Static structures (e.g. – buildings) – Sectioned imperforate facing within perpheral frame; e.g.,...
Reexamination Certificate
2002-01-07
2003-04-22
Friedman, Carl D. (Department: 3635)
Static structures (e.g., buildings)
Sectioned imperforate facing within perpheral frame; e.g.,...
C052S456000, C052S204530, C052S204600
Reexamination Certificate
active
06550204
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF INVENTION
The invention pertains to door construction. More particularly, the invention relates to the construction of doors for exterior use that include transparent panels, rugged exterior surfaces while providing for use of decorative interior surfaces.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Various techniques have been developed for constructing doors that include transparent panels. The best of these techniques secure individual glass panels into a door construction rather than using a series of decorative strips to partition a single large glass panel. These techniques provide a more attractive appearance known as “true divided light”, eliminating unsightly shadows resulting from the use of the decorative strips.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,054,207 issued to Finley is directed to a foamed thermoplastic polymer and wood fiber material that can be extruded into profile members that can be used in a window or door assembly that can be easily installed, adjusted, shimmed, and trimmed using conventional fasteners and techniques. The profile components can be used in applications where wooden components have been used, such as trim, posts, beams, shaped structural members, or for the construction of fenestration units. These foamed units can be used as a replacement for stone, glass, and metal members, as well as wood.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,328,644 issued to Scott et al., discloses a plastic clad window having a wooden frame that faces the interior of a building. A wooden frame element is pre-assembled and then mounted in an already fabricated plastic shell using mastic and a series of staples or other fasteners to attach the shell to the jamb parts. Sash members are constructed in a fashion similar to the frame. The rearward portion of the frame is exposed toward the space inside the building and can be finished and trimmed in any suitable manner.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,265,388, issued to Sherwood is directed to a simplified window assembly using an outside and inside frame molded of a plastic polymer such as high-density polyurethane foam. Window installation has a window assembly formed of a pair of frames holding a pane. The frames, injection molded or cast molded, may be constructed of plastic polymers such as high-density polyurethane foam. Several inserts that can be made from wood are used to strengthen the frames.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,148,582 issued to Ellingson discloses a doorjamb assembly comprising a brick mold plastic extrusion fastened to a board jamb member. The door jamb/brick mold assembly comprises a jamb member, a flat wooden board adhesively secured to a unitary brick mold and stop member. The co-extrusion that forms the jamb member is substantially solid with the interior portion extruded of a relatively less dense blown thermoplastic material with an exterior skin formed of a relatively more dense non-blown thermoplastic material. The jamb member is formed defining a rabbit shaped and sized to receive the outside edge of the jamb member.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,720,951 issued to Thorn et al. is directed to a frame assembly for doors, windows and the like that include multiple smaller panes of glass separated by individual interior frames. A window frame consists of a pair of outer skins and a spacer. The skins are molded from such materials as fiberglass reinforced plastics, pressed board, vinyl esters, polystyrenes, or other moldable materials. Skins have an edge that defines an opening for the glass panel and are adapted to embrace an insert that is positioned between them. The insert can be wood, wood fiber, thermoplastics, and glass fiber reinforced thermosets. After assembly, the cavity between the skins is filled with a foamed insulating material. Multiple smaller panes of glass separated by individual interior frames may be used instead of one large pane of glass.
While other variations exist, the above-described designs for door and window construction are typical of those encountered in the prior art. It is an objective of the present invention to provide door constructions that include a rugged, weather resistant outer surface while allowing for a variety of decorative interior treatments. It is a further objective to provide door constructions for doors with multiple transparent panels that incorporate “true divided light” treatment for the panels. It is a still further objective of the invention to provide the above-described features in an inexpensive and readily reproducible format adapted to a variety of standard size door openings. It is yet a further objective to provide door constructions that allow for the use of less expensive “fill materials” without sacrificing strength or exterior appearance.
While some of the objectives of the present invention are disclosed in the prior art, none of the inventions found include all of the requirements identified.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention addresses many of the deficiencies of prior art composite door constructions and satisfies all of the objectives described above.
A composite door construction providing the desired features may be constructed from the following components. A transparent panel is provided. The panel has an inner surface, an outer surface, an upper edge, a lower edge and first and second side edges. A bottom rail is provided. The bottom rail includes a first exterior cap, the first cap is formed of weather-resistant material and has an outer surface, an inner surface, a first predetermined length, a first predetermined height, a first end, a second end, a top portion, a bottom portion, and a C-shaped cross-section. The C-shaped cross-section forms an interior cavity. The top and bottom portions have a first predetermined thickness.
The top portion has a first ledge extending from it. The first ledge is sized and shaped to receive the lower edge of the transparent panel. A first interior trim portion is provided. The first trim portion has an outer surface, an inner surface, the first predetermined length, the first predetermined height, a first end, a second end, a top edge, a bottom edge and a rectangular cross-section.
The first trim portion includes upper and lower receiving notches in the top and bottom edges, respectively. The receiving notches are located adjacent the outer surface of the first trim portion and having a depth equal to the first predetermined thickness. The first interior trim portion is attached to the first exterior cap with the top and bottom portions located within the upper and lower receiving notches and the inner surface of the first trim portion located adjacent the inner surface of the first exterior cap. A top rail is provided. The top rail includes a second exterior cap.
The second cap is formed of weather-resistant material and has an outer surface, an inner surface, the first predetermined length, a second predetermined height, a first end, a second end, a top portion, a bottom portion, and a C-shaped cross-section. The C-shaped cross-section forms an interior cavity. The top and bottom portions have the first predetermined thickness. The bottom portion has a second ledge extending from it. The second ledge is sized and shaped to receive the upper edge of the transparent panel. A second interior trim portion is provided. The second trim portion has an outer surface, an inner surface, the first predetermined length, the second predetermined height, a first end, a second end, a top edge, a bottom edge and a rectangular cross-section.
The second trim portion includes upper and lower receiving notches in the top and bottom edges, respectively. The receiving notches are located adjacent the outer surface of the second trim portion and having a depth equal to the first predetermined thickness. The second interior trim portion is attached to the second exterior cap with the top and bottom portions located within the upper and lower receiving notches and the inner surface of the second trim portion located adjacent the inner surface of the second exterior cap.
First and second side stiles are provided. The first and second side stiles include third and fourth exterior ca
Herrera Alex D.
Herrera Steve G.
Pangburn Richard Harry
Belasco David A.
Belasco, Jacobs & Townsley
McDermott Kevin
The Door Project, LLC
LandOfFree
Composite door construction does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with Composite door construction, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Composite door construction will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-3060472