Curtain wall system with enhanced resistance to blast forces

Abstract

Disclosed is a curtain wall system used for building exteriors. The curtain wall system includes at least one vertical mullion and at least one horizontal sill member. Either the vertical mullion, the horizontal sill member, or both are formed to include a channel of increased depth to facilitate the receipt of a panel member therein. The panel member is secured with a bonding agent. The channel of the vertical and horizontal mullions may be oriented near at least one of a front edge and a back edge or substantially near a center of the vertical mullion and horizontal sill member. This Abstract is provided to comply with rules requiring an Abstract that allows a searcher or other reader to quickly ascertain subject matter of the technical disclosure. This Abstract is submitted with the understanding that it will not be used to interpret or limit the scope or meaning of the claims. 37 CFR 1.72(b).

1 . A curtain wall system comprising: 
 at least one vertical mullion formed with a channel having a depth sufficiently increased for securing a panel member therein for enhanced resistance to a blast force;    at least one horizontal sill member formed with a channel for receiving said panel member; and    wherein the channel of said horizontal mullion is formed of an increased depth for enhanced resistance to a blast force.    
   
   
       2 . The curtain wall system of  claim 1 , wherein the channel of said vertical mullion is oriented near at least one of a front edge and a back edge of said vertical mullion.  
   
   
       3 . The curtain wall system of  claim 1 , wherein the channel of said horizontal sill member is oriented near at least one of a front edge and a back edge of said horizontal sill member.  
   
   
       4 . The curtain wall system of  claim 1 , further comprising an increased amount of a bonding agent placed in the channel of said horizontal sill member.  
   
   
       5 . The curtain wall system of  claim 1 , wherein said vertical mullion is formed as a single extrusion.  
   
   
       6 . The curtain wall system of  claim 1 , wherein said horizontal sill member is formed as a single extrusion.  
   
   
       7 . The curtain wall system of  claim 1 , wherein said vertical mullion is formed so as to include a plurality of channels.  
   
   
       8 . A vertical mullion for forming a curtain wall, the vertical mullion comprising: 
 at least one channel for receiving a panel member, the channel including:    a first side member of an increased length for receiving an increased portion of the panel member;    at least one of a base member and a sill member for receiving a portion of the panel member; and    a second member of an increased length for receiving an increased portion of the panel member.    
   
   
       9 . The vertical mullion of  claim 8 , wherein the channel is oriented near an edge of said vertical mullion.  
   
   
       10 . The vertical mullion of  claim 8 , wherein at least one of the first and second side members is oriented to receive substantially one inch or more of a bonding agent.  
   
   
       11 . The vertical mullion of  claim 8 , wherein the bonding agent comprises silicon.  
   
   
       12 . The vertical mullion of  claim 8 , wherein said vertical mullion is formed as a single extrusion.  
   
   
       13 . The vertical mullion of  claim 8 , wherein said at least one channel comprises a plurality of channels.  
   
   
       14 . The vertical mullion of  claim 13 , wherein the base member is common between two channels of the plurality of channels.  
   
   
       15 . A horizontal mullion for forming a curtain wall, the horizontal mullion comprising: 
 a channel for receiving a panel member, the channel including: 
 a first side member of an increased length for receiving an increased portion of the panel member;  
 a base member for receiving a base portion of the panel member; and  
 a second member of an increased length for receiving an increased portion of the panel member.  
   
   
   
       16 . The horizontal mullion of  claim 15 , wherein the channel is oriented near an edge of said horizontal mullion.  
   
   
       17 . The horizontal mullion of  claim 15 , wherein at least one of the first and second side members is oriented to receive substantially one inch or more of a bonding agent.  
   
   
       18 . The horizontal mullion of  claim 17 , wherein the bonding agent comprises silicon.  
   
   
       19 . The horizontal mullion of  claim 15 , wherein said horizontal mullion is formed as a single extrusion.  
   
   
       20 . The horizontal mullion of  claim 15 , wherein said at least one channel comprises a plurality of channels.