Abstract: A sunshade for shading window exteriors includes at least one connecting bracket for attachment to a window mullion, a blade support strut attached to the connecting bracket at a first joint, and a plurality of louvered blades supported by the blade support strut at a second joint. The pivot angle at the first joint may be varied to extend the louvered blades a desired distance from the window mullion. The louvered blades are positioned at a preselected fixed profile angle on the second joint in order to optimize shading at the latitude where the sunshade is installed. In a preferred embodiment, the louvered blades have top walls supporting photovoltaic cells and the sunshade includes electric cables for connecting the photovoltaic cells to an electric circuit.

Abstract: A flashing assembly includes a sill horizontal, a sill flashing for attaching the assembly to a substrate, and at least one sill clip for interconnecting the sill horizontal and the sill flashing. The sill horizontal, sill flashing, and sill clip all preferably include aluminum alloy extrusions. The sill clip connects the sill horizontal to the sill flashing without through fasteners.

Abstract: A face plate is disclosed for concealing the exposed edge of a lock mechanism when installed within the lock stile of a door. To accommodate the plunger and deadbolt of the lock mechanism, the face plate comprises a plurality of separation lines defining removable portions or "knockouts" corresponding to various lock configurations. Depending upon the configuration of the lock mechanism being used, a corresponding one or combination of the removable portions can be removed to accommodate the particular lock mechanism. In addition, the face plate comprises tabs at the upper and lower edges which hook beneath the vertical edge wall of the door stile adjacent the upper and lower ends of the opening within which the lock mechanism is installed. The tabs hold the upper and lower edges of the lock plate with the opening and can either reduce the number of screws required to secure the face plate to the door or can eliminate the need for screws altogether.

Abstract: A self-sealing framing system is disclosed for curtainwalls, storefronts, and other framing systems for buildings in which frame members are erected in a grid and infill panels set within the openings of the grid. An elastomeric weathering gasket is mounted to a first frame member such that a portion of the weathering gasket overlies a recess formed in a side wall of the frame member. In an undeformed condition the elastomeric weathering gasket normally extends through a plane defined by the side wall of the first frame member. A second frame member oriented substantially perpendicular to the first frame member has an end abutting the side wall of the first frame member. The end of the second frame member contacts the elastomeric weathering gasket and displaces it onto one side of the plane by the contact with the end of the second frame member. A portion of the weathering gasket is displaced into the recess in the side wall of the first frame member.

Abstract: An improved joint construction for commercial metal doors is disclosed which utilizes a novel force transfer block. The force transfer block has spaced-apart flanges which engage corresponding reglets in a door stile. The inner faces of the flanges bear against the inner walls of the reglets. The flanges of the force transfer block are configured such that they will retain the block on the stile by way of an interference fit with the walls of the reglet. Thus the block does not have to be separately fastened to the stile. A rail abuts the stile and has a recessed portion into which the block is received. A threaded rod extends through the rail and into the stile, and tightening a threaded fastener onto each end of the rod clamps the rail securely between two stiles. The recessed portion of the rail has surfaces bearing snugly against at least two sides of the block such that twisting forces applied to the rail are transferred to the block.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed for glazing a last lite into a window opening between two previously installed lites. Retainers are installed onto the adjacent vertical edges of the two previously installed lites. The retainers are configured such that the last lite can be pivoted into position against a transverse flange of the retainer without obstruction. Subsequent to the last lite being set, frame members are engaged with the retainers, thereby capturing the edges of the last lite between the retainers and the corresponding frame members. The last lite is then structurally bonded to the frame members. The entire last lite glazing sequence can be accomplished quickly and easily from inside the building.

