Abstract: A sliding door assembly has a frame with a movable panel and a fixed panel. The movable panel has a pair of rollers that roll along a header located above the panels with the rollers attached to the movable panel via posts that pass through a channel on the header. The posts pass through a curved section of the channel whenever the movable panel is proximate its closed position and a straight section of channel when the movable panel is traveling laterally. The movable panel presses against a gasket located on the frame components surrounding the movable panel wherein one or more latches press the movable panel against the gasket whenever this panel is in the closed position. Valve is positioned within a weep hole on the threshold in order to prevent water from seeping into the building via the bottom of the door assembly.

Abstract: A flexible edge seal is provided for a vacuum insulating glazing unit having a first glass pane and a second glass pane spaced-apart from the first. The edge seal comprises a seal member formed of a hermetically bondable material and having a first end, a second end and a center section disposed therebetween. The first end is hermetically bondable to a first glass pane. The second end is hermetically bondable to a second glass pane. The center section comprises a plurality of convolutes.

Abstract: A Vacuum Insulating Glazing Unit (VIGU) comprises two or more glass lites (panes) spaced apart from one another and hermetically bonded to an edge seal assembly therebetween. The resulting cavity between the lites is evacuated to create at least one insulating vacuum cavity within which are disposed a plurality of stand-off members to maintain separation between the lites. The edge seal assembly is preferably compliant in the longitudinal (i.e., edgewise) direction to allow longitudinal relative motion between the two lites (e.g., from thermal expansion). The longitudinal compliance may be obtained by imprinting a three-dimensional pattern into the edge seal material. The edge seal assembly is preferably bonded to the lites with a first bond portion that is hermetic and a second bond portion that is load-resistant. Methods for producing VIGUs and/or compliant edge seal assemblies and VIGU and edge seal apparatus are disclosed.

Abstract: A flexible edge seal for a vacuum insulating glazing unit. The flexible edge seal comprises an elongate first edge seal portion having a substantially constant first cross-section and including a bonding flange at one end, a weld surface at the other end and a first center portion therebetween. An elongate second edge seal portion has a substantially constant second cross-section and includes a bonding flange at one end, a weld surface at the other end and a second center portion therebetween. Each bonding flange includes a substantially flat portion adapted for hermetic bonding to a surface of a different one of a pair of glass panes. The weld surfaces are hermetically joined to one another forming a hermetic seal therebetween. At least one of the first center portion and the second center portion has a convolute cross-section and is asymmetrical to the other center portion.

Abstract: An internally powered sliding panel has a power source and drive train contained internally within the stiles and rails of a frame. A driven wheel is rotatably mounted on the frame and connected to the power source via the drive train. The panel may further include a lift system including a second power source, a lift mechanism, and a lift drive which are contained internally within the stiles and rails of the frame. The power sources, drive train, lift mechanism, and lift drive may be contained completely inside the stiles and rails of the frame. The movement of the panel along a fixed path, and the raising and lowering of the panel, may be regulated by a control system. The control system includes a microcontroller and sensor used to determine the position of the panel.

Abstract: Techniques are described that for reducing the cost and labor associated with replacing a balance system in a window assembly if the balance system fails or needs to be upgraded. In one example, a window jamb liner assembly comprises an elongated jamb liner comprising a back wall, first and second spaced-apart interior track walls extending from the back wall, and first and second spaced-apart exterior track walls extending from the back wall, wherein the first and second spaced-apart interior track walls define an interior track, wherein the first and second spaced-apart exterior track walls define an exterior track, wherein the first and second spaced-apart interior track walls and the first and second spaced-apart exterior track walls extend substantially perpendicular to the back wall, wherein the second interior track wall terminates at a first top edge, and wherein the second exterior track wall terminates at a second top edge.

Abstract: A flexible edge seal is provided for a vacuum insulating glazing unit having a first glass pane and a second glass pane spaced-apart from the first. The edge seal comprises a seal member formed of a hermetically bondable material and having a first end, a second end and a center section disposed therebetween. The first end is hermetically bondable to a first glass pane. The second end is hermetically bondable to a second glass pane. The center section comprises a plurality of convolutes.

Abstract: Disclosed is a bridging member, formed of flexible or non-flexible material, for use with a curtain wall system for building exteriors. The curtain wall system includes a vertical mullion operable to attach to a horizontal member. A sealing member is secured in a void created by the intersection of the vertical mullion and the horizontal member. The sealing member includes a substantially planar top surface and a lip portion extending from a bottom surface of the sealing member.

Abstract: A fire retardant panel door, including a panel door having at least one door panel and stiles and rails. The door panel includes an interior composite section formed by a first plurality of layers of intumescent materials and a first plurality of layers of fire resistant materials disposed between and laminated to a first pair of outer coverings to form a composite laminated door panel. Each of the stiles includes a first core formed of an incombustible material and a second plurality of layers of intumescent materials and a second outer covering to form a composite laminated stile. Each of the rails includes a second core formed of an incombustible material and a third plurality of layers of intumescent materials and a third outer covering to form a composite laminated rail.

