Abstract: An insulative window assembly has a frame carrying a window pane closure and also a thermally insulative jalousie structure that when closed confines an air space with the window pane closure. The slats can be glass or opaque bodies that are molded or have casings carrying a foam, particulate or other insulation. Complementary edges of the slats seal and mechanically engage when closed. The pivot axes for the slats can be adjacent a lateral edge of the slats to cause the slats to cantilever from their pivots axes when open, for shading from the sun.

Abstract: A support brace is provided for structurally linking a sliding door to a surrounding structure. The support brace includes an elongate rail having a first end and a second end. The rail is fastened to a portion of the sliding door in spaced relation to the surrounding structure so that the first end is positioned adjacent to a top edge of the sliding door and the second end is positioned adjacent to a bottom edge of the sliding door. At least one bolt is slidingly secured to the rail, and includes a locking rod. The bolt is arranged so that it can be slid along the rail between a first position, where the locking rod projects beyond one of the first and second ends of the rail, and a second position where one of the first and second ends of the rail projects beyond the locking rod. At least one lock plate is also provided that includes an opening defined through a portion of the plate.

Abstract: An operator and secondary lock for a jalousie window includes a linkage with two toggle joints and a locking lever having a camming edge. The toggle joints assist in locking the window in its fully opened or fully closed position. The toggle joints are actuated by a lever mounted to the window frame so as to provide a mechanical advantage for operation of the jalousie window. The secondary lock engages a lower connecting bar when the windows are in their closed position to prevent opening of the windows by negative air pressure or by prying. The mechanical advantage afforded by the operator allows relatively heavy jalousie window louvers and associated moving components to be actuated over a tolerable range of actuating forces. In addition, brakes permit the louvers to be held frictionally at any fixed orientations between the fully opened and fully closed positions of the window.