IP Library Granted Patent US 8,950,131
Granted Patent B2
US 8,950,131 · App. 13/290,701 · Granted Feb 10, 2015

Filling gaps in a curtain wall system

Inventor: Stephen N. Loyd (Dallas, TX)
Assignee: Stephen N. Lloyd
E04F13/0803E04F13/0826E04F13/144
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 8,950,131
App. No.
13/290,701
Granted
Feb 10, 2015
Kind
B2
Abstract

In certain embodiments, a system includes a plurality of curtain wall members positioned in a horizontal array, a first curtain wall member separated from an adjacent second curtain wall member by a gap. The system further includes a gap-filling member positioned in the gap separating the adjacent first and second curtain wall members, the gap filling member comprising one or more vents.

Claims (31)

1. A method, comprising:

positioning a plurality of curtain wall members in a horizontal array, a first curtain wall member horizontally separated from an adjacent second curtain wall member by a vertical gap; and

positioning in the vertical gap separating the adjacent first curtain wall member and second curtain wall member a gap-filling member, the gap-filling member comprising:

a hook located adjacent to a lower end of the gap-filling member; and

one or more vents each defined at least in part by a corresponding member, the corresponding member defining the vent by extending from the gap filling member at an acute angle relative to vertical, toward a surface to which the first curtain wall member and second curtain wall member are attached.

2. The method of claim 1 , wherein:

the gap-filling member comprises

a latching member comprising a horizontally-disposed portion and a latch located at an end of the horizontally-disposed portion; and

positioning in the gap separating the adjacent first curtain wall member and second curtain wall member the gap-filling member comprises:

engaging the hook of the gap-filling member with a substantially vertically-disposed receiving-and-retaining member of a first gap-filling member supporting channel, a second gap-filling member supporting channel positioned above and substantially parallel to the first gap-filling member supporting channel, the first gap-filling member supporting channel and second gap-filling member supporting channel each comprising a supporting member; and

rotating the gap-filling member inwardly toward the second gap-filling member supporting channel such that the end of the horizontally-disposed portion of the latching member moves past a locking member disposed beneath a lower surface of the supporting member of the second gap-filling member supporting channel thereby securing the gap-filling member in place.

3. The method of claim 2 , wherein the receiving-and-retaining member of the first gap-filling member supporting channel is located at and extends vertically upward from a first end of the supporting member of the first gap-filling member supporting channel.

4. The method of claim 1 , wherein the one or more vents of the gap-filling member are adapted to eliminate pressure differentiation on opposite sides of the first curtain wall member and second curtain wall member.

5. The method of claim 1 , wherein the gap filling member is substantially equal in width to a width of the gap separating the first curtain wall member and second curtain wall member.

6. The method of claim 1 , wherein the gap filling member is substantially equal in height to a distance between upper and lower ends of the first curtain wall member and second curtain wall member.

7. The method of claim 1 , wherein the gap-filling member comprises an extension adapted to hide at least a portion of a second gap between the gap-filling member and a second gap-filling member positioned below the gap-filling member.

8. A system, comprising:

a plurality of curtain wall members positioned in a horizontal array, a first curtain wall member horizontally separated from an adjacent second curtain wall member by a vertical gap; and

a gap-filling member positioned in the vertical gap separating the adjacent first curtain wall member and second curtain wall member, the gap-filling member comprising:

a hook located adjacent to a lower end of the gap-filling member; and

one or more vents each defined at least in part by a corresponding member, the corresponding member defining the vent by extending from the gap filling member at an acute angle relative to vertical, toward a surface to which the first curtain wall member and second curtain wall member are attached.

9. The system of claim 8 , wherein:

the gap-filling member comprises

a latching member comprising a horizontally-disposed portion and a latch located at an end of the horizontally-disposed portion;

the hook of the gap-filling member is adapted to engage with a substantially vertically-disposed receiving-and-retaining member of a first gap-filling member supporting channel, a second gap-filling member supporting channel positioned above and substantially parallel to the first gap-filling member supporting channel, the first gap-filling member supporting channel and second gap-filling member supporting channel each comprising a supporting member; and

the gap-filling member is adapted to rotate inwardly toward the second gap-filling member supporting channel such that the end of the horizontally-disposed portion of the latching member moves past a locking member disposed beneath a lower surface of the supporting member of the second gap-filling member supporting channel thereby securing the gap-filling member in place.

10. The system of claim 9 , wherein the receiving-and-retaining member of the first gap-filling member supporting channel is located at and extends vertically upward from a first end of the supporting member of the first gap-filling member supporting channel.

11. The system of claim 8 , wherein the one or more vents of the gap-filling member are adapted to eliminate pressure differentiation on opposite sides of the first curtain wall member and second curtain wall member.

12. The system of claim 8 , wherein the gap filling member is substantially equal in width to a width of the gap separating the first curtain wall member and second curtain wall member.

13. The system of claim 8 , wherein the gap filling member is substantially equal in height to a distance between upper and lower ends of the first curtain wall member and second curtain wall member.

14. The system of claim 8 , wherein the gap-filling member comprises an extension adapted to hide at least a portion of a second gap between the gap-filling member and a second gap-filling member positioned below the gap-filling member.

Assignments (2)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jul 31, 2025
From: STEPHEN N. LOYD IRREVOCABLE FAMILY TRUST
To: PRECISION WALL SYSTEMS, INC.
Reel/Frame 071888/0310 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Nov 7, 2011
From: LOYD, STEPHEN N.
To: STEPHEN N. LOYD IRREVOCABLE FAMILY TRUST
Reel/Frame 027186/0331 →
Continuity (4)
Division 12124647 · May 21, 2008
Continuation In Part 11074086 · Mar 7, 2005
Provisional Application 60565445 · Apr 26, 2004
Related Publication 20120117901A1 · May 17, 2012