Window frame corner fabrication
AssigneeGED Integrated Solutions, Inc.
InventorsWilliam A. Briese, Robert S. Galosi, John Grismer
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Method and Apparatus for fabricating a spacer frame for use in an insulating glass unit. A roll former bends a strip of material to form a spacer frame having side walls to which an adhesive is applied during fabrication of an insulated glass unit. Alternately a plastic frame is formed by extrusion. A notching apparatus forms notches at locations that extend into the side walls to weaken the side walls for bending of said elongated channel into a closed structure. A downstream workstation predisposes specified locations of the sidewalls to facilitate bending of the spacer frame. The workstation forces the specified locations of the sidewalls inwardly toward each other at the predetermined bend locations.
Claims11
Apparatus for fabricating a spacer frame for use in an insulating glass unit comprising:
- a) forming structure for forming a spacer frame having side walls which exits the forming structure moving along a path of travel and to which an adhesive is applied during fabrication of an insulated glass unit;
- b) a notching apparatus for forming notches at locations that extend into the side walls to weaken said side walls for bending of said spacer frame into a closed structure;
- and
- c) a workstation comprising i) crimping fingers that are moved into contact with said side walls to bend the spacer frame, side walls inwardly toward each other at a region of the notches, and ii) a carriage supporting the crimping fingers which intermittently moves with the spacer frame along its path of travel as the crimping fingers are brought into contact with side walls of the spacer frame.
A method for use in fabricating a spacer frame for using in making an insulating glass unit comprising:
- a) forming notches in a metal strip at corner locations;
- b) bending the metal strip into a channel shaped elongated frame member;
- c) mounting a carriage for intermittent movement with the elongated frame member as the elongated frame member moves along a travel path subsequent to the bending;
- and
- d) supporting crimping fingers with the carriage and moving the fingers into contact with sides of the channel shaped elongated frame member at the region of the corner defining notches to bend the channel inwardly to facilitate further bending of the frame into a closed structure.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.