Thermally insulating composite frame apparatus with slide-in thermal isolator and method for making same

摘要

A composite frame member includes a pair of profile members extending in a longitudinal direction (Z) and held at connection regions thereof in a parallel, spaced apart relation by an insulating bridge member. The bridge member carries first and second head portions on opposite ends in a height direction (Y) wherein the head portions define outer planar surfaces and first and second inner planar surfaces. The first outer planar surface and the first and second inner planar surfaces of each head portion are mutually parallel and spaced apart in the height direction (Y). Opposed first and second flange members of each connection region are crimped inwardly and abut the outer planar surfaces and generate holding forces F exclusively in the height direction (Y) perpendicular to the longitudinal (Z) and transverse (X) directions.

主权项

1. A composite frame apparatus comprising:
a first elongate profile member extending in a direction along a longitudinal axis; a second elongate profile member extending in a direction along the longitudinal axis; a first connection region on the first profile member, the first connection region comprising spaced apart first and second flange members defining a first landing region therebetween, the first landing region comprising a first substantially planar locating surface, the first and second flange members of the first connection region being selectively crimpable inwardly in a direction along a transverse axis, wherein the transverse axis is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis; a second connection region on the second profile member, the second connection region comprising spaced apart first and second flange members defining a second landing region therebetween, the second landing region comprising a second substantially planar locating surface, the first and second flange members of the second connection region being selectively crimpable inwardly in a direction along the transverse axis; and a bridge member supporting the first and second profile members in a spaced relationship, the bridge member comprising:
a body portion extending in a direction along the longitudinal axis and having at least first and second longitudinal edges on opposite sides of the body portion in a direction along a height axis, wherein the height axis is perpendicular to the transverse and longitudinal axes;first and second head portions carried at the first and second longitudinal edges, respectively;the first head portion defining a first outer planar surface, a recessed region defined between ends of the first outer planar surface, and first and second inner planar surfaces, the first outer planar surface of the first head portion and the first and second inner planar surfaces of the first head portion being mutually, parallel and spaced apart in a direction along the height axis, the first outer planar surface of the first head portion being in abutting contact with the first substantially planar locating surface, the recessed region of the first head portion being spaced apart from the first substantially planar locating surface, and the first and second inner planar surfaces of the first head portion engaging the first and second flange members of the first connection region crimped inwardly; and,the second head portion defining a first outer planar surface, a recessed region defined between ends of the first outer planar surface, and first and second inner planar surfaces, the first outer planar surface of the second head portion and the first and second inner planar surfaces of the second head portion being mutually parallel and spaced apart in a direction along the height axis, the first outer planar surface of the second head portion being in abutting contact with the second substantially planar locating surface, the recessed region of the second head portion being spaced apart from the second substantially planar locating surface, and the first and second inner planar surfaces of the second head portion engaging the first and second flange members of the second connection region crimped inwardly.