Abstract: A wood grain finish to a pultruded part is obtained by applying to a surface of the part before entering the die a strip carrying male projections shaped in differential depths and spacing across the width of the part to form a simulated wood grain pattern. The strip is then removed after the part is set leaving recesses in the outside surface which provide a simulated wood grain finish which can be differentially stained.

Abstract: Transverse fibers are added to a pultruded part by forming a body of fibers and resin in a first die part which body is dimensioned smaller than that of the die through which the body is to be passed. A fluid including cut fibers is then applied under pressure to the body just upstream of the die so that cut fibers become integrated with the body into the spaces defined in the body. The continuous fibers, the cut fibers, and the resin are then passed through the die and become integrated into a pultruded part with the transverse cut fibers providing a transverse strength.

Abstract: A pultruded part is formed from thermosetting resin which is carried on continuous longitudinal fiber reinforcement into a die which shapes the resin and fibers into the required transverse cross sectional shape and then acts to set the resin. Some of the fibers have applied thereto a second resin material of a different characteristic so that these fibers carry the second resin into the part at localized regions to form localized regions of the second resin extending longitudinally continuously of the part. This allows a resin of an increased strength to be used at areas of increased strength requirement, for example areas of screw fastening, screw ports, junction between two legs and in order to provide a thinner part for reduced thermal transfer.

Abstract: A sliding door system includes an outer frame, a fixed door panel and a sliding door panel. The outer frame is formed from four frame elements of the same profile which can thus be mitered and connected by corner inserts. The sliding door panel sits on a saddle provided on the outer frame and slides longitudinally of the saddle. A weatherstrip element is carried on the sliding door panel between the saddle and a recess straddling the saddle. The sliding door panel is biased away from contact between the weatherstrip and the saddle but is moved transversely as it reaches the closed position by wedge members at the front edge and by a locking system at the rear edge to compress the weatherstrip to improve the sealing effect. A portion of the saddle is removed adjacent the fixed door panel to allow the sliding door panel to be removed from the top edge.

Abstract: A spacer for separating panes of glass in a sealed window unit is formed of a thermosetting resin reinforced longitudinally with continuously extending glass fibres. A layer of a foil material is introduced into the part during the pultrusion process so that the foil is embedded within the part and defines a moisture impermeable layer in the outer wall of the part. The foil can be carried into the part on a layer of paper or polyester which combines with the resin in a bonding action.

Abstract: A sash window is formed from a frame profile and a sealed window unit comprising a pair of spaced parallel glass panes. The frame profile includes a channel section with a tranverse web and upstanding side walls which are formed integrally without separate stops and integrally with a support element for the window frame. The frame profile is manufactured by pultrusion to provide a coefficient of expansion very close to that of glass. The sealed window unit is sealed to the window frame by a bead of sealant material only at the corner between the inner face of the window unit and the tranverse web supporting the side edge of the window unit. The sealant is thus protected from exposure to the elements. A drainage opening is provided in the web to allow the escape of moisture passing between the direct contact between the outer side wall and the outer face of the window unit.

Abstract: Window frames formed from pultruded glass fibre reinforced resin material are shaped so that a movable portion of the frame includes a hollow profile, an opening in which is closed by a separate strip interlocking with the profile and carrying a weatherstripping blade. A corner member is defined by a pair of plate-like legs interconnected at right angles, each of which slides into a slot in the profile defined by shoulders on the side walls and a recess on the outer wall. The corner member is then screwed to the part through the recess on the outer wall.

Abstract: A sealed window unit includes decorative muntin bars formed by pultruded strips of thickness very much less than the spacing between the panes of the window unit so that the strips can be interwoven and extend from one side to the other side for attachment to the spacer strips of the sealed window unit by pegs cut at the ends of the strips during a length cutting process.

Abstract: A spacer strip for use in a sealed window unit is manufactured from a pultruded fibreglass reinforced body providing a substantially closed hollow body with a slot along one side. The strip is manufactured by pultrusion using a die which is slightly more open than the finished product including a mandrel supported by a web wider than the eventual slot. Closing of the body into the eventual shape is obtained either by differential shrinkage using matting on the outer surface of the body or by squeezing the body between heated rollers. A sealed window unit incorporates the spacer strips between two panes of glass adjacent the edges thereof and incorporates a dessicant communicating with the space between the windows through the slot.

Abstract: A corner member for locating at right angles spacer strips of a sealed window unit includes a pair of legs at right angles each for extending into an adjacent end of one of the strips. The strips are of the type formed from fiberglass reinforced resin pultrusion defining a slot along the inner surface. To prevent the slot opening when the leg is inserted into the hollow interior of the strip, the leg includes a pair of laterally extending projections for engaging the strip in compression fit only at the junctions between the sides and outer edge of the strip.