Abstract:
A sash member for housing a glass unit for a window or door comprising a main body and a non-separable glazing member extruded together with said main body as a single unit. The glazing member moves between an unlocked position and a locked position relative to the main body. A hinge preferably connects the non-separable glazing member to the main body, so as to allow movement of the glazing member between the locked and unlocked positions.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0001]     The present invention relates to window and door sash assemblies, including sash assemblies for a fixed lite or picture window assembly. More particularly, the present invention relates to a sash assembly having a glazing member that is integrally extruded with the sash assembly in an open configuration.  
         [0002]     A window or patio door sash assembly is typically comprised of a glass unit surrounded by a sash frame having horizontal sash members, referred to as sash rails, and vertical sash members, referred to as sash stiles. Once the framework of the sash members is connected together, the glass unit is placed therein. A glazing member, commonly referred to as a glazing bead, is then inserted into a receiving channel located within the sash members to provide a finished or more pleasing look to the window frame assembly. The glazing member is not typically needed to secure the glass unit within the window frame, but rather generally only serves an aesthetic purpose.  
         [0003]     As shown in  FIG. 1 , a typical prior art glazing member  2  has an L-shaped body that is designed to fit into a receiving channel  3  located within a window sash member  4 . Other shapes of glazing members can also be used, such as T-shaped or U-shaped. In the case of the L-shaped glazing member  2  shown in  FIG. 1 , the shorter horizontal leg  7  fits into the receiving channel  3 , while the longer vertical leg  5  of the glazing member  2  is parallel to the back or glazing leg  6  of the sash member  2 , and sits adjacent to the glass unit  8 . A caulking material such as silicon is typically provided between the glazing leg  6  and the glass unit  8  to hold the glass unit  8  in position and to seal against water or dust entering between the glass unit  8  and the sash assembly  2 .  
         [0004]     There are several drawbacks associated with incorporating known glazing members into window or door sash assemblies. Many window and/or door sash assemblies require that the glazing member and sash member be extruded or molded as two separate pieces, and attached together after extrusion or molding of the sash member and glazing member. However, separately manufacturing the glazing member, and then attaching it to each of the sash members of the window or door sash framework requires a significant amount of time. Moreover, it often requires costly manual labor due to the need for workers to properly position the glazing member within a sash member and to secure it to the window or door sash framework.  
         [0005]     Various methods and alternative window and/or door sash assemblies have been devised or created to address this problem. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,713,159 to Schmidt (“Schmidt”) discloses a plastic window sash member and glazing member that are extruded as one piece. More particularly, as shown in  FIG. 2  hereof, the glazing member  12  and window sash member  14  are connected together along a ridge  19 . Because the horizontal leg  16  of the glazing member  12  is designed to fit into the receiving channel  13 , the glazing member  12  and sash member  14  must first be separated from one another along ridge  19  before the glazing member  12  is capable of being positioned within the receiving channel  13 . There are still several drawbacks that result from constructing the Schmidt window assembly, however. For one, the glazing member  12  is not extruded in a position or configuration that is ready for installation. Rather, several steps are required before the glazing member  12  can be assembled with the window sash assembly. Namely, the glazing member  12  must be separated from the sash member  14 , properly positioned to fit within the channel  13  of the window sash member  14 , and then forced or otherwise inserted into the channel  13  to be retained thereon. The time it takes to cut away, remove, and then install the glazing member  12  into the window sash assembly can be a costly and added expense. Additionally, ensuring that the glazing member  12  is properly positioned so both ends of the glazing member  12  are flush with the window member sash requires additional time and the need for manual labor. Also, it is difficult with this arrangement to apply a caulking material against the glazing leg of the sash member  14 . All of these factors cut down on production volume and serve to increase overall costs.  
         [0006]     In view of the need to reduce manufacturing and assembly costs, including the elimination of the manual assembly of the glazing member  12  in a window or door sash assembly, it would therefore be beneficial to provide a new and improved window sash assembly that can be completely or substantially completely assembled by a machine.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0007]     The present invention is designed to overcome or minimize the shortcomings associated with prior art window assemblies by providing an improved sash assembly for a window or door wherein the main body of a sash member is integrally extruded together with a corresponding glazing member as one piece, such that once the sash member is extruded and then assembled into a frame, the frame can receive a glass unit therein as well as immediately secure the glazing member to the main body of the sash member. In this regard, the sash assembly in accordance with the present invention does not require the separation of a glazing member prior to its insertion into the framework of sash members of a sash assembly.  
