing this family (3)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| DE19714557C1 (en) * | 1997-04-09 | 1999-02-11 | Werner Dipl Ing Schmitz | Cross-stay with four arms |
| AU5469601A (en) * | 2000-03-21 | 2001-10-03 | Erbsloh Rolltech A/S | Longitudinal connector for hollow profiles |
| DE102022105435A1 (en) | 2022-03-08 | 2023-09-14 | S & T Components Gmbh & Co. Kg | Cross connector |
Family Cites Families (9)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| GB1564447A (en) * | 1977-03-09 | 1980-04-10 | Bkl Extrusions Ltd | Glazing strips |
| DE3221117A1 (en) * | 1981-07-03 | 1983-04-07 | Fa. Franz Knack, 4400 Münster | Insulating-glass element with ornamental glass element inserted between two panes and with distance pieces |
| GB2147045B (en) * | 1981-08-12 | 1985-11-20 | Hepworth Plastics Ltd | Windows |
| DE8318000U1 (en) * | 1983-06-22 | 1983-10-20 | Fa. Carl Freudenberg, 6940 Weinheim | KIT FOR SEALING CONNECTION AND SPACING AT LEAST TWO GLASS PANELS |
| US4610901A (en) * | 1984-10-25 | 1986-09-09 | Wayne Boren Corporation | Dual glazed insulatable stained glass window and method of making same |
| AU5658786A (en) * | 1985-04-26 | 1986-11-06 | Mansion Industries Inc. | Grid for windows |
| US4783938A (en) * | 1988-02-05 | 1988-11-15 | Sne Enterprises | Window panel assembly |
| GB2242699A (en) * | 1990-04-03 | 1991-10-09 | Ellay Enfield Tubes Limited | Decorative grid inserts for double-glazing |
| AT394617B (en) * | 1990-07-23 | 1992-05-25 | Proglas Handelsgmbh & Co Kg | Window glazing-bar system comprising hollow profiles and connections thereof |
-
1994
- 1994-02-11 GB GB9402649A patent/GB2286419B/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
-
1995
- 1995-02-09 EP EP19950300821 patent/EP0667437B1/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
- 1995-02-09 ES ES95300821T patent/ES2116679T3/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
- 1995-02-09 DE DE69502215T patent/DE69502215D1/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
- 1995-02-10 CA CA 2142234 patent/CA2142234C/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| GB9402649D0 (en) | 1994-04-06 |
| ES2116679T3 (en) | 1998-07-16 |
| GB2286419A (en) | 1995-08-16 |
| DE69502215D1 (en) | 1998-06-04 |
| EP0667437A1 (en) | 1995-08-16 |
| EP0667437B1 (en) | 1998-04-29 |
| CA2142234A1 (en) | 1995-08-13 |
| GB2286419B (en) | 1997-02-12 |
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Legal Events
| Date | Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| EEER | Examination request | ||
| MKEX | Expiry |
Effective date: 20150210 |