Abstract: A method of converting single pane glass to multiple pane hermetically sealed insulating glass without removing the existing glass sash and frame by using a preformed elastomeric (neoprene) glazing gasket as a mechanical seal. The preformed neoprene rubber seal glazing gasket is supported on a suitable frame of metal, aluminum, or other construction material. The glazing gasket support frame is attached to the existing sash or frame with suitable fastner. The preformed elastomeric glazing gasket is mechanically compressed against the existing lite of glass by the force of the fastner when the support frame is tightened against the existing sash or frame. This mechanical compression of the preformed elastomeric glazing gasket against the existing lite of glass forms a seal that is impervious to air and water vapor. The preformed elastomeric glazing gasket is grooved for support of the second lite of glass that is required to form the multiple pane hermetically sealed insulating glass unit.

Abstract: A spacer for a glass sealed unit being characterized by an inner wall having a slit along the median line, both sides of the slit being formed by a fold having their apex adjacent to one another, two lateral walls adjacent the outer wall of the spacer forming a recess relative to the remaining lateral sides of the spacer, an interlock member for connecting two ends of two spacers at right angle, the interlock member has two legs disposed at right angle, each leg has a U-shaped cross-section, each leg penetrating inside each adjacent end of the spacers so that the base of the U-shaped cross-section lies between the lateral walls of the spacer and the free edges of the sides of the U-shaped cross-section lie outside the free edges of the folds.

Abstract: A double-glazed window is readily made by installing onto an existing window a spacing frame containing a desiccant and joining a matching pane of glass to the spacer around the periphery thereof, thereby making an air tight seal about the air between the glass panes, with the desiccant in the spacing frame or in a portion thereof being communicable with the air between the panes so as to remove moisture from it to prevent undesirable condensation. The described double-glazed windows are readily installed by the homeowner, using a kit of materials for construction of the spacing frame and installation thereof.

Abstract: Improved thermal insulation between the inside of a building and the outside environment is provided by a multiple-glazed window comprising two transparent glass sheets, an exterior sheet and an interior sheet, spaced from each other and joined about their edges to form a sealed, enclosed space between them as the exterior sheet is a heat-absorbing glass having an infrared reflecting, transparent film of tin oxide disposed on its surface which faces the interior glass sheet in the window.

Abstract: An improved insulating spacer to reduce the heat transfer between the two panes of glass of double insulated glass comprises an extruded or roll-formed metal spacer together with plastic insulating elements which thermally isolate the metal spacer from the panes of glass while permitting conventional application of the sealant to provide reliable bonding. On one embodiment the plastic insulator comprises an extruded plastic overlay which fits tightly over part of a conventional metal spacer and has projecting contacts which abut the glass. In an alternative design the plastic insulator comprises extruded plastic strips which are attached through grooves in the metal spacer. In both designs the height of the insulating contact element can be selected to correspond to the desired gap width between the two glass plates.

Abstract: A gasket construction for mounting a plurality of panes or panel members within a frame comprises a gasket member having a one-piece body, and a desiccant material incorporated in the one-piece body. The gasket body has at least one spacer wall section formed integrally therewith to provide a plurality of continuous peripheral grooves for receiving the panel members in parallel, closely spaced planes with an enclosed space formed therebetween. Means are provided for communicating the desiccant material with the enclosed space or spaces to prevent the generation and presence of condensation on the interior surfaces of the panel members.

Abstract: A light transmitting panel composed of at least two panes held in spaced relation by a spacer assembly to define at least one space between panes is given improved sound damping properties by employing panes which exhibit at least two different masses per unit surface area, by causing the space between panes to be sealed from the external atmosphere, and by filling this space with a gaseous medium whose composition is such that the velocity of sound propagation therethrough is different from that in dry air at the same pressure and temperature as the medium.

Abstract: A light transmitting panel composed of at least two panes held in spaced relation by a spacer assembly to define at least one space between panes is given improved sound damping properties by giving such space a thickness of greater than 9mm, by causing the space between panes to be sealed from the external atmosphere, and by filling this space with a gaseous medium composed of air and at least one other gas, the air constituting at least 30%, by volume, of the medium, and whose composition is such that the velocity of sound propagation therethrough differs by at least 5% from that in dry air at the same pressure and temperature as the medium.

Abstract: Disclosed is an insulating, hermetically sealed, glazing unit comprised of a transparent, strengthened glass panel and a metal panel disposed in opposed, spaced relation to each other, marginal edge spacing means defining with said panel a continuous, hermetically sealed space therebetween and desiccant material in communication with said space between said panels.