         [0008]     In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, a sash member for housing a glass unit for a window or door comprises a main body and a non-separable glazing member extruded together with the main body as a single unit. The glazing member is constructed and arranged to move between an unlocked position and a locked position relative to the main body. Preferably, the glazing member is secured to the main body in the locked position when the glazing member is moved to the locked position. In a preferred embodiment of this aspect of the present invention, the glazing member is joined to the main body by means of an integral hinge which permits the movement of the glazing member between the unlocked and locked positions. Preferably, the integral hinge is a dual durometer hinge.  
         [0009]     In accordance with an additional preferred feature of this aspect of the present invention, the main body includes an overhang having a lip, and the glazing member comprises a primary leg and a secondary leg so that the secondary leg engages the lip of the overhang when the glazing member is in the locked position.  
         [0010]     In accordance with an additional preferred feature of this aspect of the present invention, the glazing member has a primary leg and a secondary leg that extends from the primary leg. The main body has a plurality of sides and a bridge that connects two of the plurality of sides, and an overhang having a lip. The overhang extends from one of the plurality of sides and across at least a portion of the bridge to create a recess. When the secondary leg is located within the recess and engages the lip, the secondary leg is secured to the main body.  
         [0011]     In accordance with a further aspect of the present invention, there is provided a sash member for housing a glass unit for a window or door. The sash member has a main body; a glazing member attached to the main body and extruded together with the main body as a single unit; and an attachment member for attaching the glazing member to the main body. The main body, the glazing member, and the attachment member are extruded together as a single unit. This prevents the glazing member from being separated from the main body. The glazing member is in an open configuration relative to the main body and is capable of moving to a closed configuration relative to the main body. In a preferred embodiment, the attachment member is a hinge that is in an extended position when the glazing member is in the locked configuration, and in a bent position when the glazing member is in the unlocked configuration. Preferably, the hinge is a dual durometer hinge.  
         [0012]     In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a sash member for housing a glass unit for a window or door which comprises a main body and a glazing member. The glazing member is integrally attached to the main body along a hinged portion and is movable from an insertion position relative to the main body to a glazing position relative to the main body by folding along the hinged portion. Preferably, the glazing member has a locking member that can be inserted into a recess in the main body so that the glazing member can be locked or secured in the glazing position. More preferably, the locking member is a secondary leg that extends from the glazing member, and the main body further includes an overhang that extends across at least a portion of the bridge so as to create a recess for the secondary leg when the glazing member is in the glazing position.  
         [0013]     In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a sash assembly for housing a glass unit for a window or door which comprises a plurality of sash members and an insulated glass unit. At least one of the plurality of sash members has a main body and a non-separable glazing member integrally extruded with the main body of the sash member as a single unit. The glazing member is attached to the main body of the sash member by a hinge so that the glazing member is capable of moving from a first open position relative to the main body to a second closed position, relative to the main body.  
         [0014]     Accordingly, various sash assemblies in accordance with the present invention are disclosed which overcome or minimize the shortcomings of the prior art. These and other features and characteristics of the present invention will be apparent from the following detailed description of preferred embodiments, which should be read in light of the accompanying drawings in which corresponding reference numbers refer to corresponding parts throughout the several views. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0015]      FIG. 1  is a cross-sectional perspective view of a prior art window sash member assembly showing a window sash member, a window sash glazing member and a window pane unit.  
         [0016]      FIG. 2  is a cross-sectional view of another prior art window sash member and an integrally formed glazing member.  
         [0017]      FIG. 3  is a cross-sectional view of a sash member and integral glazing member in accordance with the present invention, in which the glazing member is shown in an open configuration.  
         [0018]      FIG. 4  is a cross-sectional view of the window sash member and integral glazing member shown in  FIG. 3 , in which the glazing member is shown in a partially closed configuration.  
         [0019]      FIG. 5  is a cross-sectional view of the window sash member and integral glazing member shown in  FIG. 3 , in which the glazing member is shown in a fully closed configuration.  
         [0020]      FIG. 6  is a perspective cross-sectional view of a portion of a window sash assembly in accordance with the present invention, in which the window pane unit is positioned within the frame and the glazing members are in their open configuration.  
