Insulated glass adaptive method and apparatus

This invention is a method, and apparatus for performing the method, wherein ordinary single-pane windows, door, and the like, can be converted to double-pane or triple-pane insulated items. The method involves trimming of caulking material, disassembling the frame of the item, partially or fully, and placing suitable spacing material around the existing pane of glass, and placing another pane of glass adjacent the spacing material, inserting a pre-formed holding member into the frame encompassing the new pane, and reassembling the frame. The same procedure is followed for triple-pane, except that additional spacing material and glass are added.

CROSS REFERENCE OF RELATED PATENT APPLICATIONS 
There are no patent applications filed by me related to this patent 
application. 
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
1. Field of the Invention: 
This invention is in the general field of insulated windows, and is more 
particularly directed to a method and apparatus by which existing 
single-pane windows, doors, and the like, can be converted to double or 
triple pane elements without the necessity of destroying existing glass. 
The invention is more particularly directed to a method and apparatus for 
such conversions wherein the existing frame and existing pane of glass 
become the foundation for the insulated completed adaptive unit. 
2. Description of the Prior Art: 
There are numerous insulated windows in existence. There are even many 
methods of converting existing windows, and the like, having single panes 
of glass to those having multiple panes of glass. For example, there are 
means provided to adapt a preformed double-pane of glass to an existing 
single-pane window by destroying the pane already existing and replacing 
it with an adaptive element. There are means to apply storm windows of 
various types. 
No prior art exists, however, where the existing frame and existing pane 
are used in the manner which is hereinafter described to form a double or 
triple-insulated window by the mere addition of one or two panes of glass 
and encompassing spacing material around the edge with a holding member 
cooperative within the existing frame. In this respect this invention is 
unique. 
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
With the increasing attention being paid to energy conservation and in 
particular with great emphasis being placed upon heat loss areas in homes, 
and the like, tremendous attention has been given for several years to 
insulated windows. 
Windows and doors, and the like, having one pane of glass are the cause of 
a great deal of heat loss from the interior to the exterior of a building 
during cold periods and from the exterior to the interior of the building 
during warm periods. 
Many existing homes were built with single panes of glass before insulated, 
double-pane windows, and the like, were available. It is quite costly to 
remove windows and replace them with double panes of glass. 
Some efforts have been made to provide the means for converting existing 
windows, and the like, to double or triple-pane insulated windows and 
doors. Such efforts involve either destruction of the entire window or 
door frame and replacement with a new frame, or rather costly adaptive 
elements wherein the existing pane is destroyed and an adaptive element is 
inserted therein with two new pieces of glass in the form of a thermally 
insulated panel inserted in place of the single pane. 
It is also common to provide storm windows or other means of this nature to 
provide extra insulation around windows and doors. 
All of the methods used so far have been expensive and/or cumbersome. I 
have studied the problem and all of the various methods used for a 
considerable period of time and have now conceived and perfected a method, 
and apparatus for performing the method, by which anyone can quickly and 
economically convert existing single-pane windows and doors to 
double-panel or even triple-pane elements. 
The method I employ in accomplishing this is to trim caulking material 
about the frame, loosen the existing window frame sufficiently to allow a 
thin holding element to slip within the frame, place a spacing material 
(preferably insulating, adhesive material) around the edge of the existing 
pane, adjacent to the area in which I can place the holding element. 
I then provide a pane of glass of the right size to fit upon the spacing 
material around the existing glass and thereafter assemble with the 
holding element holding the second (or second and third) pane of glass in 
place. By saving the existing pane of glass and by not destroying the 
frame, the entire operation can be accomplished much more economically 
than any other method presently known for making such conversions. 
If required, I also inject nitrogen gas, or the like, or a dessicant into 
the space between the panes of glass or evacuate air in order to eliminate 
accumulation of moisture in that area. 
It is an object of this invention to provide an economical method of 
converting a single-pane glass area in buildings into double or 
triple-pane insulated elements. 
Another object of this invention is to provide such a method, and apparatus 
for performing the method, wherein any reasonably intelligent homeowner 
can personally convert his windows and doors. 
Another object of this invention is to provide such a method and apparatus 
as has been mentioned wherein the original existing plane of glass and 
window frame are not damaged. 
The foregoing and other objects of this invention will become apparent to 
those skilled in the art upon reading a description of a preferred 
embodiment which follows, in conjunction with the appended drawings.

DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
The window assembly shown in FIG. 1, generally designated by the reference 
numeral 10, includes a stationary window 12 and a sliding window 14. The 
single panes of glass 16 and 18, respectively, are shown mounted in frames 
20 and 22. 
The window opening is shown in FIG. 2 as having a window opening frame 24 
with channels 26 and 28. Handle and lock assembly at 30 is indicated and 
can be of conventional construction and familiar to those versed in such 
art. The movable window is of a type having runners or rollers at the 
bottom as shown at 32 and the space at 34 to allow the window to be lifted 
upwardly and then removed from the confining channel. 