Abstract: A construction block which has improved thermal insulation qualities, has improved sound transmission migration reduction properties, and which reduces or outright eliminates the effects of a seam failure. The construction block is comprised of a pair of generally parallel faces joined by a plurality of sides. At least one baffle is disposed within the interior chamber and is located along the weld seam that joins the two body member halves of the construction block. A desiccant or insulation gas, or both can be disposed within the interior chamber of the block.

Abstract: A sealing system connects a panel to a frame and includes an anchor and a pair of opposing docking collars. The anchor extends from the frame or panel, and the opposing docking collars are disposed within a guide portion in the other of the frame or panel. The sealing system has an unlocked configuration and a locked configuration. In the unlocked configuration, the panel moves relative to the frame along a plane substantially parallel to a longitudinal axis of the anchor. In the locked configuration, the anchor is positioned between the docking collars, and the anchor is engaged by the docking collars to prevent movement of the panel relative to the frame along the plane.

Abstract: A combined sealing system for connecting a panel to a frame includes a first sealing system and a second sealing system. The first sealing system connects a first surface of the panel to a first surface of the frame, and the second sealing system connects a second surface of the panel to a second surface of the frame. The combined sealing system has an unlocked configuration and a locked configuration. In the unlocked configuration, the panel moves relative to the frame along a plane substantially parallel to a longitudinal axis of the first or second surfaces of the frame. In the locked configuration, each of the first and second sealing systems separately prevent movement of the panel relative to the frame along the plane.

Abstract: A closing system for moving a sealing system between an unlocked configuration and a locked configuration includes first and second inner control members and first and second outer control members. The sealing system connects a panel to a frame and includes an anchor disposed between first and second opposing docking collars. The first and second inner control members are respectively connected to the first and second docking collars, and the first and second outer control members are respectively disposed proximate to the first and second inner control members.

Abstract: A glass holder for a jalousie window, including a body having two parallel side walls which define a slot, and two webs which extend substantially perpendicularly in opposite directions from a base of the slot walls. The body has a length and the webs each extend from a respective end of the body over a respective portion of the length of the body. Each web has an outer edge with a baffle that extends in a direction parallel the slot walls.

Abstract: In-floor, adjustable, track assembly for sliding panels with a build-in weep system, including a track, extending upward from a base, for engaging the undercarriage of a vertically-oriented panel, and supporting rectilinear motion therealong, an upright splash guard, parallel to and spaced slightly apart from one side of the upright track and forming, with the track, a channel therebetween with the base, for directing moisture from the bottom of the panel into the channel, at least one collection pan mounted under the channel and accessible through an aperture to collect moisture from the channel, and a hose for drawing off the moisture from the channel.

Abstract: An impact resistant glass structure having three spaced apart panes wherein an outermost pane is a monolithic glass sheet, a center pane is a plastic sheet such as a polycarbonate, and an innermost pane is a laminated glass having an annealed glass layer and a film layer such as polyester, the glass structure militating against penetration of the vertical plane when impacted by a projectile such as may occur during a wind storm.

Abstract: A replacement window having a window frame, the window frame having a window header, a window sill, a first frame jamb, and a second frame jamb, wherein the first frame jamb and the second frame jamb each connect the window header to the window frame and the window header, the window sill, and the first frame jamb and the second frame jamb define a window frame opening. A sash having a reinforced sash header may be movably positioned in the window frame opening. A reinforcement pin may be positioned adjacent to the reinforced first sash header of the sash, and a jamb retainer clip may be positioned adjacent to the first jamb, the jamb retainer clip defining a reinforcement pin orifice, wherein the reinforcement pin orifice receives the reinforcement pin.

Abstract: A replacement window having a window frame, the window frame having a window header, a window sill, a first frame jamb, and a second frame jamb, wherein the first frame jamb and the second frame jamb each connect the window header to the window frame and the window header, the window sill, and the first frame jamb and the second frame jamb define a window frame opening. A sash having a reinforced sash header may be movably positioned in the window frame opening. A reinforcement pin may be positioned adjacent to the reinforced first sash header of the sash, and a jamb retainer clip may be positioned adjacent to the first frame jamb, the jamb retainer clip defining a reinforcement pin orifice, wherein the reinforcement pin orifice receives the reinforcement pin.

Abstract: “A security window assembly comprising a frame having four members and a pane member securable within the frame. The bottom member of the frame contains a milled groove. The top member of the frame contains a stepped groove having a first groove of a first depth and a second groove of a second and deeper depth. The pane is installed by sliding it into the second depth groove to allow it clearance to then be installed in the bottom member groove. The pane can only be removed by sliding it into the second depth groove which removes the pane from the bottom member groove. When in place in the window, the pane is positioned within the bottom member groove and within the first depth groove of the top member. Clamps hold the pane in place.