         [0021]      FIG. 7  is a perspective cross-sectional view of a portion of the window sash assembly shown in  FIG. 6 , but in which the glazing members are shown in their closed configuration.  
         [0022]      FIG. 8 . is a perspective view of a patio door assembly in accordance with the present invention, in which each of the sash members has an integral glazing member.  
         [0023]      FIG. 9  is a perspective view of a portion of the patio door assembly shown in  FIG. 8 . 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION  
       [0024]     In describing the preferred embodiments of the subject matter illustrated and to be described with respect to the drawings, specific terminology will be resorted to for the sake of clarity. However, the invention is not intended to be limited to the specific terms so selected and it is to be understood that each specific term includes all technical equivalents which operate in the same or a similar manner to accomplish the same or a similar purpose.  
         [0025]      FIG. 3  illustrates one example of a portion of a sash assembly in accordance with the present invention. In a preferred embodiment, the sash assembly is a sash member for a window, although the sash member may also be used to construct a door, or a fixed lite or picture window assembly. For ease of discussion, the embodiments will be described with reference to a window.  
         [0026]     The portion of the window sash assembly shown comprises a sash member  102  that further comprises a main body  104  having an integrally extruded glazing member  106  attached to it. As will be described in greater detail herein, once a framework (not shown) of sash members  102  is assembled together, an insulated glass unit  146  can be installed into the framework of sash members  102  to complete a window sash assembly. It should be appreciated that in accordance with the present invention, the sash member  102  can comprise either a horizontal sash member or a vertical sash member.  
         [0027]     The main body  104  of the sash member  102  has a plurality of sides. In a preferred embodiment, there are four sides with a bridge. The first side  112  of the main body  104  is located on the side which is to be opposite the insulated glass unit  146 . Channels  110 ,  114  may be incorporated into the first side  112  and are designed to receive insulation strips (not shown). The second side  108  of the main body  104  of the sash member  102  is preferably flat. The second side  108  includes a support wall  136  that extends beyond the third side  132 . As will be described in fuller detail herein, the support wall  136  is used to support the insulted glass unit  146  that is to be installed into the sash member  102 . Turning to the third side  132  of the sash member  102 , the support wall  136  of the second side  108  is located at one end and an overhang  128  is located at the other end. A bridge member or section  118  extends between the fourth side  116  and the third side  132  of the sash member  102 . Because the overhang  128  extends across a portion of the bridge member  118 , a recess  117  is created between the third and fourth sides  116 ,  132 . A locking stem  120  is preferably provided which is located on the bridge member  118  to divide the recess  117  into first and second recesses  119 ,  121 . The final and fourth side  116  of the main body  104  is opposed to the second side  108 . The preferably flat portion of the fourth side  116  does not extend the same distance as the second side  108 , but rather terminates at the point where the glazing member  106  is attached to the sash member  102 . As will be illustrated in further detail herein, however, when the glazing member  106  is in the closed configuration, the combined length of the fourth side  116  and the glazing member  106  will extend a distance that preferably corresponds to the overall height of the second side  108  of the main body  104 .  
         [0028]     The second primary component of the sash member  102  is the glazing member  106  which is integrally attached to one of the sides of the main body  104 , namely the fourth side  116 . The glazing member  106  is preferably comprised of a primary leg  115  that in its initial position, extends away from the fourth side  116  of the sash member  102 . The primary leg  115  is preferably slightly curved and tapers from its widest point where it is connected to the main body  104  of the sash member  102  to a preferably angled tip  123 . A secondary leg  126  also protrudes from the primary leg  115  at a point between the tip  123  of the glazing member  106  and the point where the primary leg  115  connects to the main body  104 . The secondary leg  126  has a rounded end and a locking ledge  125  which, as will be described in greater detail herein, helps to secure the glazing member  106  to the main body  104  of the sash member  102  without the need for adhesives or additional materials.  
