Movable or removable closures – Threshold
Reexamination Certificate
1999-09-22
2001-09-18
Redman, Jerry (Department: 3634)
Movable or removable closures
Threshold
Reexamination Certificate
active
06289635
ABSTRACT:
TECHNICAL FIELD
This invention relates generally to threshold assemblies for installation in entryways of buildings and more specifically to handicap threshold assemblies configured to be easily traversable by a wheelchair.
BACKGROUND
A threshold assembly is that portion of an entryway system that underlies the door and, in many instances, one or more sidelights or side panels that flank the door. Threshold assemblies have evolved significantly over the past few decades from wooden thresholds, to thresholds formed of simple static aluminum extrusions, to complex modern threshold assemblies, which usually incorporate extruded aluminum portions with adjustable threshold caps and sophisticated water shedding and sealing mechanisms. In the case of entryways with sidelights, modern threshold assemblies are designed to be continuous; that is, to extend continuously without breaks beneath the door, sidelights, and mull posts that separate them. Such continuous sidelight sills reduce significantly the leakage problems common in older “box” construction sidelight entryways, wherein separate threshold sections underlie the door and sidelights. The same is true of patio door entryways, wherein a pair of doors are mounted in an entryway with one door being fixed and the other being hinged for opening and closing. Thus, whenever the terms sidelight entryway, sidelight sill, sidelight cap, and terms of similar import are used herein, it will be understood that the discussion also is equally applicable to patio door entryways and, in fact, to any door unit having a fixed panel and a hinged door.
While modern threshold assemblies function substantially better than their older counterparts, they nevertheless have not generally been designed with the handicapped or otherwise wheelchair bound person in mind. For example, their height and profile oftentimes present difficult or impossible barriers to a handicapped person wishing to enter a building in a wheelchair. In many instances, the thresholds can only be traversed with the help of another, which is inconvenient and can even be embarrassing or degrading to the handicapped individual.
While threshold assemblies adapted to be traversed by a wheelchair have been developed, and standards to handicap thresholds are set forth in the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) the evolution of handicap thresholds has generally not kept pace with that of standard threshold assemblies. For example, many handicap threshold assemblies fail to incorporate the water sealing technologies of standard assemblies and are thus susceptible to leaks between the threshold and a closed door, particularly during driving or wind blown rains. Further, currently available handicap thresholds are not designed to accommodate entryways with sidelight panels, which nevertheless are popular and common architectural features. In cases where a handicapped accessible entryway includes sidelights, door manufacturers have been left with the old box method of accommodating the sidelights, which, as mentioned above, leads to leaks and also to increased manufacturing complexity.
Thus, a need exists for a handicap threshold assembly that incorporates the leak resistance of modern standard threshold assemblies, that easily accommodates entryways with sidelight panels, and that also meets ADA standards for easy traversal by an individual in a wheelchair. It is to the provision of such a threshold assembly that the present invention is primarily directed.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Briefly described, the present invention, in one preferred embodiment thereof, comprises a continuous handicap threshold assembly for installation beneath the door and sidelights of an entryway system. The threshold assembly comprises an elongated preferably extruded aluminum body having a threshold portion for underlying a closed door, an exterior sill that extends outwardly and slopes downwardly from the threshold portion, and an interior sill that projects in the opposite direction from the threshold portion. The body is profiled to extend a maximum of one-half inch above the floor in order to meet ADA standards and to be easily traversable by an individual in a wheelchair.
The threshold portion of the assembly projects upwardly a relatively small distance from the exterior and interior sills to define dams that extend along the junction of the sills and the threshold portion. These dams form barriers that prevent the leakage of rainwater across the threshold portion and into a building. Exterior and interior lips project a short distance horizontally from the tops of the dams so that each dam and its lip define a detent or groove that extends along the length of the threshold body.
The threshold assembly of this invention is particularly suited for use with an entryway having an openable door flanked by a fixed panel such as one or two sidelights. When used with such an entryway, the body of the assembly extends continuously beneath both the door and the sidelight panels. Sidelight caps, preferably formed of extruded plastic material, are configured to fit atop the threshold body in the regions that underlie each of the sidelight panels. Each sidelight cap is configured to snap into place on the body overlying the threshold portion thereof and to receive, support, and seal against a sidelight panel resting on the cap. In this regard, each sidelight cap is formed with an elongated horizontal upper surface supported along each edge by a pair of depending legs. The cap has a width greater than the width of the threshold portion of the body and is configured to cover the threshold portion in a region that underlies a sidelight panel. A pair of tabs project inwardly from the bottoms of each depending leg and the tabs are sized and configured to be received in respective ones of the grooves formed by the dams and lips. Thus, each threshold cap can be snapped into place on the body covering the threshold portion in the region of a sidelight panel. Further, the sidelight caps can be cut to length easily and selectively positioned at any desired location along the threshold body. The threshold assembly is therefore fully adaptable to any fixed panel/openable door entryway, whether it be a double sidelight entryway, a left hand sidelight entryway, a right hand sidelight entryway, or a patio door entryway.
Accordingly, a continuous handicap threshold assembly is now provided that successfully addresses the problems and shortcomings of the prior art. The assembly meets ADA standards; incorporates dual dams to prevent migration of rainwater; extends continuously beneath both the door and its sidelights, thereby eliminating the need for the box construction used in the past; and includes selectively positionable sidelight caps to accommodate virtually any sidelight or patio door entryway configuration. These and other features and advantages will become more apparent upon review of the detailed description set forth below, when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawing figures, which are briefly described as follows.
REFERENCES:
patent: 4104830 (1978-08-01), Eagle
patent: 5010690 (1991-04-01), Geoffrey
patent: 5517788 (1996-05-01), McGough et al.
patent: 5673517 (1997-10-01), Stanclift
patent: 5687508 (1997-11-01), Fitzhenry et al.
patent: 5706607 (1998-01-01), Frey
Massey Victor T.
Procton Brad I.
Staskiewicz John E.
Endura Products, Inc.
Redman Jerry
Womble Carlyle Sandridge & Rice PLLC
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