Oct.

10, 1950

R.

2,525,717

OTTENHEIMER

MULTIWALLED STRUCTURE

2 Sheets-Sheet 2

Filed Jan. 8, 1945

40

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iiatented

10, 1950

2,525,717 *

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE

1

2,525,717

MULTIWALLED STRUCTURE
Reuben E. Ottenheimer, Baltimore, Md.
Application January 8, 1945, Serial No. 571,897
12 Claims. (Cl. 20456.5)

1
This invention relates to .multi-walled struc

tures and to elements adapted for the fabrication

of such structures.

'

Multi-glazed windows for show cases, railway

cars, commercial buildings and residences, among

tain or communicate with hygroscopic material

for removing moisture from the entrapped air
between adjacent panels. A bridging element
may be interposed in any intermediate channel
so as to prevent collapse or undue movement ,

of the flanges and to retain any hygroscopic

other uses, have beenemployed in the past in
material that may be present. Such a bridging
various forms. In most instances the windows
element can permit breathing by being suitably
have been assembled at the factory and installed
perforated over a sui?cient portion of its area.
as a unit in frames designed to receive them.
In many of the known forms of multi-glazed sash, 10 To retain such bridging elements, certain of the
?anges may be provided with retaining means
should one of the panes become damaged, it is
in the form of shoulders, grooves, beads, or other
necessary to replace the entire sash, due to the
suitable
arrangements.

relatively permanent manner in which the edges

of the panes are sealed.

Other types of instal

lations have been criticized for the condensation

that occurs between the panes, reducing trans

A more complete understanding of the pro

posed invention will follow from a description

of the appended drawings wherein:

Figure 1 is a section, partially broken away,

of a multi-walled structure incorporating some
of the features of the invention;
mon form of multi-glazing, lacks a seal and the
Figure 2 is a section of a sealing element;
number of surfaces to be cleaned is double the 20
Figure 3 is a section of another form of seal
numberof panes.
ing element;
By the provision of a preformed element hav
Figure 4 is a section, partially broken away,
ing a surface provided with a pair of outer
of
a modi?ed form of structure;
?anges and a plurality of intermediate ?anges,
Figure 5 is a perspective, partially in section
with channels between adjacent ?anges, and "
and partially broken away, of a multi-window
opposed retaining means near the free ends of
cabinet
incorporating features of the invention;
certain of the ?anges, it is now possible to either
Figure 6 is a section, partially broken away, '
prefabricate a multi-glazed or other multi-walled
of still another form of multi-walled structure;
structure at a manufacturing center or assemble
Figure 7 is a sectional elevation of another
it on the site. Installation and repair can be

parency and developing ultimate e?lorescence.

Ordinary storm sash, which is the most com

effected by semi-skilled personnel and single wall

constructions can be converted to multiple wall

modification; and

Figure 8 is a sectional elevation of still an

closures or partitions withrelative simplicity in

accordance with the principles of the present in

other modi?cation.
Referring to Fig. l of the drawings, three wall
panels II], which may be glass, wood, metal, or

vention.

other material, are shown as retained in spaced

'

The preformed element may be produced by

extrusion or other means and depending upon
the composition employed, may be in some cases
self-supporting. It may be homogeneous or

parallel relationship by a preformed element l2

which encompasses the edges of the panels. The

preformed element is externally embraced by a
channel l4 formed of metal, preformed plastic,
40
reinforced with ?laments, strips, webs or other
preformed plywood, or the like, which serves as
types of materials. It may be composed of re
a frame to support and protect it. The preformed
silient material such as natural and/or synthetic
element comprises outer ?anges l6 and inter
rubber, condensation resins or other suitable re
mediate ?anges 18. The panels are received in
silient or ?owable material which while self-sup
alternate channels de?ned by the ?anges, the
porting, can be pressed into contactwith glass
remaining channels serving to save material, or,
sheets or walls of ?ber, metal, wood, plastic, or
if desired, simultaneously serving for the removal
other material, to produce a seal in spite of ir
of moisture from the fluid entrapped between
regularities of the size or surface of the glass or
the panels. As indicated in Fig. l, a hygroscopic
other panel. The molded element may be uni
agent 20 is placed in these channels and covered
tary or composite. It may comprise a rigid or
in each case by a plate or bridge 22, received in