         [0029]     The ability of the glazing member  106  to move from a first position to a second position is made possible through the use of a hinge that connects the glazing member  106  to the main body  104  of the sash member  102 , thereby permitting the glazing member  106  to move from an open or unlocked configuration to a closed or locked configuration (and vice versa). The type of hinge used is preferably a dual durometer hinge  113 . Dual durometer hinges are well known in the art, but are incorporated for the first time into a preferred embodiment of a sash member  102  in accordance with the present invention. Dual durometer hinges are typically formed using a coextrusion process. Coextrusion allows the hinge material to be partially formed from a softer material than the remainder of the sash member  102 , namely, the main body  104  and the glazing member  106 . Forming the hinge  113  from a softer material provides the dual durometer hinge  113  with enough flexibility to permit movement of the glazing member  106  from an open configuration to a closed configuration, but enough rigidity to prevent the glazing member  106  from easily breaking or being torn apart from the main body  104  of the sash member  102 . A dual durometer hinge, such as the hinge disclosed in expired U.S. Pat. No. 4,463,046 issued to Hutchinson on Jul. 31, 1984, which is hereby incorporated herein by reference, can be implemented in accordance with the present invention, although other types of dual durometer hinges could instead be employed.  
         [0030]     The glazing member  106  is adapted to move from its open or unlocked configuration to a closed or locked configuration when force is applied to the glazing member  106 . More particularly, when a force F 1  is applied to the glazing member  106  in the general direction shown in  FIG. 3 , the glazing member  106  will begin to move or pivot from its open or unlocked configuration towards a closed or locked configuration. Referring to  FIG. 4 , the glazing member  106  is shown in a partially closed configuration. In this position, the glazing member  106  is positioned so that the secondary leg  126  of the glazing member  106  is positioned closer to the recess  117  of the main body  104  of the sash member  102 . Although the flexibility of the dual durometer hinge  113  makes it is easy to position the secondary leg  126  at the entrance of the recess  117 , in the preferred embodiment, unless an additional force F 2  is applied to the glazing member  106  to force the secondary leg  126  into the recess  117 , and more particularly, the first recess  119  thereof, the secondary leg  126  will be unable to further advance into the first recess  119 . When additional force F 2  is applied to the glazing member  106 , the secondary leg  126  of the glazing member  106  will snap into the first recess  119  and into a closed configuration, such as shown in  FIG. 5 . It should be appreciated that two separate forces F 1  and F 2  are not required to move the glazing member  106  into a closed configuration, but are merely illustrated to demonstrate that a certain amount of force or pressure is required to snap the glazing member  106  into its final closed configuration. Thus, applying the appropriate amount of force to the glazing member  106  allows movement of the glazing member  106  to its closed or locked configuration.  
         [0031]     Referring to  FIG. 5 , the glazing member  106  is illustrated in its fully closed or locked configuration. The force applied to the glazing member  106  causes the secondary leg  126  of the glazing member  106  to push past the end or lip  130  of the overhang  128  so that the locking ledge  125  of the secondary leg  126  engages the end or lip  130  of the overhang  128 . The locking stem  120  on the bridge member  118  prevents further movement of the secondary leg  126  causing the secondary leg  126  to abut the locking stem  120 . In this position, the glazing member  106  remains securely attached to the main body  104  of the sash member  102 .  
         [0032]     When the glazing member  106  is in its closed or locked configuration, the tip  123  of the glazing member  106  is partially deformed at the location where the tip  123  of the glazing member  106  contacts the insulted glass unit  146 . As shown in  FIG. 5 , approximately 1/16″-⅛″ of the tip  123  becomes flattened. This excess amount of flattened material provides a greater surface area for the tip  123  of the glazing member  106  to contact the second side  144  of the insulated glass unit  146 . Although not required, this provides a secondary means for securing the insulated glass unit  146  in place.  
         [0033]     Once the locking ledge  125  of the secondary leg  126  of the glazing member  106  engages the lip  130 , the glazing member  106  is secured closed. Another force (not illustrated) would be required if it is desired to remove the glazing member  106  away from and out of the recess  117  of the sash member  102 .  
         [0034]     The glazing member  106  is an important aspect in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present embodiment. When using and assembling window sash members having glazing members  106  in accordance with the present invention, it is possible to substantially completely automate the process of assembling a fully completed sash assembly. Unlike the prior art, the glazing member  106  shown in  FIG. 3  is preferably integrally extruded as part of the sash member  102 . Extruding the glazing member  106  as part of the sash member  102  allows the glazing member  106  to be extruded together with the main body  104  of a sash member  102  in an open or unlocked configuration that is readily capable of receiving an insulated glass unit  146 . The advantage of such a sash member  102  is that the integrally extruded glazing member  106  eliminates the need to first obtain (by cutting, separate extrusion or molding) a separate glazing member, and second, to manually position and secure the glazing member  106  into the recess  117  of the sash member  102 . Substantially complete automation of the window sash assembly process is now possible because manual labor or the additional steps of positioning the glazing member  106 , applying adhesive, and then inserting it into the sash member  102 , are no longer necessary. Instead, the sash members  102  are extruded with the glazing member  106  in a first open or unlocked configuration, which will permit a machine to install an insulated glass unit  146 . Thereafter, a machine can raise or move the glazing member  106  into its closed or locked position.  
