The present invention relates to a heat insulation and support structure between a moving window (sliding window) and a fixed window constituting a sliding window system, or between a moving window and another moving window. More particularly, the present invention relates to a window chassis insulating structure and a glass panel supporting (mounting) structure including technical improvements in a center bar portion in which a window chassis of a movable window and a fixed window (or other movable window) overlap each other when a sliding window of a two-side supporting frame window having a two-sided supporting frame for supporting only both sides of a glass window constituting a sliding window system, is closed.

The present invention relates to a heat insulation and support structure between a moving window (sliding window) and a fixed window constituting a sliding window system, or between a moving window and another moving window. More particularly, the present invention relates to a window chassis insulating structure and a glass panel supporting (mounting) structure including technical improvements in a center bar portion in which a window chassis of a movable window and a fixed window (or other movable window) overlap each other when a sliding window of a two-side supporting frame window having a two-sided supporting frame for supporting only both sides of a glass window constituting a sliding window system, is closed.

A metal door including a hinge stile having upper and lower ends, a lock stile having upper and lower ends, a top rail extending between the upper ends of the hinge and lock stiles, a bottom rail extending between the lower ends of the hinge and lock stiles, and an intermediate rail extending between the hinge and lock stiles above the bottom rail. The hinge stile, the lock stile, the top rail, the bottom rail and the intermediate rail having a unique construction which creates a thermal break therein. The door is mounted in a jamb which also has a unique construction which creates a thermal break therein.

A window installation and a wall panel and methods for construction thereof. The window installation includes a window liner in which a window unit can be installed. The window liner includes jambs, a header, and a sill that circumscribe the window unit and an exterior flange that depends outwardly from external edges thereof. The wall panel is a prefabricated panel that includes framing with sheathing and insulating members disposed on an exterior surface thereof and forms an opening in which the window liner is received. An external sheathing of the wall panel is formed with a larger opening dimensioned to receive the exterior flange of the window liner. The window liner and window unit can be removed from the wall panel to ease movement and transport of the wall panel and to reduce risks of breaking the window unit during manufacture and transport.

A window installation and a wall panel and methods for construction thereof. The window installation includes a window liner in which a window unit can be installed. The window liner includes jambs, a header, and a sill that circumscribe the window unit and an exterior flange that depends outwardly from external edges thereof. The wall panel is a prefabricated panel that includes framing with sheathing and insulating members disposed on an exterior surface thereof and forms an opening in which the window liner is received. An external sheathing of the wall panel is formed with a larger opening dimensioned to receive the exterior flange of the window liner. The window liner and window unit can be removed from the wall panel to ease movement and transport of the wall panel and to reduce risks of breaking the window unit during manufacture and transport.

A composite structure has a pair of parallel aluminum extrusions bridged by a polymer cap and defining a U-shape hollow. The hollow is filled with an expandable foam that adheres to and mechanically interdigitates with the extrusions, which have channels for receiving insertion legs of the extrusions and have extensions, which the foam encapsulates. End caps may be used to further delimit the hollow. The caps and the foam have a thermal conductivity less than that of the extrusions, providing a thermal break. An upper cap may be used and may incorporate features to compensate for the foam expansion. Excess foam may be trimmed. A forked tool may be used to hold the extrusions during joining.

A composite structure has a pair of parallel aluminum extrusions bridged by a polymer cap and defining a U-shape hollow. The hollow is filled with an expandable foam that adheres to and mechanically interdigitates with the extrusions, which have channels for receiving insertion legs of the extrusions and have extensions, which the foam encapsulates. End caps may be used to further delimit the hollow. The caps and the foam have a thermal conductivity less than that of the extrusions, providing a thermal break. An upper cap may be used and may incorporate features to compensate for the foam expansion. Excess foam may be trimmed. A forked tool may be used to hold the extrusions during joining.

A window includes a vacuum insulating glass (VIG) window unit in a window frame. The window frame includes at least one vacuum insulated structure (VIS) for improving the insulating functionality of the frame, so that the frame can adequately insulate the periphery of the VIG unit. Such windows may be used in residential and/or commercial window applications for buildings. The use of a window frame having at least one VIS is advantageous in that allows for improved window frame thermal performance and a narrow frame design if desired for improved aesthetics.

A structural panel includes a shell having spaced first and second exterior panels and frame members adjacent edges of the panels, and at least one polymeric sheet disposed between the exterior panels and bonded to an adjacent exterior panel. The polymeric sheet is made of a thermoplastic material and has a plurality of openings through its thickness spaced apart by flat wall portions of the polymeric sheet. Stiffeners are disposed between the polymeric sheets and are secured by polymeric end caps. The end caps are made of a thermoplastic material and have a plurality of openings through their thickness for receiving the stiffeners. A foam insulation material fills substantially all the space between the polymeric sheets, stiffeners, and frame members in the shell interior. At least one blast- or ballistic-resistant core layer may be disposed adjacent the at least one polymeric sheet.

A composite structure has a pair of parallel aluminum extrusions bridged by a polymer cap and defining a U-shape hollow. The hollow is filled with an expandable foam that adheres to and mechanically interdigitates with the extrusions, which have channels for receiving insertion legs of the extrusions and have extensions, which the foam encapsulates. End caps may be used to further delimit the hollow. The caps and the foam have a thermal conductivity less than that of the extrusions, providing a thermal break. An upper cap may be used and may incorporate features to compensate for the foam expansion. Excess foam may be trimmed. A forked tool may be used to hold the extrusions during joining.