Combination pressure plate

A pressure plate for holding a glazing unit to a frame member, comprising:

• (A) an elongated metal plate;
• and
• (B) an elongated composite plate formed from a material having a thermal conductivity less than the metal plate, the composite plate and the metal plate aligned and coupled together to form a pressure plate assembly, the pressure plate assembly fastened to the frame member with the composite plate proximate the frame member and the metal plate distal to the frame member, the pressure plate assembly pressing the glazing unit toward the frame member,
• wherein the composite plate has a pair of gaskets and a central isolator attached to and extending longitudinally and parallel to the composite plate along a length thereof,
• wherein the composite plate has a pair of extensions extending from the isolator,
• wherein the composite plate has a pair of ledges extending along opposing side edges of the composite plate, the ledges embracing the metal plate there between,
• further comprising a pair of ribs extending from a surface of the composite plate in a perpendicular direction, the ribs running lengthwise along the composite plate parallel to edges of the composite plate and the metal plate has a pair of receivers, the receivers receiving the pair of ribs, the metal plate nesting between the ledges, wherein the metal plate has a central offset, the offset receiving a portion of the isolator therein while the pair of extensions abut flat portions of the metal plate on either side of the central offset.

A glazing system for holding a glazing unit, comprising:

• (A) a frame member;
• (B) an elongated metal plate;
• and
• (C) an elongated composite plate formed from a plurality of polymers having a thermal conductivity less than the metal plate, the composite plate having a pair of gaskets and a central isolator attached to and extending longitudinally and parallel to the composite plate along a length thereof, the composite plate and the metal plate aligned and coupled together to form a pressure plate assembly, the composite plate having a pair of ribs extending therefrom toward the metal plate and the metal plate having a pair of slots receiving the pair of ribs therein to couple the composite plate to the metal plate, the composite plate having a pair of ledges extending along opposing side edges of the composite plate, the ledges embracing the metal plate there between, wherein the frame member has a tongue and the pressure plate assembly has a plurality of apertures therein and further comprising a plurality of threaded fasteners, the threaded fasteners extending through corresponding ones of the plurality of apertures and being threadedly received in the tongue, the threaded fastener pushing the pressure plate assembly toward the glazing unit, a cap with peripheral edges, the cap covering the pressure plate assembly, the pressure plate assembly having a pair of opposed grooves, the opposed grooves receiving corresponding ones of the peripheral edges of the cap, the pressure plate assembly fastened to the frame member with the composite plate proximate the frame member and the metal plate distal to the frame member, the pressure plate assembly pressing the glazing unit toward the frame member.