FIG. 3A shows a person's hand 36 cleaning the window with a cleaning member 
38 to prepare the window for adaptation to receiving the insulating window 
as will be shown further in this application. 
FIG. 3B shows the hand 36 trimming off the exposed caulking using a razor 
blade or trimming tool 40 to cause the strip to be removed at 42. 
FIG. 3C shows a spacing strip being applied to the existing single pane of 
glass just inside the frame, at the general area from which caulking was 
previously removed. The spacing material will be later described more 
fully, but is shown at 44 in a simplified illustration to more clearly and 
simply describe the transition procedures. 
FIG. 3D shows an exploded perspective of the window glass 18 with the 
spacer 44 in place and the portions of frame 22 disassembled. An 
additional pane of glass 46 is cut to the proper size and is shown ready 
to be placed onto the strip 44. 
FIG. 3E illustrates a retaining strip assembly 48 which is then placed 
about the new pane 46 and prior to the segments of the frame 22 being 
reinstalled into their initial position. 
FIG. 3F illustrates the completed conversion and how a supply of inert gas, 
such as nitrogen, is being inserted by penetrating tip 52 through the seal 
44 into the space between the two panes of glass. A bleeding insert 54 
allows the air that is being replaced to exit. When the tip 52 and the 
insert 54 are removed, the window becomes sealed from any outside air or 
moisture. Thus, condensation of moisture between the glass panes is 
eliminated. 
To more fully describe the components involved in the procedure, I have 
shown in the exploded perspective of FIG. 5 a complete assembly at 100. 
The completed unit is shown in FIG. 4. Sliding window frame 102, with edge 
portions 104, 106, 108 and 110 are of a conventional construction and can 
be separated easily by the removal of fasteners 112. 
The pane of glass 114 is shown as being surrounded by vinyl caulking 116 
having a back portion 116a and side extensions 116b and 116c. 
FIG. 7 illustrates an early step in the procedure of adapting the single 
pane window to a multiple pane window. A sharp edged tool 118 is shown 
trimming a portion of lip 116c of caulking 116 and removing portion 116d. 
This leaves an area, zone, proximate the edge of the frame 106 at its 
inner side free from any of the caulking seal 116, or the like. Many times 
this caulking may be of a plastic material, such as vinyl, felt, rubber, 
or other suitable materials for use with glass. 
FIG. 8 shows a double-stick strip of insulation 120 applied to the pane 114 
in the area that the segment 116d had been removed previously. This 
spacing material is shown in FIG. 11 as being insulating, adhesive 
material, covered with removable sheets of material 122A and 122B. 
The separated elements in FIG. 9 show how the frame 106 had been separated 
from the seal 116 in order to be able to allow a retaining metal strip 124 
to be placed about a second window pane 126. The pane 126 is shown in FIG. 
9 as having been pressed onto the surface of the adhesive strip of spacing 
material on the exposed adhesive. 
When the window has been reassembled, as shown in FIG. 10, it can be seen 
that the strip 124, with its first edge 124b placed inside the frame 106, 
and its second edge 124c placed in a retaining position against the second 
pane 126, serves as a frame-like structure for the second pane. The offset 
portion 124a interconnects the two edges 124b and 124c. The offset is such 
that it can accomodate a particular thickness of glass that is being used 
as the second added pane. 
FIG. 12 shows a conventional fixed window of the type that is usually 
associated along with a sliding window. The window 200 is shown as having 
a single pane of glass 202 held in a frame 204. Again, a seal 206 is shown 
as holding the pane 202 therein. 
In FIG. 12 there is shown the manner in which a double-stick strip of 
insulating material 208 is affixed to the outside of the frame 204 
immediately adjacent the edge by the glass. A second pane 210 is cut to 
the size that would fit over the adhesive strip as shown in FIGS. 15 & 16. 
A frame assembly of strips is shown at 210 and this assembly is composed 
of segments 212. The segments are shown in FIG. 18 as overlapping at the 
intermediate meeting points and in such a manner that water running off 
the side of the window would not seep into the window seal and glass 
areas. The portion 212a interconnects flat portions 212b and 212c which 
respectively contact the frame and glass that had been added. Holes 214 
are then located about the frame on the flat segment 212b and fasteners 
are provided at 216 to secure the frame about the seal and second glass 
pane to the initial window frame. 
The section indicated in FIG. 16 shows the assembled unit. 
FIG. 17 is a view that illustrates that the penetration of the earlier 
described tip 52 of the gas supply 50 can be inserted through the seal 
member 120 into the compartment between the two panes of glass. The 
corners of the frame can be placed slightly apart, or an opening can be 
formed at that corner to allow the tip to be inserted through the seal. 
