Thermal break for curtain wall

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-2016265221-A1
Application number	US-201615164415-A
Country	US
Kind code	A1
Filing date	May 25, 2016
Priority date	Dec 14, 2011
Publication date	Sep 15, 2016
Grant date	—

Abstract

A curtain wall panel includes frame with a first frame member defining a channel, a cover configured to extend over the first frame member, a spacer formed of a thermally insulating material, the spacer including a first end, a body, and a second end, the first end being configured to be secured in the channel of the first frame member in a cammed interference fit by rotating a body of the spacer, and the second end being configured to form a cammed interference fit with the cover. An insert is supported from the first frame member by the spacer with the cover fit onto the spacer to capture and secure the insert relative to the frame.

First claim

We claim:

1 . A curtain wall panel including:
a frame assembly configured to be secured to an exterior surface of a building structure, the frame assembly having an inner portion and an outer portion, the inner portion including a first mullion, a second mullion, a sill, and a head; a first insert having a weight and being secured to the frame assembly between the inner and outer portions of the frame assembly; and a thermal break between the inner and outer portions of the frame assembly, the thermal break including a first structural spacer formed of a thermally insulating material, the first structural spacer securing the first insert to the frame assembly and supporting the weight of the first insert.

2 . The curtain wall panel of claim 1 , wherein the thermal break includes a second structural spacer formed of a thermally insulating material.

3 . The curtain wall panel of claim 1 , wherein the outer portion includes a plurality of cover members.

4 . The curtain wall panel of claim 1 , wherein the first insert is secured to the first structural spacer.

5 . The curtain wall panel of claim 1 , wherein the first structural spacer is secured to the first frame member free from any additional components.

6 . The curtain wall panel of claim 1 , wherein the first structural spacer is secured to the first frame member.

7 . The curtain wall panel of claim 6 , wherein the first structural spacer includes a first end, a body, and a second end, and wherein the first structural spacer is secured to the first frame member by inserting a first end of a first structural spacer into a spacer lock of the first frame member.

8 . The curtain wall panel of claim 7 , further comprising a first cover secured to the first structural spacer.

9 . The curtain wall panel of claim 7 , wherein the first cover is secured to the second end of the first structural spacer.

10 . The curtain wall panel of claim 1 , further comprising a second insert having a weight, and a second structural spacer formed of a thermally insulating material, wherein the frame further comprises an intermediate member extending between the first and second mullions, the intermediate member being positioned intermediate the head and the sill, and further wherein the second structural spacer is secured to the intermediate member, the second structural spacer securing the second insert to the frame and supporting the weight of the second insert.

11 . The curtain wall panel of claim 10 , further comprising a third structural spacer formed of a thermally insulating material and secured to the intermediate member, the first structural spacer being secured to the sill of the frame below the first insert, the second structural spacer being secured to the intermediate member below the second insert, and the third structural spacer being secured to the intermediate member below the second structural spacer.

12 . The curtain wall panel of claim 11 , further comprising an intermediate cover defining a channel adapted to form an interference fit with each of the second and third structural spacers.

13 . The curtain wall panel of claim 1 , wherein the thermally insulating material is a fiberglass material including a reinforcing mat.

14 . The curtain wall panel of claim 1 , wherein the thermally insulating material includes a plurality of reinforcing mats.

15 . The curtain wall panel of claim 1 , wherein the first structural spacer is formed as a pultruded part.

16 . The curtain wall panel of claim 15 , wherein the pultruded part defines an exterior surface that includes heat set resin coating.

17 . A method of assembling of a curtain wall panel having a thermal break between an inner portion and an outer portion of a frame assembly, the method comprising:
securing the inner portion of the frame assembly to a building structure; inserting a first end of a first structural spacer into a spacer lock of a first frame member of the inner portion of the frame assembly, the spacer lock including a recess, the first structural spacer being formed of a thermally insulating material and including the first end, a body, a second end, and a catch; and securing a first insert relative to the first frame member by rotating the first structural spacer with the first end inserted into the spacer lock about the first end until the catch engages the recess of the spacer lock; and securing the outer portion of the frame assembly to the inner portion of the frame assembly, the first insert being secured between the inner and outer portions of the frame assembly such that a thermal break is defined between the inner and outer portions of the frame assembly and between the first insert and the first frame member.

18 . The method of claim 17 , wherein the first structural spacer is secured to the first frame member free from any additional components.

19 . The method of claim 17 , further comprising securing the first insert to the first frame member by securing a first cover to the first structural spacer.

20 . The method of claim 19 , wherein the first cover is secured to the second end of the first structural spacer.

21 . The method of claim 20 , wherein the first cover is cammed onto the second end of the first structural spacer, the first cover including a first catch and a wall including a second catch.

22 . The method of claim 21 , wherein the first cover is cammed onto the second end of the first structural spacer such that the second end of the first structural spacer engages the first catch and the second catch of the first cover.

Assignees

• Pella Corp

Inventors

• Magoon Robert D
• Hughes James Alan
• Smith Chris

Classifications

• E04B1/7629

  Details of the mechanical connection of the insulation to the wall · CPC title

• E04B1/7675

  Insulating linings for the interior face of exterior walls · CPC title

• E04B2001/7679

  Means preventing cold bridging at the junction of an exterior wall with an interior wall or a floor · CPC title

• E04B2/965 Primary

  Connections of mullions and transoms · CPC title

• E04B2/967

  Details of the cross-section of the mullions or transoms (E04B2/965 takes precedence) · CPC title