Abstract: An improved pressure plate for glazed panel wall construction is disclosed for retaining a glazing panel in place against a corresponding frame member. A gasket element is bonded to the pressure plate and confronts an exterior marginal portion of the glazing panel to retain the glazing panel in place against the frame member. In the disclosed embodiment, the gasket element is comprised of an elastomeric material which is formed integrally with, and preferably coextruded with, the pressure plate. Also in the disclosed embodiment a compression seal bonded to the pressure plate is interposed between the pressure plate and the frame member to thermally isolate the pressure plate from the frame member and to provide a watertight seal. Again, the compression seal of the disclosed embodiment is formed integrally with, and preferably coextruded with, the pressure plate.

Abstract: An adjustable setting block assembly is disclosed for supporting and leveling infill panels such as window panes and the like. The setting block assembly includes a setting block and a thrust plate positioned adjacent the lower surface of the block. A bolt is threadingly engaged within a threaded bore in the block, and the bolt has a tip which bears against the thrust plate as the bolt is advanced within the threaded bore. A load exerted on the upper surface of the block, such as by a glass light resting on the block, is thus supported by the tip of the bolt bearing against the thrust plate. In the disclosed embodiment the tip of the bolt which bears against the thrust plate is radiused to facilitate limited pivotable movement between the bolt and the thrust plate. Also in the disclosed embodiment a pad is imposed against the upper surface of the block to provide a cushioned surface for supporting the glass lite.

Abstract: A temporary glazing panel retainer is disclosed for use in a glazed panel wall construction. The glazing panel retainer engages a glazing clip mounted onto the face of a frame member to maintain glazing panels within their respective glazing recesses on either side of the frame member during assembly of the wall construction. The retainer is configured to be concealed beneath a cover member such that the retainer does not have to be removed to install the cover member.

Abstract: An adjustable astragal weathering for operable doors and windows is disclosed. The weathering comprises a carrier configured to be received within a groove formed in a lateral edge of a door or window. A weathering element is mounted to the carrier and projects outward therefrom. The head portion of a threaded fastener is configured to be received within a channel formed in the carrier. The head portion of the threaded fastener is captured within the channel such that tightening the threaded fastener will retract the weathering element into the lateral edge of the door and such that backing out the threaded fastener will extend the weathering from the lateral edge of the door.

Abstract: An insulating composite frame member is disclosed which comprises an elongated gutter member and an elongated face member disposed in parallel, spaced apart relation. First and second facing flanges project toward one another from the gutter member and the face member respectively. A thermal isolator comprised of a thermally insulating material has first and second jaw-like clamps formed on opposite sides thereof which engage the first and second facing flanges respectively to secure the gutter member and the face member to the isolator. The frame member further includes means formed on the gutter member and the face member for crimping against the clamps of the isolator to lock the isolator to the gutter member and the face member. In the disclosed embodiment the isolator is adhesively bonded to the gutter member and to the frame member in addition to the mechanical coupling provided by the jaw-like clamps of the isolator.

Abstract: A gasket for mounting to a pivotably mounted structure such as an operable window or door is disclosed. The gasket comprises a rigid body member comprised of a first material. A flexible hinge is formed integrally with a lower portion of the rigid body member, the flexible hinge being formed of a second material which is less rigid than the first material comprising the rigid body member. A rigid wiper is formed integrally with a lower portion of the flexible hinge and extending downward therefrom, the rigid wiper being formed of a third material which is more rigid than the second material comprising the flexible hinge. The disclosed gasket reduces the amount of drag created as the window or door is operated, thereby facilitating operation of the window or door.

Abstract: A flush mount door pull is disclosed which is secured within the face of a door in such a manner that there are no exposed fasteners. The disclosed flush mount door pull is further mounted in a manner which resists premature loosening of the fasteners and which substantially eliminates the possibility that the threads of the fasteners or of the threaded bores associated with the door pull will strip. In a further aspect of the invention, the disclosed flush door pull handle can be easily adapted to match the color and texture of the door panel within which it is mounted.

