US 7,594,364 B2
Process for attaching an external pressure plate glazing element to a support structure
David M. Rinehart, Montgomery, Ala. (US); and Charles Anthony Smith, Vienna, W. Va. (US)
Assigned to E. I. du Pont de Nemours and Company, Wilmington, Del. (US)
Filed on Feb. 19, 2008, as Appl. No. 12/33,442.
Prior Publication US 2008/0134597 A1, Jun. 12, 2008
Int. Cl. E06B 7/00 (2006.01)
U.S. Cl. 52—204.593  [52/204.7] 10 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A process for attaching an exterior pressure plate glazing to a support structure, the support structure having a retaining channel formed therein, comprising the steps of:
(a) providing an exterior pressure plate glazing itself comprising:
(i) a laminate having at least one glass layer bonded to a thermoplastic polymer interlayer, the glass layer having first and second planar surfaces and an edge, the thermoplastic polymer interlayer being directly bonded to one of the planar surfaces of the glass layer, a portion of the thermoplastic polymer interlayer extending past and overlying the edge of the glass layer, and
(ii) an attachment clip for holding the laminate in or attaching the laminate to the support structure, the attachment clip including a mounting portion and an arm, the mounting portion of the attachment clip being bonded directly to the extending portion of the thermoplastic polymer interlayer, the arm extending away from the mounting portion in a direction that is generally perpendicular to the planar surfaces of the glass layer;
(b) inserting a portion of the arm into the retaining channel to align and hold the laminate therein, the projecting portion of the arm interlocking the laminate to the support structure thereby to restrict rotational and/or transverse movement of the laminate within the channel or movement of the laminate out of the channel.