Static structures (e.g. – buildings) – Framing to receive door – doorjamb – or window sash – Lintel
Reexamination Certificate
1998-04-24
2001-01-09
Friedman, Carl D. (Department: 3635)
Static structures (e.g., buildings)
Framing to receive door, doorjamb, or window sash
Lintel
C052S097000, C052S204100, C052S210000, C052S302100, C049S408000, C049S471000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06170207
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to a door or window frame construction and method of installation, the frame construction having a water stop in its head, the water stop providing an improved resistance to water leakage.
2. Description of Related Art
The prior art describes various doors (and windows) wherein the sill of the door includes a construction known as a “water stop.” The water stop includes a basin in the sill that collects water running off the door. The water stop then channels the water to the exterior of the structure through a series of holes known as a “weep holes.” By channeling the water out through the weep holes, the frame of the door prevents water from leaking into the house. Patents that describe this construction include Riegelman, U.S. Pat. No. 3,199,156 and Dallaire el al., U.S. Pat. No. 4,922,661.
The prior art teaches the use of a water stop in the sill of the door, but it does not teach the use of a water stop in the head of the door. Since the head of the frame is generally built directly into the wall of the structure, it does not appear logical to include a water stop in the head of the frame. Yet there is a long-felt need for a structural improvement in the construction of frames to prevent leakage over the top of the frame. This need is especially great when an original door is removed and replaced with a new door. The replacement frame is often prone to leakage. The present invention fulfills the need for an improved frame resistant to this type of leakage and provides further related advantages as described in the following summary.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention teaches certain benefits in construction and use that give rise to the objectives described below.
The present invention provides an exterior wall frame construction for excluding rain or other moisture. The frame has a head, a sill, and two jambs. The two jambs are each connected to the head and the sill for holding a door or a window. The water stop is located at the head of the frame. The water stop has a top surface, a front sidewall, and a water containment means. The front sidewall extends upwardly from the top surface to form a barrier against water leaking over the frame from the exterior of the structure. The front sidewall has at least one weep hole located adjacent to the top surface, the weep hole being a conduit through the front sidewall allowing water to drain from the water stop to the outside of the building. In its preferred configuration, the water containment means is a rear sidewall extending upwardly from the top surface to prevent water from leaking from the top surface of the head into the interior of the structure. Furthermore, the top surface is preferably slanted downward from the rear sidewall to the front sidewall, so that any water leaking onto the top surface runs down to the front sidewall and out the weep hole. Finally, the water containment means preferably further includes a pair of end caps that snap onto the front and rear sidewalls and the top surface to prevent water leakage over the sides of the frame. In various embodiments, the water stop is either attached to or integral with the head of the frame.
A primary objective of the present invention is to provide a frame for a door or window that does not leak, thereby having advantages not taught by the prior art.
Another objective is to provide a water stop on the head of a door or window frame, the water stop being positioned to exclude water that leaks into the wall of a structure.
A further objective is to provide a water stop that can be used to convert a prior art window into an improved frame construction that is resistant to leakage.
A further objective is to provide an improved frame construction that can be used in new construction and still provide the benefits of a water stop to avoid leakage.
Other features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following more detailed description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, which illustrate, by way of example, the principles of the invention.
REFERENCES:
patent: 2733487 (1956-02-01), Hauck
patent: 3199156 (1965-08-01), Reigelman
patent: 3314201 (1967-04-01), Reigelman
patent: 3638372 (1972-02-01), Rosenthal
patent: 4073035 (1978-02-01), Baus
patent: 4125141 (1978-11-01), Stillwell
patent: 4922661 (1990-05-01), Dallaire et al.
patent: 5121951 (1992-06-01), Harbom et al.
patent: 5321921 (1994-06-01), Holt
patent: 5653068 (1997-08-01), Moody et al.
patent: 5836120 (1998-11-01), DeBower
patent: 5887387 (1999-03-01), Dallaire
patent: 598791 (1960-05-01), None
patent: 901388 (1972-05-01), None
patent: 1435117 (1976-05-01), None
patent: 2220219 (1990-01-01), None
Dorsey Dennis L.
Friedman Carl D.
Karich Eric
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