Abstract: A solar heat collector has a breather tube provided on the absorber plate to provide communication between the ambient air and air in the airspace of the collector through desiccant material. In this manner, the air pressure in the airspace is equalized to the ambient air pressure without moisture moving into the airspace and the desiccant material is regenerated.

Abstract: A solar heat collector unit includes a solar heat collector having thermal-insulating material, e.g., fiber glass, provided against the outer absorber surface and a protective sheet over the insulating material. A generally U-shaped channel member is provided around the peripheral edges of the collector and protective sheet. The legs of the channel member engage the outer cover plate of the collector and the protective sheet to urge the collector and the protective sheet together about the thermal-insulating material.

Abstract: A solar heat collector includes a solar energy absorber having a pan-shaped configuration and a cover plate. The sidewalls of the absorber supports the cover plate in spaced relation to the base of the pan-shaped absorber thereby eliminating the need of a spacer frame.

Abstract: A roof for a motor vehicle, particularly a passenger motor vehicle which possesses an area to be opened intermediate the windshield and a roll-over girder disposed within the area of the rear window; the area to be opened in the roof is subdivided into two sections which are adapted to be displaced telescopically and can be retracted one within the other into the area of the roll-over girder so as to be completely covered by the outer member of the roll-over girder; the roll-over girder together with the outer covering member thereby preferably forms a hollow body.

Abstract: The composite wall element of this invention comprises an insulating wall element arranged within or inserted into an outer, pressure resistant, preferably load bearing wall element which completely encloses the former. Within the inner insulating wall element and/or the cavity within the outer wall element a substantially dry gas atmosphere and preferably air atmosphere is established and maintained under sub-atmospheric, atmospheric, or superatmospheric pressure. Such novel composite wall elements are superior in their thermal and/or acoustic insulation properties to heretofore known structural elements.

Abstract: A solar heat collector has a breather tube to provide communication between the ambient air and air in the airspace of the collector through desiccant material. In this manner, the air pressure in the airspace is equalized to the ambient air pressure without moisture moving into the airspace and the desicant material is regenerated.

Abstract: A wall unit comprising panels lying at opposite faces of said unit, a seal arranged between the margins of said panels, and an insulation occupying the cavity between said panels, wherein the improvement comprises at least one insulating group extending parallel to said panels and comprising two foils capable of reflecting thermal radiation and chambers lying between said foils, the walls of which consist of insulating material. The cavity between said panels may be evacuated or it may be filled with dry air or a dry gas.

Abstract: A solar heat collector of the type having a pair of tempered glass sheets mounted in spaced relation to each other and to a solar energy and infrared absorber is provided with a vapor-impervious and moisture-impervious seal. The seal includes (1) a moisture-impervious adhesive to prevent moisture from moving between the glass sheets and absorber and (2) a vapor-impervious strip, e.g., an aluminum strip mounted between the adhesive and peripheral edge portions of the glass sheets and absorber to prevent solvent vapors of the adhesive from moving between the glass sheets and absorber.

Abstract: A solar collector includes (1) an outer glass plate and an intermediate glass plate maintained in spaced relation by a first spacer assembly and (2) a solar energy absorber maintained in spaced relation to the intermediate cover plate by a second spacer assembly and a layer of thermal-insulating material, e.g., cork. The layer of cork is provided between the second spacer assembly and the marginal edge portions of the absorber to minimize conduction heat losses from the absorber to the spacer assembly.

Abstract: A solar heat collector is disclosed having an outer cover plate, an intermediate cover plate and a solar radiation absorber mounted in spaced relation to each other by edge packing. The edge packing (1) removes moisture from the air space between the cover plates and absorber and (2) prevents moisture from entering the air space between the cover plates and the absorber.

Abstract: An additional pane is added to an existing glazing installation to provide an insulating, sealed airspace therebetween.

Abstract: An acoustically and thermally insulated window structure comprising two outer panes and at least one inner pane with an outer spacer interposed between the outer panes and at least one further spacer defining a gap between inner panes when a plurality of the latter are provided. One of the inner panes is spaced at a predetermined relatively small distance from a corresponding outer pane and a body of moisture-absorbent material is disposed in fluid communication with a space within the inner panes.

Abstract: The composite wall element of this invention comprises an insulating wall element arranged within or inserted into an outer, pressure resistant, preferably load bearing wall element which completely encloses the former. Within the inner insulating wall element and/or the cavity within the outer wall element a substantially dry gas atmosphere and preferably air atmosphere is established and maintained under subatmospheric, atmospheric, or superatmospheric pressure. Such novel composite wall elements are superior in their thermal and/or acoustic insulation properties to heretofore known structural elements.