Impact resistant multipane window

Abstract

An insulating multipane impact resistant window is disclosed that includes at least two panes and a sash, wherein the panes comprise a first pane and a second pane each of which is opposite and parallel to and spaced apart from the other and having a durable transparent polymer film adhered to and covering a surface of the pane that is facing the other pane, wherein the panes are spaced apart by and sealed to a spacer that is integral with the sash.

1 . An insulating multipane impact resistant window comprising:
 at least two panes and a sash, wherein the at least two panes comprise:   a first pane and a second pane each of which is opposite and parallel to and spaced apart from the other and having a durable transparent polymer film adhered to and covering a surface of the pane that is facing the other pane, wherein the panes are spaced apart by and sealed to   a spacer that is integral with the sash.   
   
   
       2 . The window according to  claim 1 , comprising an enclosed space that is bounded by the spacer that is integral with the sash, the first pane, and the second pane. 
   
   
       3 . The window according to  claim 1 , wherein the first pane and the second pane each comprise glass. 
   
   
       4 . The window according to  claim 3 , wherein the glass comprises untempered glass. 
   
   
       5 . The window according to  claim 1 , wherein the durable transparent polymer film comprises a laminated film. 
   
   
       6 . The window according to  claim 5 , wherein the laminated film has two surfaces, at least one of which is coated with a pressure sensitive adhesive that is adhered to one of the at least two panes. 
   
   
       7 . The window according to  claim 5 , wherein the laminated film is free of a hard coat. 
   
   
       8 . The window according to  claim 1 , wherein the durable transparent polymer film has a thickness of from about 10 mil to about 20 mil. 
   
   
       9 . The window according to  claim 1 , wherein the durable transparent polymer film has a thickness of about 12 mil to about 15 mil. 
   
   
       10 . The window according to  claim 1 , wherein the first pane and the second pane are spaced apart by a distance of from about 1 mm to about 20 mm. 
   
   
       11 . The window according to  claim 1 , wherein the first pane and the second pane are spaced apart by a distance of from about 6 mm to about 12 mm. 
   
   
       12 . The window according to  claim 1 , wherein the sash comprises polymer extrusions one or more of which optionally includes a metal stiffener. 
   
   
       13 . The window according to  claim 12 , wherein the sash comprises polymer extrusions each of which has an integral spacer which comprises a sealing surface for the first pane and a sealing surface for the second pane, wherein the distance between the sealing surface for the first pane and the sealing surface for the second pane determines the distance by which the first pane and the second pane are spaced apart. 
   
   
       14 . The window according to  claim 1 , wherein the first pane and the second pane are sealed to the integral spacer by glazing tape. 
   
   
       15 . The window according to  claim 1 , further comprising a glazing bead and wherein the sash comprises a polymer extrusion and the glazing bead comprises a snap-in glazing bead. 
   
   
       16 . The window according to  claim 2 , wherein the enclosed space is hermetically sealed and is in contact with a desiccant. 
   
   
       17 . A double-glazed impact resistant window comprising:
 two glass panes and a sash formed from polymer extrusions having an integral spacer, wherein the two glass panes comprise:   a first and a second glass pane each of which is opposite and parallel to and spaced apart from the other and having a durable transparent laminated polyester film from about 12 mil to about 15 mil thickness adhered to and covering a surface of the pane that is facing the other pane, wherein the panes are spaced apart by and sealed with glazing tape to   a spacer that is integral with the sash; and wherein the first pane and the second pane are further retained in the sash by snap-in glazing beads.   
   
   
       18 . The window according to  claim 17 , wherein the transparent laminated polyester film is free of a hard coat. 
   
   
       19 . A method of making a double glazed impact resistant window, the method comprising:
 a) forming a window sash that delineates a mounting space for mounting a first pane and a second pane opposite and parallel to and spaced apart from each other, the sash having an integral spacer that forms a sealing surface of the mounting space for each pane;   b) adhering a durable transparent polymer film to a surface of the first pane;   c) conforming the pane to the size and shape of the mounting space;   d) mounting the first pane in the mounting space with the film-covered surface of the pane facing the sealing surface of the integral spacer;   e) repeating steps b) through d) for the second pane.   
   
   
       20 . The method according to  claim 19 , wherein mounting comprises:
 a) adhering glazing tape to the sealing surface of the mounting space; and   b) contacting each pane with the tape so that the film-covered surface of the pane is facing the tape.   
   
   
       21 . The method according to  claim 19 , further comprising installing a glazing bead around each of the first pane and the second pane. 
   
   
       22 . The method according to  claim 19 , further comprising cleaning the pane immediately before adhering the durable transparent plastic film to the surface of the pane. 
   
   
       23 . The method according to  claim 19 , wherein the first pane, the second pane and the sash comprise an enclosed space. 
   
   
       24 . The method according to  claim 19 , wherein the first pane and the second pane each comprise glass. 
   
   
       25 . The method according to  claim 19 , wherein the durable transparent polymer film comprises a film having three layers of a polyester laminated together by an adhesive. 
   
   
       26 . The method according to  claim 19 , wherein the durable transparent polymer film is free of a hard coat. 
   
   
       27 . The method according to  claim 19 , wherein the first pane and the second pane are spaced apart by a distance of from about 6 mm to about 12 mm. 
   
   
       28 . The method according to  claim 19 , wherein the step of forming a window sash comprises attaching sash elements to each other to form a frame that delineates a mounting space for mounting a first pane and a second pane opposite and parallel to and spaced apart from each other, wherein each part of the sash frame has an integral spacer that together with the integral spacer of other parts of the sash frame forms a sealing surface of the mounting space for each pane; and wherein the sash comprises a material that is selected from one or more of the group consisting of wood, metal and plastic. 
   
   
       29 . The method according to  claim 28 , wherein the step of mounting the first pane in the mounting space with the film-covered surface of the pane facing the sealing surface of the integral spacer comprises adhering the pane to the sealing surface with a sealant. 
   
   
       30 . The method according to  claim 29 , wherein the sealant comprises glazing tape.