         [0035]     Preferably, the co-extrusion device uses a die head constructed and arranged so that the glazing member  106  will be extruded in its open or unlocked position, i.e. a position wherein the secondary leg  126  of the glazing member  106  and the lip  130  of the overhang  128  are not engaged with one another. Two streams of material are simultaneously fed through the die: a first stream of material that will form the main body portion and glazing member portions of the sash member  102  and a second stream of material having a different hardness that will form the dual durometer hinge  113  by which the glazing member  106  is attached to the main body  104 . Typically, the primary machine, which feeds the harder material, and the smaller side machine, which feeds the softer material, run in tandem with one another so as to simultaneously feed the two streams through the die. Once the two materials exit the die, they are able to bond together without the need for adhesives or the like, thereby allowing the formation of a sash member  102  having the glazing member  106  positioned in an open configuration relative to the main body  104 .  
         [0036]     In a preferred embodiment, the first stream fed through the die is a polyvinyl chloride, and the secondary stream is a softer polyvinyl chloride. It should be appreciated, however, that there are various other combinations of material that may be used in accordance with the present invention.  
         [0037]     When the newly bonded materials exit the die of the extrusion device, the device preferably cuts the material into an appropriate length of sash member  102 . Furthermore, the ends of the sash members  102  are preferably cut at angles so that the respective ends of the sash members  102  may be joined to other sash members  102  in a complementary fashion to form a corner. One or more extrusion devices may be used to prepare and provide sash members  102  of appropriate size.  
         [0038]     As illustrated and described herein, the sash members  102  are extruded so that the glazing members  106  are in their open or unlocked configuration. Referring to  FIG. 6 , once the individual sash members  102  are formed, they are joined at the corners in a suitable manner, such as by mitering and welding them together into the shape of a window frame. Similarly, as shown in  FIG. 6 , the ends  164  of the glazing members are not cut straight, but are angled or mitered. Once the sash members  102  are connected together, a frame  180  having glazing members  106  in their open configuration is formed, wherein the glazing members  106  of the sash stiles  160  (also referred to as sash members) and sash rails  162  (also referred to as sash members) are in an open configuration that allows an insulated glass unit  146  to be placed directly into the frame. The insulated glass unit  146  has first and second sides  142 , 144  and is preferably comprised of two glass panes and a spacer  145  located between the two glass panes. (See  FIG. 3 .) It should be appreciated that the insulated glass unit  146  may be constructed and arranged in accordance with known methods of constructing window panes.  
         [0039]     More particularly, when the sash members  102  are assembled together as a frame  180 , such as by mitering and welding, the inner surface of each of the support walls  136  is provided with a bead  139  of caulking material, such as silicon. This bead  139 , as best seen in  FIGS. 3-5 , is commonly referred to as a back bedding. The back bedding  139  preferably extends completely about the periphery of the frame  180  (see  FIG. 6 .) The insulated glass unit  146  is then placed within the frame  180  so that it rests against the back bedding  139  of caulking material provided on the support walls  136  of the main body members  104  about the periphery of the frame  180 . The back bedding  139  of silicon or other caulking material serves to hold the insulating glass unit  146  in place, and to provide a seal against water, dirt and dust from entering between the insulating glass unit  146  and the support wall  136  of the sash members  102 . In essence, the back bedding  139  fills the space between the insulating glass unit  146  and the support walls  136 . Preferably, ridges  138  are provided on the inner surface of each support wall  136  to provide an increased surface area so that the back bedding  139  will remain in place. (See  FIGS. 3 and 6 .)  
