Abstract: The pressure plate assembly is used for securing curtain wall panels. The pressure plate assembly includes an elongated base member and an elongated stiffening member. At least a portion of the interior main face of the stiffening member is removably engagable against a corresponding mating surface on the exterior main face of the base member. The stiffening member is made of a material having a mechanical stress resistance higher than that of the material of the base member. At least one longitudinally-extending thermal insulation chamber is provided within a space located between the interior main face of the base member and the interior main face of the stiffening member.

Abstract: The system includes a plurality of mullion retrofit adaptors, each having a rear side configured and disposed to fit over the front side of at least some mullion of the existing supporting framework. It also includes a plurality of new mullions, each having a rear side configured and disposed to fit over at least some of the retrofit adaptors. A method for refurbishing an existing curtain wall attached to a base structure is also presented. This proposed concept can significantly reduce the time and costs for refurbishing an existing curtain wall.

Abstract: The watertight patio door assembly includes two adjacent and laterally offset door panels mounted in a door frame, at least one of the door panels being slidably movable within the door frame. It also includes a combined air and water passageway located within a sill section of the door frame. The passageway provides a continual fluid communication between a location at a bottom end of a clearance gap, located between adjacent vertical frame members of the door panels when the patio door assembly is closed, and the exterior side of the patio door assembly. Two spaced-apart sets of weatherstrips create a vertically-extending buffer air space within the clearance gap. The disclosed arrangement can greatly improve watertightness between the door panels during severe weather conditions without the need of a complex arrangement and/or weatherstrips impairing the movement of the sliding door panel or panels.

Abstract: The system includes a plurality of mullion retrofit adaptors, each having a rear side configured and disposed to fit over the front side of at least some mullion of the existing supporting framework. It also includes a plurality of new mullions, each having a rear side configured and disposed to fit over at least some of the retrofit adaptors. A method for refurbishing an existing curtain wall attached to a base structure is also presented. This proposed concept can significantly reduce the time and costs for refurbishing an existing curtain wall.

Abstract: The pressure plate assembly is used for securing curtain wall panels. The pressure plate assembly includes an elongated base member and an elongated stiffening member. At least a portion of the interior main face of the stiffening member is removably engagable against a corresponding mating surface on the exterior main face of the base member. The stiffening member is made of a material having a mechanical stress resistance higher than that of the material of the base member. At least one longitudinally-extending thermal insulation chamber is provided within a space located between the interior main face of the base member and the interior main face of the stiffening member.