semi-rigid shell surfaced with a more plastic seal~

ing material for contact with the panels. The

panel receiving channels may be tapered and/or

extensible to receive sheets of varying thick
passes, while the intermediate channels may con

opposed grooves formed near the upper ends of

certain of the ?anges. In some instances, a rigid
tube or tray may be inserted between the inter

mediate fianges, in which instances, they may

2,525,717
4

be perforated and contain such hygroscopic ma

terial.

required bearing upon the glazing element and

These grooves 24 are more clearly shown in

Figs. 2 and 3 which depict two forms of pre

fabricated elements prior to their incorporation

in a multi-walled assembly. The modi?cation of

Figure 2 is adapted to receive two panels, one
in each of the channels de?ned by the outer
?anges l6 and their respective adjacent inter
mediate ?anges 58. The central channel 26 may
be used for receipt of or communication with a

body of hygroscopic material such as silica gel,

calcium chloride or such agents as will absorb

or adsorb moisture from the atmosphere between

the panes. The glazing element of Fig. 3 is pro
vided with four intermediate ?anges as distin
guished from the two of Fig. 2. The central
channel '23 in this case has its base formed with

a longitudinal corrugation 29 to permit ready

transverse expansion of the channel for accom
modation of panes of different thicknesses. For

its plurality of panes.

A glazing element [2 designed for two panes of
glass it] is shown in Fig. 6. The intermediate

channel containing hygroscopic material is

bridged by a plate 22, retained in position by
beads All! formed on the outer edges of the outer
end intermediate channels. These beads assure
a seal against the pane surfaces for thicknesses
covering a wide range. The outer ?anges are
shown as normally erect, a condition which can
be achieved in any form of the invention to ob
viate the need for an outer frame, 14 as de

scribed in conjunction with Fig. 1.

Fig. '7 depicts panes or panels [0 received in
channels 132 of a plastic member 44 whose inter
mediate channel 46 is spread by a perforated tube
or bridging means 48 adapted to receive hygro

scopic material. Bonded to the outer faces of

the, plastic member 44 are a pair of rigid angles
50 having depending ?anges 52, one of which is

a similar purpose in the case of the outer chan

tapped to receive a screw 54.

nels, the outer ?anges are initially formed to

?are outwardly, as shown, and after insertion of
the panes, they are de?ected into contact with i
the outer surfaces of the outer panes respectively
to provide a relatively airtight and water-tight
seal. Such a seal may be augmented by the

inserted, advancing the screw 54' will spread the

With the panes

?anges 52 and clamp the panes in position.

Fig. 8 illustrates a pair of panes or panel's l0

received in channels 56 of a plastic member 58

whose intermediate channel 61?? receives a rigid

tray 62 to space the intermediate ?anges 64 of

use of heat, pressure, adhesive or plasticizer, or

the plastic member. This tray may contain hy

combinations ofsuch agencies.
,
30 groscopic material if desired. Clamping elements
The glazing elements are preferably composed
66 of metal or other rigid material are of approx
of a flexible or ?owable material, preformed by
imately Z ~-shape in section, the depending ?anges
extrusion or other methods. Some compositions
being perforated and tapped respectively to re
contemplated will impart semi-rigidity to the
ceive arclamping screw 88'. When the screw is

elements.