FIG. 18 illustrates the fact that the strips for both the sliding window 
kit and the fixed window kit can be sold in lengths longer than are needed 
for most window sizes. Nevertheless, I have found that by trimming the 
sliding window strips to meet perfectly, and to overlap the fixed window 
strips has proven successful. 
FIG. 19 shows an alternate embodiment of my invention wherein a triple-pane 
insulated window can be fabricated by my method. In this figure, the frame 
300, retaining the initial glass pane 302 within seal member 304 is shown 
having a retaining strip of the nature shown to accomodate at least two 
additional panes. 
The strip 306 is shown to have a connecting portion 306a which has a glass 
contacting portion 306b and a frame insertable extension 306c. In 
addition, I have provided an offset at 306d to further strengthen the 
strip and to better retain it within the window pane holding frame 300. 
Second and third panes 308 and 310 are retained and affixed by strips 312 
and 314, respectively. The triple window can be easily used with a fixed 
window construction by merely following the various steps of the 
construction of FIG. 15. Fasteners would affix the strips to the fixed 
frame, and the extension 306d would simply be eliminated. 
Occasionally, I have found that the topmost strip that retains the 
additional pane, or panes, has had to be narrower across the width that is 
closest to the outer main window frame at the point that the window would 
be lifted in order that it might be removed from its channel. This allows 
the operator to have enough clearance for proper reinsertion of the 
sliding window after it had been modified. 
Although I have designated that the strips be of sheet metal, it is to be 
understood that other materials may be substitude, such as plastic, and 
the like. The spacing material is preferrably made of material which will 
resist weathering and will form an air tight seal between the panes of 
glass. 
I have made reference to using an inert gas between the panes of glass to 
avoid accumulation of moisture. Also other things can be used, as I have 
mentioned, including dessicant material with a spacer. 
Additionally, a vacuum, or a partial vacuum, can be drawn between the two 
panes of glass by the use of a needle in the same manner as indicated for 
the insertion of inert gas, but with the needle attached to a source of a 
vacuum such as a vacuum pump or the like. This will be understood by those 
skilled in the art. Another way in which a partial vacuum can be created 
to eliminate moisture is to heat the glass and the area between the panes 
of glass quite substantially prior to placing the two panes of glass 
together with the spacing material between them. If this is done, when the 
glass cools there will be a partial vacuum within the area and this 
assists with the insulating quality of the double pane unit as well as 
aiding to reduce danger of condensation within the double-pane window. The 
embodiments which have previously been described are in my opinion, the 
preferrable embodiments of my method for converting a single pane window, 
utilizing the existing pane and frame. However, I have illustrated in 
FIGS. 20, 21, 22, 23 some alternatives which are interesting and should be 
mentioned as they could please certain persons more than the ones 
previously described. FIG. 20 illustrates in partial section a piece of a 
window frame 2001 of more or less standard construction having a pane of 
glass 2002 and vinyl or the like, as caulking 2003. FIG. 21 shows the 
result of a very simple conversion. The frame 2001 still exists, but the 
caulking material 2003 has been removed and a mastic material 2013 has 
been placed within the frame with a small space 2015 between the original 
pane of glass 2002 and a new pane of glass 2014. Space 2015 is small, but 
if a good vacuum is drawn it will provide rather satisfactory insulation. 
FIG. 22 illustrates a means by which FIG. 21 can form a slightly larger 
space 2025 between the original piece of glass 2024. In this case, an 
adaptive element 2026 is utilized to extend nearly to the outer edge of 
the original frame 2001 so that the clearance will be identical to the 
original clearance. A mastic 2023 holds the pane of glass properly spaced 
and also assists in holding the adaptive element 2026 in place. 
Lastly, with this simplified and modified method, but more closely 
approaching my original and previously described method, the pane of glass 
2002 is moved over adjacent the edge of the frame 2001 as in the prior 2 
illustrations, an adaptive element 2036 is utilized together with mastic 
2033 and new pane of glass 2034 forming an enlarged space between the 
panes of glass 2035. The only advantage of this particular embodiment is 
to reach a compromise between my previously described method which are 
considered preferrable and a somewhat narrower finished unit to provide 
more clearance. 
While not previously mentioned, my methods of conversion as illustrated in 
the foregoing description causes the absolute minimum loss of light 
through the converted window as compared to other methods of apparatus 
available and in addition provides an economical method. 
It will be noted that I have referred to glass throughout the description, 
but the same method would apply where windows are formed of plastic 
material or the like rather than glass. Also, while I have described 
particularly windows, it is understood that this method applies to any 
glass covered opening in a building, such as a door or the like. 
While the embodiments of this invention shown and described are fully 
capable of fulfilling the objects and advantages desired, it is to be 
understood such embodiments have been illustrated strictly for purposes of 
illustration and understanding, and not for the purpose of limitation.