A spacer frame assembly and method of assembly includes a substantially linear channel comprising two lateral walls and a base wall. The channel has first and second ends that when assembled, includes at least three sides and corresponding corners between each of said sides. The first end includes a connecting structure and the second end includes an opposite frame end. The opposite frame end has an opposite channel for receiving a nose portion of said connecting structure. The opposite channel includes stiffening flanges extending inwardly from the lateral walls relative to the channel. The connecting structure further includes a first aperture in the base wall comprising a first projection into the channel and the opposite channel comprises a second aperture in the base wall comprising a second projection into the channel. Wherein the first projection tactilely interweaves with the second projection when the spacer frame is assembled.

A single piece roll-formed frame comprising a first channel having a base section and one or more legs, each leg comprising an upper side extending from the base section at a first angle and a lower side extending from the upper side at a second angle, a second channel having a base section and one or more legs, each leg comprising an upper side extending from the base section at the first angle and a lower side extending from the upper side at the second angle and wherein the base section of the first channel and the base section of the second channel are formed from a single piece and intersect to form a third angle, and the upper side of each leg of the first channel overlaps the upper side of each leg of the second channel.

A single piece roll-formed frame comprising a first channel having a base section and one or more legs, each leg comprising an upper side extending from the base section at a first angle and a lower side extending from the upper side at a second angle, a second channel having a base section and one or more legs, each leg comprising an upper side extending from the base section at the first angle and a lower side extending from the upper side at the second angle and wherein the base section of the first channel and the base section of the second channel are formed from a single piece and intersect to form a third angle, and the upper side of each leg of the first channel overlaps the upper side of each leg of the second channel.

Method and Apparatus for fabricating a spacer frame for use in an insulating glass unit. One of a multiple number of possible spacer frame materials is chosen for the spacer frame. An elongated strip of the material is moved to a notching station where notches are formed at corner locations. The character of the notches is adjusted based on the selection of the metal strip material and more particularly to achieve bending of the material in an repeatable, straightforward manner. Downstream from the notching station the metal strip is bent into a channel shaped elongated frame member having side walls. Further downstream a leading strip of channel shaped material is severed or separated from succeeding material still passing through the notching and bending station.

An apparatus and method is provided for forming a spacer frame assembly used in the construction of insulating glass unit windows. The apparatus comprises a head arrangement having a body with first and second ends, the first end for coupling to a cylinder that advances and retracts the head arrangement in a reciprocating motion during operation. The second end includes an annular wedge-shaped ridge for coupling to a second annular wedge-shaped ridge of a die support, collectively the wedge-shaped ridge and second wedge-shaped ridge form a contact region to form a torus surface. The die support has at least one die for engaging a spacer frame assembly during operation. The apparatus further comprises a collar having a torus-shaped recess corresponding with the torus surface to nest and couple the body to the die support.

An apparatus and method is provided for forming folds at a corner in a spacer frame assembly used in the construction of insulating glass unit windows. The apparatus comprises a carriage supporting first and second crimping fingers. The crimping fingers are spaced about a path of travel for the passage of metal strips during operation. The apparatus comprises an encoder to determine a velocity of the strips, and a motor coupled to a ball screw assembly. The ball screw assembly moves the carriage during operation along the path of travel. The apparatus comprises an electrical gearing arrangement for accelerating the carriage along the path. The electrical gearing arrangement includes a controller and a double acting rack assembly, the controller being coupled to the motor, the encoder, and the double rack assembly. The double rack assembly simultaneously actuates the fingers at a direction substantially transverse to the path.

There is provided a metal insert for a weatherstrip seal comprising: an elongate central portion having a pair of spaced-apart lateral edges and a central longitudinal axis; at least one flap extending from one of the spaced-apart lateral edges, the at least one flap being folded at an angle relative to the elongate central portion about a folding axis generally parallel to the central longitudinal axis, the at least one flap comprising a plurality of fins spaced apart to define interstitial spaces between adjacent fins, each interstitial space comprising an inner end portion located near the central longitudinal portion and a notch extending from the inner end portion towards the central longitudinal axis and beyond the folding axis. There is also provided a weatherstrip seal including the metal insert and a method for manufacturing the metal insert.

There is provided a metal insert for a weatherstrip seal comprising: an elongate central portion having a pair of spaced-apart lateral edges and a central longitudinal axis; at least one flap extending from one of the spaced-apart lateral edges, the at least one flap being folded at an angle relative to the elongate central portion about a folding axis generally parallel to the central longitudinal axis, the at least one flap comprising a plurality of fins spaced apart to define interstitial spaces between adjacent fins, each interstitial space comprising an inner end portion located near the central longitudinal portion and a notch extending from the inner end portion towards the central longitudinal axis and beyond the folding axis. There is also provided a weatherstrip seal including the metal insert and a method for manufacturing the metal insert.

An automobile includes a body side panel including: a first pillar disposed rearward of a door of the automobile; a second pillar disposed rearward of the first pillar; an interior panel connecting the first pillar and the second pillar; a rear quarter panel attached to the exterior of the body side panel and forming a cavity between the rear quarter panel and the interior panel; and a retractable window disposed between the first pillar and the second pillar; wherein the retractable window is configured to move between a first position and a second position, the first position being defined by a roof of the automobile, the first pillar, and the second pillar, and the second position being inside the cavity.

An automobile includes a body side panel including: a first pillar disposed rearward of a door of the automobile; a second pillar disposed rearward of the first pillar; an interior panel connecting the first pillar and the second pillar; a rear quarter panel attached to the exterior of the body side panel and forming a cavity between the rear quarter panel and the interior panel; and a retractable window disposed between the first pillar and the second pillar; wherein the retractable window is configured to move between a first position and a second position, the first position being defined by a roof of the automobile, the first pillar, and the second pillar, and the second position being inside the cavity.