         [0040]     As best seen in  FIGS. 3-5 , the insulated glass unit  146  is preferably positioned so that the edges of the insulated glass unit  146  do not contact the third sides  132  of the sash members  102 . In the preferred embodiment, this is accomplished by placing a plurality of bumpers  134  on the third sides of the main bodies  104  of the sash members about all four sides of the frame  180 . The bumpers  134  are 1/16″-⅛″ thick, and at least two bumpers  134  are used per sash member  102 . Positioning the insulated glass unit  142  away from the third sides  132  of the sash members  102  (i.e., sash rail or sash stile) prevents the insulated glass unit  146  from prematurely cracking or breaking due to stress or undue pressure from the sash members  102 .  
         [0041]     Referring to  FIG. 7 , once the insulated glass unit  146  is positioned within the window frame  180 , the respective glazing members  106  may be moved or pivoted to their closed or locked position, wherein the secondary legs  126  are located within the respective first recesses  119 . In the closed positions, the glazing members  106  cause the length of the fourth sides  116  of the main body members  104  and the glazing members  106  to approximately equal the length of the second sides  108  of the main bodies  104 . (See  FIGS. 5 and 7 .) Furthermore, in the preferred embodiment, the tips  123  of the glazing members  106  will be located approximately at the same height as the spacers  145  located in the insulated glass unit  146 . This is best seen in  FIG. 5 .  
         [0042]     It should be appreciated that sash members  102  in accordance with this invention may be assembled together to form a frame  180  ( FIG. 6 ) using known methods of assembly, such as welding or the use of screws. The method of assembling sash members  102  in accordance with the present invention is therefore not limited to the steps disclosed herein, but could encompass all known methods of window assembly.  
         [0043]     As described herein, assembly of a window sash assembly in accordance with the present invention makes it possible to achieve substantially complete automation of the window assembly process. Once the window sash members  102  are extruded, a machine can assemble each of the window sash members  102  into the shape of a frame  180 . Because the glazing members  106  remain in their original open configuration once the frame  180  is assembled, a machine can apply the back bedding  139  of caulking material to the support walls  136  of the sash member  102 . Once the back bedding  139  is applied, and the insulated glass unit  146  is placed thereagainst in the window sash assembly, the insulated glass unit  146  will rest and be secured against or adjacent the support walls  136  of the main bodies  104  of the sash members  102 . See  FIGS. 3 and 6 . The glazing members  106  may then be moved from their open configurations to their closed configurations, best shown in  FIGS. 5 and 7 , by a machine arm or arms. Thus, the assembly process in accordance with the present invention can eliminate or at least minimize the need for manual assembly of the window sash assembly, and significantly reduce the cost and time for manufacturing window or door sash assemblies.  
         [0044]     It should be appreciated that the teachings herein are equally applicable for constructing door assemblies, such as the patio door assembly  200  shown in  FIG. 8 . Typical one or two-door patio door assemblies, such as shown in  FIG. 8 , are approximately 5 to 8 feet in width and 6 to 8 feet in height, such that each patio door panel is approximately 2.5 to 4 feet wide. The patio door assemblies may have one fixed door panel and one moveable door panel, or may have two moveable door panels. In  FIG. 8 , there is an outer frame  201  with one fixed patio door panel  202 , and an inner movable patio door panel  204  which is slidable relative to the fixed frame  200  and fixed patio door panel  202 .  
         [0045]      FIG. 9  shows a portion of the movable patio door  204  without the glass unit  146 . The movable patio door  204  is very similar to the window sash assembly previously described herein. The door sash members  205  each have a main body  206  and a glazing member  208  attached to the main body  206  by a dual durometer hinge  213 . The main body  206  may have a reinforcing bar  207  thereon, in accordance with the teaching of applicant&#39;s pending application U.S. Ser. No. 10/953,385 filed Sep. 29, 2004, the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference. The glazing member  208  can be constructed and arranged in accordance with the teachings described herein. The glazing members  208  are therefore capable of moving from an open position to a closed position, and can be secured to the main bodies  206  through use of a locking mechanism, such as described hereinabove for the window sash members  102 .  
         [0046]     Although the invention herein has been described with reference to particular embodiments and preferred dimensions or ranges of measurements, it is to be understood that these embodiments are merely illustrative of the principles and applications of the present invention. Additionally, it is to be appreciated that the present invention may take on various alternative orientations. It is therefore to be understood that numerous modifications may be made to the illustrative embodiments and that other arrangements may be devised without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention as defined by the appended claims.