Spacer frame with rising locking member
AssigneeGED Integrated Solutions, Inc.
InventorWilliam A. Briese
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A spacer frame assembly and method of manufacturing that includes a substantially linear channel comprising two lateral walls connected by a base wall, the channel having first and second ends that when assembled, includes at least three sides and corresponding corners between each of the sides; the linear channel further includes a nose portion of the first end and a receiving portion of the second end having a channel for receiving the nose portion; and the nose portion comprising a first undulation in the first end and the receiving portion comprising a second undulation in the second end. The first and second undulations nest when the ends are in an assembled position.
Claims20
A spacer frame assembly comprising:
- a substantially linear channel comprising two lateral walls connected by a base wall, the channel having first and second ends that, when assembled, includes at least three sides and corresponding corners between each of the sides;
- the linear channel further includes a nose portion of the first end and a receiving portion of the second end having a channel for receiving the nose portion;
- and
- the nose portion comprising a first undulation in the first end and a first aperture and the receiving portion comprising a second undulation in the second end and a second locking aperture having a projection, the first and second undulations nesting when said ends are in an assembled position and the first locking aperture residing within and aligning with the second aperture aligning to form a through-hole when said ends are in the assembled position.
A spacer frame assembly comprising:
- a substantially linear channel comprising two lateral walls connected by a base wall, the channel having first and second ends that when assembled, includes at least three sides and corresponding corners between each of said sides;
- a nose portion of the first end and a second receiving portion of said second end, the receiving portion having a channel for receiving the nose portion of a connecting structure;
- and
- a tab stiffener comprising an undulation extending transversely along an end of said base wall of said nose portion, the tab stiffener provides anti-buckling strength to said spacer frame.
A method for manufacturing a spacer frame assembly, the method comprising the steps of:
- providing an elongated metal strip;
- providing a stamping station comprising at least one die set and a controller;
- forming at least three corners by the at least one die set controlled by the controller;
- forming a connecting portion of the elongated metal strip by the at least one die set controlled by the controller;
- forming a nose portion of the elongated metal strip by the at least one die set controlled by the controller;
- and
- forming a first undulation and a first aperture in said nose portion and a second undulation and a second aperture defining a projection in said connecting portion such that said first and second undulations nest when said nose portion and said connecting portion are in an assembled position and the projection of the second aperture nests within the first aperture when said nose portion and said connecting portion are in the assembled position.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.