Patent ID: 7080488

Claim:
Structure with vertical members and cross members, comprising: a plurality of vertical members, each vertical member having two vertical channels disposed along outer surfaces of the vertical member, said vertical channels adapted to receive a seal, and a drainage channel disposed between the vertical channels; a cross member having flat end faces extending over the entire cross-sectional area of the cross member, the cross member being affixed between the vertical members with the flat end faces facing the outer surfaces of corresponding vertical members, said cross member including cross channels disposed along marginal edges and terminating at the outer surface of the vertical members, said cross channels adapted to receive a seal, and a retaining strip positioned between the cross channels and terminating at the outer surface of the vertical members, said vertical members and cross members defining frame areas adapted for insertion of glass panes; a connecting element formed separately from and connected flush to a corresponding one of the flat end faces of the cross member, said connecting element having a contour substantially matching a contour of the cross member and lengthening the cross channels and the retaining strip of the cross member so as to cover the vertical channels disposed along the outer surfaces of the vertical member and to be open to the drainage channel to allow liquids to drain from the cross member into the drainage channel in the vertical members.