Construction product having a moveable element with multi-functional thermal break
View Patent ↗A construction product such as a window or door includes a multi-functional thermal break. The thermal break serves to contact and support elements of the sash of the construction product. The thermal break also provides one or more additional structural functions for the construction product.
1. A construction product, comprising:
a frame having a sill, a head, a first jamb and a second jamb;
at least one sliding sash window, wherein the at least one sliding sash window slides up and down within the frame, comprising:
a rail fabricated from a metal and having an interior rail portion and an exterior rail portion;
a checkrail fabricated from a metal;
a first stile fabricated from a metal;
a second stile fabricated from a metal; and
a thermal break fabricated from a polymer, the thermal break being an additional component other than the rail, the checkrail, the first stile, and the second stile, wherein the thermal break is only positioned between the interior rail portion and the exterior rail portion of the sliding sash window, and wherein the thermal break has a single central hollowed-out cavity, the thermal break comprising an insulating material that connects and supports the interior rail portion and the exterior rail portion, and operates to limit thermal conduction between the interior rail portion and the exterior rail portion; and
a pivot bar having a first end, a second end, and a longitudinal axis therebetween, wherein the first end of the pivot bar and at least a portion of the longitudinal axis of the pivot bar is positioned within and completely encircled by the cavity of the thermal break, and
wherein the second end of the pivot bar projects out from the thermal break towards the second jamb of the frame so as to support the at least one sliding sash window when the at least one sliding sash window is in one of a plurality of positions.
2. The construction product of claim 1 wherein the at least one sliding sash window further comprises a glazing component.
3. The construction product of claim 1 further comprising a second thermal break that further connects and supports the interior rail portion and the exterior rail portion, and wherein the second thermal break includes a screw boss.
4. The construction product of claim 1 , wherein:
the frame comprises aluminum.
5. The construction product of claim 1 , wherein:
the frame comprises a first sill portion, a second sill portion, and a thermal break that connects and supports the first and second sill portions.
6. A construction product, comprising:
a frame having a sill, a head, a first jamb and a second jamb;
a first sliding sash window comprising:
a rail fabricated from a metal and having an interior rail portion and
an exterior rail portion;
a checkrail fabricated from a metal;
a first stile fabricated from a metal;
a second stile fabricated from a metal; and
a first thermal break fabricated from a polymer, the thermal break being an additional component other than the rail, the checkrail, the first stile, and the second stile, wherein the thermal break is only positioned between the interior rail portion and the exterior rail portion of the first sliding sash window, and wherein the thermal break has a single central hollowed-out cavity, the first thermal break comprising an insulating material that connects and supports the interior first sash rail portion and the exterior first sash rail portion, and operates to limit thermal conduction between the interior rail portion and the exterior rail portion; and
a first pivot bar having a first end, a second end, and a longitudinal axis therebetween, wherein the first end of the first pivot bar and at least a portion of the longitudinal axis of the first pivot bar is positioned within and completely encircled by the cavity of the first thermal break, and wherein the second end of the first pivot bar projects out from the first thermal break towards the second jamb of the frame so as to support the first sliding sash window when the first sliding sash window is in one of a plurality of positions;
a second sliding sash window comprising:
a rail fabricated from a metal and having an interior rail portions and an exterior rail portion; and
a checkrail fabricated from a metal;
a first stile fabricated from a metal;
a second stile fabricated from a metal; and
a second thermal break fabricated from a polymer, the thermal break being an additional component other than the rail, the checkrail, the first stile, and the second stile, wherein the thermal break is only positioned between the interior rail portion and the exterior rail portion of the second sliding sash window, and wherein the thermal break has a single central hollowed-out cavity, the second thermal break comprising an insulating material that connects and supports the interior rail portion and the exterior rail portion, and operates to limit thermal conduction between the interior rail portion and the exterior rail portion; and
a second pivot bar having a first end, a second end, and a longitudinal axis therebetween, wherein the first end of the second pivot bar and at least a portion of the longitudinal axis of the second pivot bar is positioned within and completely encircled by the cavity of the second thermal break, and wherein the second end of the second pivot bar projects out from the first thermal break towards the second jamb of the frame so as to support the second sliding sash window when the second sliding sash window is in one of a plurality of positions.
7. The construction product of claim 6 , wherein:
the frame comprises a first sill portion, a second sill portion and a thermal break that connects and supports the first and second sill portions.
8. The construction product of claim 6 , wherein:
the frame comprises aluminum; and
each sliding sash window comprises a glazing component.