Joint structure and method of manufacture

A joint structure for interconnecting adjacent ends of first and second framing members, each having opposing first and second sides, and each including a glass receiving channel formed between the first and second sides thereof, the glass receiving channel for supporting interior and exterior sides of a window glass assembly, the joint structure comprising:

• (a) a first mating portion disposed at the end of the first framing member, the first mating portion having a first mating surface defined thereon, wherein the first mating portion has a width defined along a direction extending between the first and second sides of the first framing member;
• (b) a flange disposed at the end of the first framing member on the first side thereof;
• (c) a second mating portion disposed at the end of the second framing member and having a width substantially the same as the width of the first mating portion, the second mating portion having a second mating surface defined thereon for abutting the first mating surface on the first mating portion, and wherein the second mating portion defines a recessed surface proximate the first side of the second framing member;
• and
• (d) connecting means for connecting the first and second mating portions through the first and second mating surfaces with the flange overlapping the recessed surface on the second mating portion.

A joint structure for interconnecting first and second framing members, each member having opposing first and second sides, the joint structure comprising:

• (a) a mating portion disposed at the end of each framing member, wherein each mating portion is formed of a heat weldable material and includes a mating surface defined thereon for mating with a mating surface defined on the other mating portion;
• (b) a flange disposed at the end of the first framing member, the flange spanning between the mating portion and the first side of the first framing member;
• (c) a recess defined on the first side of the second framing member at the end thereof, the recess for receiving the flange on the first framing member;
• and
• (d) means for heat welding the first and second members through the mating surfaces thereof, wherein the flange is received in the recess and substantially covers the mating surfaces proximate the first sides of the framing members, and wherein flashing formed along the mating surfaces during heat welding is diverted away from the first sides of the framing members.

A joint structure for interconnecting adjacent ends of first and second framing members, each having opposing first and second sides, and each formed of a heat weldable material, the joint structure comprising:

• (a) a first mating portion disposed at the end of the first framing member, the first mating portion having a first mating surface defined thereon, wherein the first mating portion has a width defined along a direction extending between the first and second sides of the first framing member;
• (b) a flange disposed at the end of the first framing member on the first side thereof;
• and
• (c) a second mating portion disposed at the end of the second framing member and having a width substantially the same as the width of the first mating portion, the second mating portion having a second mating surface defined thereon for abutting the first mating surface on the first mating portion, and wherein the second mating portion defines a recessed surface proximate the first side of the second framing member;
• wherein the first and second mating portions are connected through a heat welded connection between the first and second mating surfaces with the flange overlapping the recessed surface on the second mating portion.