Natural and/or synthetic rubber are

advanced, the clamping elements 66 are drawn

into position about the plastic member .58 and

suited to these requirements as are various resins

and condensation products. In some cases, it

exert a clamping and sealing effect upon the

may be desired to reinforce these molded prod
panes or panels ill with the aid of the interposed
ucts by the inclusion of strip, filamentary, woven
tray or bridging means 62.
'
or otherwise constituted members within the body 40
The embodiments described in the foregoing
of the element. In other cases, semi-rigid ele
are intended to illustrate a few applications of
ments may be surfaced with such plastic sealing
the present invention, which should not be lim
compositions as will accomplish the objects of
ited thereto beyond the scope of the appended
this invention.
claims.
The plates or bridging elements 22 may be com 45
I claim:
posed of stiff fiber, plastic, wood or metal, and
1. A glazing element of resilient ?exiblemate
may be suitably perforated and preformed to
rial comprising a web having inner and outer

retain hygroscopic material and permit breath

surfaces, a pair Of outwardly ?aring outer ?anges
ing, yet provide adequate rigidity to maintain
and a, plurality of intermediate ?anges project
the continguous ?anges in-contact with the panes 50 ing from the inner surface of said web, adjacent
of glass or other walls set in the adjacent chan
?anges de?ning channels therebetween, andv op
nels. The glass receiving channels may be di
posed shoulders formed near the free ends of
vergent if desired to adapt the elements to re
certain of said intermediate ?anges de?ning free
ceive panes of varying or different thicknesses.
end portions which are more proximate to one
Fig. 4 depicts an assembly similar to that 55 another than are adjacent intermediate portions
shown in Fig. 1, differing primarily in the pro
of said ?anges.
vision of openings 30 penetrating the body of
2. A resilient ?exible unitary glazing element
web of the glazing element for communication
comprising a web having inner and outer surfaces,
with the channel or channels between those
a pair of outer ?anges and a plurality of inter
which receive the panes. These openings per 80 mediate ?anges projecting from the inner sur
mit the hygroscopic agent to be positioned in a
face of said web, adjacent ?anges de?ning chan
container or containers which can be inserted
nels therebetween, and means formed near the
free ends of said intermediate ?anges reducing
into or connected to the ports provided by the
openings.
the width of certain of said channels at their
One suitable application of this form of inven 65 open ends.
3. A resilient ?exible glazing elementcompris
tion has been depicted in Fig. 5 which shows a
ing a web having inner. and outer surfaces, a
window sash 32 receiving such a multi~glazed
pair of outer ?anges and a plurality of inter
structure and providing a container Bil holding a
body of hygroscopic or dessicating material. 70 mediate ?anges projecting from the inner sur
face of said Web, adjacent ?anges de?ning chan
Communication is established between the con
nels
therebetween, certain of said'channels adja
tainer and open channels
through tubes 35
cent an outer ?ange diverging toward their open
which project into the openings
As shown,
ends, and' certain of said ?anges having opposed
the members are assembled by means of the strip
relatively
enlarged portions at said ends adapted
or strips 33 toe-nailed in place to produce the
is,

to retain a reinforcing element.

2,525,717

5.
i 4. A glazing element of resilient ?exible mate
rial comprising a web having inner and outer
surfaces, a pair of outer ?anges and a plurality

of intermediate ?anges projecting from the inner

surface of said web, adjacent ?anges de?ning

channels therebetween, channels formed adjacent
said outer ?anges being substantially unobstruct
ed and diverging toward their open ends, and
shoulders de?ning inwardly directed ?anges
formed near the free ends of certain of said ad

jacent ?anges.
5. A multi-glazed window comprising a frame,
a sealing element composed of resilient ?exible
material received in said frame, said element hav
ing a web and outer ?anges in contact with said
frame and intermediate ?anges provided with

nels therebetween, panes received in certain of

said channels, at least one of said channels hav
ing a longitudinal corrugation formed in its web
to receive panes of different thicknesses, and spac
ing means interlocked with said retaining ?anges
intermediate said alternate channels.
10. A glazing element of resilient ?exible ma
terial comprising a web having inner and outer
surfaces, a pair of outer ?anges, and a plurality
of intermediate ?anges projecting from the in
ner surface of said web, adjacent ?anges de?n

ing channels therebetween, and opposed yieldable

retaining shoulders formed near the free ends of
certain of said intermediate ?anges said shoul

ders being adapted to retain ?ange spacing

means.

