Static structures (e.g. – buildings) – Framing to receive door – doorjamb – or window sash – With one movable door section and at least one fixed section
Reexamination Certificate
1999-04-23
2001-03-13
Stephan, Beth A. (Department: 3635)
Static structures (e.g., buildings)
Framing to receive door, doorjamb, or window sash
With one movable door section and at least one fixed section
C052S656400, C052S651030, C049S411000, C049S425000, C049S504000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06199331
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to building structures, and, more particularly, to a sliding glass door resistant to high winds, such as hurricane force winds.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Various windows and glass doors have been developed in an effort to avoid the type of structural damage that may result from high winds, as may be experienced in a hurricane. For example, as a result of the widespread destruction caused by hurricane Andrew, new standards have been proposed in certain southern Florida counties to provide stronger windows and doors to decrease the damage to associated structures during severe storms. The glass used in wind resistant windows and doors is typically a laminated glass panel and includes at least one plastic reinforcing layer and one or more glass layers.
The new standard basically requires that the glass panel of the window or door absorb a first blow from an end of a wood 2×4 (weighing 9 lbs.) striking the center at 34 miles per hour. A second similar blow is directed to a corner area of the glass panel. Consequently, the glass is cracked but a large portion of the glass panel is retained in position to close the opening by a reinforcing plastic layer. Only a relatively small effective opening may be formed in the cracked glass panel by the 2×4 strikes. The window or door is next subjected to a pressure cycling test where positive and negative pressures are applied sequentially. A typical test would be 9,000 cycles of 75 lbs./sq. foot and −80 lbs./sq. foot. Positive indicates that the pressure is greater on the exterior of the window or door, and negative pressure indicates that the pressure on the interior of the window or door is greater. During the pressure cycling testing, the plastic film and glass in the glass panel becomes a sail and can exert relatively large forces on the window or door sash and frame members.
Unfortunately, if the window or glass door fails completely, pressures can be generated internal to the structure that may be sufficiently high to cause damage. For example, a portion or all of the roof may be blown from the structure. High quality windows and glass doors, such as those offered by Pella, for example, typically include a wood frame and wood sash and an exterior aluminum cladding material. The wood frame and sash are especially attractive, and can be shaped and painted to achieve a variety of pleasant designs.
However, the possibility of a wood window or wood glass door failing is further enhanced because the wooden styles and rails of the sash, for example, are typically relatively thin. Thus, the problems with addressing the above mentioned hurricane standards are especially difficult for high quality wood windows and wood glass doors. The respective styles and rails may flex, thereby increasing the wind-induced movement of the already cracked glass panel until the wood styles and rails fail or come completely loose from the structure. Sliding glass doors present an especially difficult challenge because of the relatively large surface area, and typical mounting arrangements of the door panels.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In view of the foregoing background, it is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a high quality wood sliding glass door assembly that is resistant to hurricane force winds.
It is another object of the invention to provide a method for increasing the resistance of wood sliding glass door assemblies to such winds.
These and other objects, features and advantages in accordance with the present invention are provided by a sliding door assembly including a door frame to be positioned in a structure opening. The door frame preferably includes a roller track extending along a bottom portion. In some embodiments, a fixed door panel may also be positioned in the door frame. The fixed door panel may include a fixed wood door sash, and a reinforced transparent panel carried by the fixed wood door sash. A sliding door panel is slidably positioned in the door frame and includes a sliding wood door sash, and at least one reinforced transparent panel carried by the sliding wood door sash. The sliding door panel further includes at least one roller extending outwardly from a bottom of the sliding wood door sash to engage the roller track.
At least one vertical constraining member, such as a shim, is preferably mounted adjacent a top of the sliding door panel for vertically constraining the sliding door panel against upward movement when in a closed position so that the roller remains engaged with the roller track. The at least one vertical constraining member thus helps to prevent the sliding door panel from coming off the roller tack despite forces generated during pressure cycling that occurs in hurricane force winds.
At least one bracket may be connected to the door frame adjacent the bottom of the sliding door panel to laterally confine the sliding door panel when the sliding door panel is in the closed position. More particularly, in an embodiment where the sliding door panel is outside the fixed door panel, one or two brackets may be provided adjacent the bottom of the sliding door panel on the outside of the structure. The brackets may be placed near the lower rollers which permit the door panel to slide. The one or more brackets prevent the lower portion of the sliding door panel from being forced outwardly from the structure. In other words, the brackets prevent the sliding door panel from jumping the track and being forced clear of a the door opening, thereby subjecting the interior of the dwelling to potentially damaging pressures.
The at least one vertical constraining member may comprise a pair of wedge-shaped shims with one shim secured to the upper edge of the sliding door panel adjacent an upper roller, and the other shim secured to the inside of the door frame. When the two shims engage, the sliding door panel is constrained against upward movement.
In another embodiment of the sliding door assembly, the sliding door panel is on the inside of the structure and the fixed door panel is outside. In this variation, the one or more lower brackets are provided on the inside of the structure. At least one shim may also be provided at the top of the sliding door panel.
Another aspect of the invention relates to making or installing a hurricane force wind resistant sliding door assembly. The method includes the step of positioning a door frame in a structure opening. The door frame preferably includes a roller track extending along a bottom portion of the door frame. The method may further include the steps of positioning a fixed door panel in the door frame, and positioning a sliding door panel in the door frame. The sliding door panel includes a sliding wood door sash and at least one reinforced transparent glass or plastic panel carried by the sliding wood door sash, and at least one roller extending outwardly from a bottom of the sliding wood door sash and engaging the roller track. The method may further include the step of mounting at least one vertical constraining member adjacent a top of the sliding door panel for vertically constraining the sliding door panel against upward movement when in a closed position so that the at least one roller remains engaged on the roller track.
In some embodiments, at least one bracket may be connected to the door frame adjacent the bottom of the sliding door panel to laterally confine the sliding door panel when the sliding door panel is in the closed position. The at least one shim or vertical constraining member also constrain the sliding door panel against upward movement in the embodiments including the one or more brackets.
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patent: 618282 (1899-01-01), McGuire
patent: 705081 (1902-08-01), Hennessey
patent: 1332989 (1920-03-01), Layeux
patent: 1505966 (1924-08-01), Murphy
patent: 1820715 (1931-08-01), Vance
patent: 1920855 (1933-08-01), Gloekler
patent: 2094990 (1937-10-01), Lang
patent: 2121094 (1938-06-01), Nuding et al.
patent: 2847726 (1958-08-01), Frick
patent: 2929115 (1960-03-01), Beck
Allen Dyer Doppelt Milbrath & Gilchrist, P.A.
Glessner Brian E.
Robert Hunt Corporation, USA
Stephan Beth A.
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