Bead for retaining and air sealing a windowpane and window assembly therewith

A polymeric bead for retaining and air sealing a windowpane to a framework, the bead being in position when interlocked with a lateral projection of the framework, the bead comprising:

• a bead frame having a front and a rear longitudinally extending flange which are spaced apart from each other, the front flange being in facing relationship with the windowpane when the bead is in position;
• a weatherstrip extending along the bead frame before the front flange and projecting therefrom, the weatherstrip comprising a first flexible portion for pressing against the periphery of the windowpane when the bead is in position, and a second flexible portion for pressing against the framework when the bead is in position;
• and
• securing means for interlocking the bead with the lateral projection of the framework, the securing means at least comprising a longitudinally extending tongue portion projecting from the bead frame and adapted to be engaged in a corresponding groove portion of the lateral projection of the framework.

A window assembly comprising:

• a framework having a lateral projection;
• a windowpane set in the framework;
• a bead for retaining and air sealing the windowpane to the framework, the bead being interlocked with the lateral projection of the framework, the bead comprising:
• a bead frame having a front and a rear longitudinally extending flange which are spaced apart from each other, the front flange facing the windowpane;
• a weatherstrip connected and extending along the bead frame before the front flange, the weatherstrip having a portion overlapping at least an end portion of the front flange for preventing direct contact of the front flange with the framework, the weatherstrip comprising a first flexible portion projecting therefrom and pressing against the periphery of the windowpane, and a second flexible portion projecting from the weatherstrip and pressing against the framework;
• and
• securing means for interlocking the bead with the lateral projection of the framework, the securing means at least comprising a longitudinally extending tongue portion projecting from the weatherstrip and engaged in a corresponding groove portion of the lateral projection of the framework.

A window assembly comprising:

• a polymeric framework having a lateral projection;
• a windowpane set in the framework;
• a polymeric bead for retaining and air sealing the windowpane to the framework, the bead being interlocked with the lateral projection of the framework, the bead comprising:
• a bead frame having a front and a rear longitudinally extending flange which are spaced apart from each other, the front flange facing the windowpane;
• a weatherstrip extending along the bead frame before the front flange and projecting therefrom, the weatherstrip comprising a first flexible portion pressing against the periphery of the windowpane, and a second flexible portion pressing against the framework;
• and
• securing means for interlocking the bead with the lateral projection of the framework, the securing means at least comprising a longitudinally extending tongue portion projecting from the bead frame and engaged in a corresponding groove portion of the lateral projection of the framework.