Multi-pane window assembly with single-sided frame

A window assembly for mounting in a recessed window opening, the window assembly comprising a transparent fixed position pane having an interior surface, an exterior surface and a peripheral edge surface, a transparent sliding pane, and mounting frame means for integrating the window assembly comprising;

• a full-circumference, molded plastic single-sided frame member slidably mounting the sliding pane and supporting the fixed position pane by adhesive surface bonding to a perimeter portion of the interior surface of the fixed position pane, the peripheral edge surface and the exterior surface of the fixed position pane being free of adhesive surface bonding to the single-sided frame member;
• an exposed exterior surface substantially flush with the exterior surface of the fixed position pane;
• and
• a horizontally extending elongate upper applique, wherein the exposed exterior surface comprises an exterior surface portion of the upper applique, the upper applique having unitary portions extending laterally of the exterior surface portion and embedded in an upper horizontal section of the single-sided frame member.

A window assembly for mounting in a recessed window opening, the window assembly comprising a fixed position pane which is transparent and has an interior surface, an exterior surface and a peripheral edge surface, a transparent, slidably mounted pane which is horizontally slidable between a closed position laterally adjacent the fixed position pane and an open position, and mounting frame means comprising:

• a full-circumference, molded plastic single-sided frame member supporting the fixed position pane by adhesive surface bonding to a perimeter portion of the interior surface of the fixed position pane, with the peripheral edge surface and the exterior surface of the fixed position pane being free of adhesive surface bonding to the single-sided frame member;
• an upper exposed exterior surface which extends horizontally above the slidably mounted pane in its closed position, and is substantially flush with the exterior surface of the fixed position pane;
• a lower exposed exterior surface which extends horizontally below the slidably mounted pane in its closed position and is substantially flush with the exterior surface of the fixed position pane;
• a horizontally extending upper channel which slidingly receives an upper peripheral edge of the slidably mounted pane;
• and
• a horizontally extending lower channel which slidingly receives a lower peripheral edge of the slidably mounted pane.

A window assembly for mounting in a recessed window opening, comprising:

• a transparent right-side fixed position pane having an interior surface, an exterior surface and a peripheral edge surface, a transparent left-side fixed position pane having an interior surface, an exterior surface and a peripheral edge surface, a transparent center pane which is horizontally slidable from a closed position in which it is substantially laterally centered between the fixed position panes and an open position;
• and
• mounting frame means for mounting the fixed position panes and the center pane, comprising:
• a full-circumference, one-piece, molded plastic single-sided frame member supporting the fixed position panes and the center pane, a perimeter portion of the interior surface of each fixed position pane being adhesively surface bonded to the frame member, with the peripheral edge and the exterior surface of each fixed position pane being completely free of adhesive surface bonding to the single-sided frame member;
• an upper applique fixed to an upper horizontal section of the single-sided frame member and providing substantial structural strength and rigidity to the window assembly, extending horizontally from above the right-side fixed position pane to above the left-side fixed position pane,
• having a center portion with an exposed exterior surface which extends between the right-side fixed position pane and the left
• side fixed position pane, and structurally supporting a horizontally extending upper channel member which slidingly receives an upper peripheral edge of the center pane;
• and
• a lower applique fixed to a lower horizontal section of the single-sided frame member, extending horizontally from below the right-side fixed position pane to below the left-side fixed position pane,
• having a center portion with an exposed exterior surface which extends between the right-side fixed position pane and the left
• side fixed position pane, and
• structurally supporting a horizontally extending lower channel member which slidingly receives a lower peripheral edge of the center pane, the exposed exterior surfaces of the center portions of the upper and lower appliques each being substantially flush with the exterior surface of the right-side and left-side fixed position panes.

A method of making a window assembly comprising fixed and slidably mounted panes, for flush mounting in a recessed window opening, the method comprising:

• positioning within a molding cavity a transparent right-side fixed position pane having an interior surface, an exterior surface and a peripheral edge surface, a transparent left-side fixed position pane having an interior surface, an exterior surface and a peripheral edge surface, an upper applique having a center portion positioned between the right-side fixed position pane and the left-side fixed position pane, a right-side lateral extension along an upper portion of the right-side fixed position pane, and a left-side lateral extension along an upper portion of the left-side fixed position pane, and a lower applique having a center portion positioned between the right-side fixed position pane and the left-side fixed position pane, a right-side lateral extension along a lower portion of the right-side fixed position pane, and a left-side lateral extension along a lower portion of the left-side fixed position pane, an exterior surface of the center portion of each applique being substantially flush with the exterior surfaces of the fixed position panes;
• closing the molding cavity;
• introducing curable polymeric material into the molding cavity to form a full-circumference, single-sided frame member which at least partially envelopes the lateral extensions of the appliques and forms adhesive surface bonding contact with a perimeter portion of the interior surface of the fixed position panes, leaving the exterior surfaces of the center portions of the appliques and the exterior and peripheral edge surfaces of the fixed position panes all free of contact with the polymeric material;
• at least partially curing the polymeric material to form a self-supporting sub-assembly comprising the fixed position panes and the appliques integrated with the single-sided frame member;
• and
• opening the molding cavity and removing the sub-assembly.