Thermally insulating composite frame apparatus with slide-in thermal isolator and method for making same

A composite frame apparatus comprising:

• a first elongate profile member extending in a direction along a longitudinal axis;
• a first connection region on the first profile member, the first connection region comprising spaced apart first and second flange members defining a first landing region therebetween, the first landing region comprising a first substantially planar locating surface, the first and second flange members of the first connection region being selectively crimpable inwardly in a direction along a transverse axis, wherein the transverse axis is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis;
• and
• a bridge member connected with the first profile member, the bridge member comprising:
• a body portion extending in a direction along the longitudinal axis and having at least a first longitudinal edge on an end of the body portion in a direction along a height axis, wherein the height axis is perpendicular to the transverse and longitudinal axes;
• and
• a first head portion carried at the first longitudinal edge of the body portion, the first head portion defining a first outer planar surface, a recessed region defined in the first outer planar surface, and first and second inner planar surfaces, the first outer planar surface and the first and second inner planar surfaces being mutually parallel and spaced apart in a direction along the height axis, the first outer planar surface being in abutting contact with the first substantially planar locating surface, the recessed region being spaced apart from the first substantially planar locating surface, and the first and second inner planar surfaces engaging the first and second flange members of the first connection region crimped inwardly.

A thermal insulation strip for connecting with an associated thermally insulating frame system comprising a first profile member, the theuiial insulation strip comprising:

• a body portion extending along a longitudinal axis and having a central wall portion and first and second edges on opposite sides of the wall portion in a height axis perpendicular to the longitudinal axis;
• a first head portion defined on the first edge of the body portion;
• first and second foot members extending in opposite directions along a transverse axis from the first head portion, wherein the transverse axis (X) is perpendicular to the longitudinal and height axes, wherein the first and second foot members define a first outer planar surface at a top end of the strip, wherein the first and second foot members define a first inner planar surface, the first inner planar surface being parallel to the first outer planar surface and being spaced apart from the first outer planar surface by a thickness of the first and second foot members along the height axis;
• a first concave connection region defined between the body portion of the thermal insulation strip and a first partial inner planar surface defined by the first inner planar surface of the first foot member on a first side of the first head portion, wherein the first concave connection region is semi-circular having a first radius configured for mutual engagement with a corresponding convex portion of the associated first profile member of the associated thermally insulating frame system for aligning and locating the thermal insulation strip with the associated first profile member;
• and
• a second concave connection region defined between the body portion of the thermal insulation strip and a second partial inner planar surface defined by the first inner planar surface of the second foot member on a second side of the first head portion opposite from the first side of the first head portion, wherein the second concave connection region is semi-circular having a second radius configured for mutual engagement with a corresponding convex portion of the associated first profile member of the associated thermally insulating frame system for aligning and locating the thermal insulation strip with the associated first profile member;
• wherein the first head portion defines a recessed region on the first edge of the body portion between spaced apart first and second outer planar surfaces, the recessed region terminating in the thickness of the first and second foot members along the height axis.