Abstract: A glazing pocket filler is disclosed for use with a frame member having a glazing pocket of predetermined width for receiving a lateral edge of an infill panel. The glazing pocket filler comprises a filler panel having a length substantially corresponding to the width of the glazing pocket. A spring leg extends inward and forward from the filler panel and has a bearing surface located at a forward end thereof. The spring leg is configured such that when the filler panel is positioned across the glazing pocket, the bearing surface of the spring leg engages an inwardly convex portion of the frame member's forward glazing pocket wall to bias the rearward edge of the filler panel into engagement with the interior glazing pocket edge formation. Simultaneously the spring leg biases the inward face of the filler panel snugly against the outer edges of the frame member's front and rear glazing pocket walls. In this manner the filler panel is maintained in close engagement with the frame member.

Abstract: A mullion framework provides an improved configuration for mounting solid and glass panels, which is effective in mounting panels abutting fixed sills and headers. An improved universal bracket is also provided which allows for panel expansion or contractions due to thermal cycling. The brackets allow for an improved assembly method for installing solid panels underneath headers.

Abstract: A framing system is disclosed which includes a frame member and a slide on cover. The frame member has an interior portion, an exterior portion, and at least one glazing pocket defined between the interior and exterior portions, the glazing pocket being configured to receive a lateral edge of a glazing panel therewithin. The cover is configured to engage the exterior portion of the frame member and has a gasket mounting means thereon configured to engage a glazing gasket for bearing against an exterior marginal edge of a glazing panel received within the glazing pocket. When a glazing gasket engages the gasket mounting means and bears against an exterior marginal edge of a glazing panel received within the glazing pocket, it exerts an outward force on the cover which biases the cover into snug engagement with the exterior portion of the frame member so as to secure the cover with respect to the frame member.

Abstract: A retainer and weatherseal for structurally bonded glazing, which includes an elongate retainer profile having a generally H-shaped transverse cross section, thereby forming a pair of elongate U-shaped retaining channels; and securing device for securing the profile coextensively along a curtainwall framing member, such that one side of the pair of retaining channels is urged against the framing member. The retainer may be in combination with a curtainwall framing member, which includes a framing member having securing device longitudinally along the outward face of the framing member, for receiving the securing device and which are reciprocally configured, the retainer being secured to the framing member with the securing device interlocked in the securing device. The retainer and framing member combination are utilized in a curtainwall framing system having structurally bonded glazing wherein each of the intermediate vertical framing members of the system include the retainer and framing member.

Abstract: An improved adjustable center door pivot assembly is disclosed which can be mounted to a threshold without the need for a separate mounting bracket. The adjustable center pivot assembly permits the height of the pivot spindle to be adjusted without removing the door. Further, the height of the adjustable center pivot assembly which projects above the threshold is sufficiently short that the pivot assembly can be used with a standard door having a standard 21/32" web.

Abstract: A clip is disclosed for mounting a flush plate such as a mounting tray or the like within a corresponding opening in an extruded frame member such as a transom bar, door frame, or the like. The clip includes a pair of tongue members held together in spaced apart relation by an interconnecting bridge member. The tongue members are inserted into corresponding channels defined in the extruded frame member adjacent the opening, and when the clip is thus mounted to the frame member, a portion of the clip extends into the opening. In the disclosed embodiment, the bridge member is located to abut the end of the extruded frame member to limit the depth to which the clip is inserted into the channels. With the clips thus mounted, the flush plate is fastened to the clips to secure the flush plate to the extruded frame member. The clip is less expensive to produce than two corresponding single tongued clips and requires only one installation step rather than two.

Abstract: A vertical exterior weather seal for use in an adhesively glazed curtain wall system has opposing gasket members formed on either side of a central stem. The rear edge of the stem is received within a channel formed in the front wall of a frame member, and splines formed on the sides of the stem adjacent its rear edge engage the walls of the channel to retain the weather seal in place. A pair of curtain wall panels are butt-glazed to the front wall of the framing member on opposing sides of the weather seal, and the tubular gasket members on either side of the stem bear against the mutually facing lateral edges of the adjacent curtain wall panels to seal the joint between the panels. Because the weather seal requires only that a channel be provided on the front wall of the mullion, the seal is easily adapted to a wide variety of mullion configurations.