Frameless Sliding Glass Door with Split Frame and Flexible Seals
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing sliding doors and windows in luxury stadium settings fail to provide uninterrupted viewing while maintaining weatherproof integrity and accommodating live loads without obstructive framing, and they often require deep tracks that conceal the gap between the door or window and the sill.
Innovation Solution
A frameless sliding glass door or window system with free-floating glass panels and a split frame that includes stationary and movable panels, sealed by flexible strips and internal rollers, allowing for unobstructed viewing and weatherproofing, and accommodating live loads without deep tracks.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a peripheral frame is used to secure the door or window, then structural integrity and weatherproofing are improved, but the view from inside is obstructed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the traditional peripheral frame from the door assembly, extracting only the essential glazing edges while eliminating the obstructive frame structure. This allows the glass panels to form the door without surrounding frames that would block the view, while maintaining weatherproofing through edge sealing mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs flexible sealing strips and thin film-like edge treatments on the glass panels to provide weatherproofing without rigid frames. These flexible elements conform to the glass edges and create weather-tight seals while remaining visually minimal and non-obstructive to the view.
2Strength
If a metal frame with vertical and horizontal members is used to surround individual glazing panels, then structural strength is improved, but the device complexity and visual obstruction increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the load-bearing function from the traditional metal frame structure and transfers it to the glass panels themselves and the mounting hardware. By removing the vertical and horizontal frame members that surround each panel, the design achieves structural strength through alternative means while dramatically reducing complexity and visual obstruction.
Solution Approach 2:
The glass panels serve multiple functions: they provide the glazing function, bear structural loads, and eliminate the need for separate framing members. The mounting hardware performs both attachment and structural support functions, reducing the overall system complexity while maintaining strength.
3Shape
If deep tracks are used to conceal the gap between the door or window and the sill, then aesthetic appearance is improved, but the device complexity and installation difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the deep track structure entirely, extracting only the essential gap-closing function. By eliminating the deep recessed tracks that were needed to conceal gaps, the design achieves aesthetic appearance through minimalistic means while greatly simplifying installation and manufacturing.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the dimensional parameters of the gap between the door and sill from a concealed deep track configuration to an exposed minimal gap. This parameter change achieves aesthetic appearance through the minimalistic reveal while eliminating the complex deep track structure that would complicate manufacturing and installation.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The solution provides enhanced viewing opportunities, preserves structural integrity and safety, maintains weatherproofing, and allows for selected access to the exterior, enhancing spectator satisfaction and facility security.
Implementation Method 1
A top rail is mounted to the upper edge of the glazing panel and is suspended from the upper longitudinal track for longitudinal movement. Vertical rails are mounted to the vertical edges of the glazing panel. A bottom rail is supported on the lower longitudinal track for longitudinal movement.
Data Source
AI summary
The improved sliding glass door or window includes several glass panels that are mounted free-floating in a split frame with an upper and lower section that permits the glass panels to form at least a portion of an external wall of a skybox or the like. The frame and the glass panels that form the portion of the external wall preserves the weatherproofing of the room while also maintaining the safety and security of the room. The glass panels include spaced apart stationary end panels and at least one movable intermediate panel and possibly more intermediate panels as desirable. The end panels each abut against respective room walls with a flexible strip to seal the sliding glass door or window to the walls. The movable intermediate panels may be moved interiorly toward a fixed wall to provide access to the exterior of the room. The intermediate panels seal against the stationary panels to seal the sliding glass door or window thereto.