Abstract: A mullion for a window frame is formed by two frame members back to back to form the mullion. The facing surfaces are connected by providing aligned first and second recesses therein where each of the recesses has a mouth at the which is narrower than a base and has a connecting member along the aligned recesses with a portion of the connecting member within each recess as a loose fit. Each connecting member has associated with it an insert member with an insert portion between the outer surfaces of the first and second frame members forcing the outer surfaces apart to tighten the connecting member and a cover portion covering a junction between the side surfaces.

Abstract: A method for forming a pultruded part includes collating reinforcing fibers by providing a first layer of reinforcing rovings extending in the longitudinal pultrusion direction, applying onto the first layer an intermediate layer of reinforcing fibers at least some of which include at least portions thereof which extend in the transverse direction and covering the intermediate layer with a second layer of rovings extending in the longitudinal direction. Alternatively the transverse fiber layer is formed on the inside surface of a hollow part. To the collated fibers is applied a urethane resin so as to permeate through the layers and the materials are passed through a die to form a thermo-set cross-linked poly-urethane. The transverse layer or layers are relatively thin having a weight less than or equal to 0.5 ounces per square foot and more preferably as low as 0.25 ounces or 0.1 ounces.

Abstract: A method for forming a pultruded part includes collating reinforcing fibers by providing a first layer of reinforcing rovings extending in the longitudinal pultrusion direction, applying onto the first layer an intermediate layer of reinforcing fibers at least some of which include at least portions thereof which extend in the transverse direction and covering the intermediate layer with a second layer of rovings extending in the longitudinal direction. To the collated fibers is applied a resin so as to permeate through the layers and the materials are passed through a die to set the resin. The first and second layers are arranged to form first and second opposed surfaces of the part with the intermediate layer therebetween.

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 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 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.