11. A multi-glazed window comprising a frame,

a sealing element composed of resilient ?exible
rected towards one another at their free ends, a
material received in said frame, said element hav
pane between each outer ?ange and its adjacent
intermediate ?ange, and a spacing member re 20 ing a web and outer ?anges in contact with said
frame and intermediate ?anges provided with op~
tained by said retaining ?anges.
posed shoulders de?ning retaining ?anges direct
6. A multi-glazed window comprising a frame,
ed towards one another at their free ends, a pane
a preformed sealing element composed of resili
between each outer ?ange and its adjacent in
ent ?exible material received in said frame, said
termediate ?ange, a spacing member retained
element having a web and outer ?anges in con
by said retaining ?anges, said element and spac
tact with said frame, and intermediate ?anges
ing member de?ning a chamber, and means es
having intermediate portions reduced relative to
tablishing communication between said cham
their ends, a pane sealed between each outer
ber and a space intermediate said panes.
?ange and its adjacent intermediate ?ange, and
12. A multi-walled structure comprising a
spacing means interposed between said reduced
frame a reformed sealing element composed of
portions of certain of said intermediate ?anges
resilient ?exible material received in said frame,
and interlocked therewith.
said element having a web and outer ?anges in
7. A multi-walled structure comprising a frame,
contact with said frame and a plurality of pairs
a preformed sealing element composed of resilient
of intermediate ?anges, certain of said inter
?exible material received in said frame, said ele
mediate ?anges containing opposed grooves, a
ment having a web and outer ?anges in contact
panel between each outer ?ange and its adjacent
with said frame and a plurality of pairs of inter
intermediate ?ange and between certain of the
mediate ?anges, certain of said intermediate
remaining intermediate ?anges and spacing
?anges containing opposed grooves, a panel be
tween each outer ?ange and its adjacent inter 40 means received between said opposed grooves of
said intermediate ?anges, said spacing member
mediate ?ange and between certain of the re
maining intermediate ?anges and spacing means containing a fluid passage in communication with
a space intermediate said panels.
received between said opposed grooves of said in
REUBEN E. OTTENHEIMER.
termediate ?anges.
8. A multi-glazed window comprising a frame,
a sealing element composed of resilient ?exible
REFERENCES CITED
material received in said frame, said element hav
The following references are of record in the
ing a web and outer ?anges in contact with
?le of this patent:
said frame and intermediate ?anges provided with
UNITED STATES PATENTS
opposed retaining ?anges near their free ends,
said outer ?anges and intermediate ?anges de
Name
Date
Number
?ning channels which diverge towards their open
1,975,895
Geyer ____________ __ Oct. 9, 1934

opposed shoulders de?ning retaining ?anges di

ends, a pane received in each of a plurality of

said channels and spacing means in the remain

ing channels interlocked with said retaining

?anges.
9. A multi~glazed window comprising a frame,
a sealing element comprising resilient ?exible
material received in said frame, said element hav

2,077,305
2,129,072
2,168,216

Batchell __________ __ Apr. 13, 1937

Rutishauser _______ .._ Sept. 6, 1938
Kennedy __________ __ Aug. 1, 1939

2,189,388
2,193,853
2,276,112

Zand ____________ __ Feb. 6, 1940

Axe ______________ __ Mar. 19, 1940
Stoneback ________ __ Mar. 10, 1942

ing a web and outer ?anges in contact with said 60

frame and intermediate ?anges provided with
Number

FOREIGN PATENTS

opposed retaining ?anges near their free ends,

said outer and intermediate ?anges de?ning chan

Germany _____ -______ July 1, 1937

647,307

Country

Date

Certi?cate of Correction

Patent No. 2,525,717

October 10, 1950

REUBEN E. OTTENHEIMER
It is hereby certi?ed that error appears in the printed speci?cation of the
above numbered patent requiring correction as follows:
Column 4, line 8, for the Word end read and; column 6, line 31, for frame
a reformed read frame, a preformed;
and that the said Letters Patent should be read as corrected above, so that the
same may conform to the record of the case in the Patent Of?ce.

Signed and sealed this 26th day of December, A. D. 1950.

THOMAS F. MURPHY,
Assistant Gammz'ssz'oner of Patents.