Static structures (e.g. – buildings) – Framing to receive door – doorjamb – or window sash
Reexamination Certificate
1999-03-18
2001-02-13
Kent, Christopher T. (Department: 3635)
Static structures (e.g., buildings)
Framing to receive door, doorjamb, or window sash
C052S210000, C052S656400, C052S656600, C052S749100, C052S207000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06185881
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to fenestration products, such as a door assembly, for installation into a building. More particularly, the present invention concerns a reinforced fenestration product design that utilizes standard door hardware but still reduces the risk of intrusion through the product.
2. Discussion of Prior Art
The security of a building is highly dependent on the ability of an exterior door assembly to withstand large impact loads exerted against the outside of the door. This has previously been identified in our co-pending applications for U.S. Letters Patent Ser. No. 08/864,547, filed May 28, 1997, entitled REINFORCED FENESTRATION PRODUCT; U.S. Ser. No. 09/136,990, filed Aug. 20,1998, entitled REINFORCEMENT MEMBER FOR A FENESTRATION PRODUCT; U.S. Ser. No. 09/137,023, filed Aug. 20, 1998, entitled METHOD OF REINFORCING A DOOR; and U.S. Ser. No. 09/128,517, filed Aug. 3, 1998, entitled IMPROVED STRIKE PLATE FOR A DOOR ASSEMBLY; all of which are assigned of record to the assignee of the present application. It is noted that these prior applications disclose various inventions that improve the security provided by a fenestration product. As particularly indicated in the '517 application, there is still a risk of intrusion through a conventional door assembly, even though one or both of the door jambs has been reinforced. Specifically, it has been determined that a large impact load exerted against the exterior side of the door may cause the door latch bolt and lock bolt to fail (e.g., bend). This is believed to be attributable to the fact that a conventional door assembly will often require the distal ends of the latch bolt and, more importantly, the lock bolt to resist movement of the door when a large impact load is exerted against the exterior side of the door. There will consequently be a large moment experienced by the bolts, and they therefore have a tendency to fail (e.g., bend) under these conditions.
OBJECTS AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Responsive to these and other problems, an important object of the present invention is to provide an improved fenestration product that reduces the risk of intrusion therethrough. It is also an object of the present invention to provide an inexpensive and simple method of reinforcing a fenestration product. It is particularly an important object of the present invention to provide a reinforced fenestration product designed to prevent intrusion therethrough, without requiring new door latch or lock designs. In this respect, an important object of the present invention is to provide a fenestration product that is designed to prevent the door latch bolt and lock bolt from experiencing large moments when an impact load is exerted against the exterior side of the door. Another important object of the present invention is to provide such a fenestration product, with the product utilizing standard door hardware.
In accordance with these and other objects evident from the following description of the preferred embodiment, the present invention concerns a door assembly including a generally flat door jamb that presents an inwardly facing inner face and a generally oppositely facing outer face. A reinforcement plate is secured flatly against the outer face of the door jamb. Moreover, the door hardware (e.g., hinges and/or strike plates) positioned along the inner face of the door jamb are fastened to the reinforcement plate so that movement relative to the reinforcement plate and door jamb is prevented.
It is believed that this inventive arrangement essentially prevents dislodgement of standard door hardware when an impact load is exerted against the exterior side of the door. That is to say, the standard door hardware on the reinforced door assembly does not become the weak point of the product. This not only serves to reinforce the jamb to which the hardware is attached, but it also significantly reduces the risk of intrusion often associated with standard hardware failure. With particular respect to the strike plate, it has been determined that the inventive arrangement substantially decreases the moment experienced by the door latch bolt and lock bolt when a large impact load is exerted against the exterior side of the door, whereby failure of the door lock and door latch is virtually eliminated. In other words, because the strike plate is retained in the intended location, the door latch bolt and lock bolt resist movement of the door (e.g., when a large impact load is exerted against the exterior side of the door) generally at their respective bases (i.e., at a point along their respective lengths adjacent the side of the door), rather than adjacent their distal ends, as particularly described in the '517 application.
If desired, a sidelight assembly may be associated with the door assembly, with one of the window jambs being connected to the door jamb in such a manner that the reinforcement plate is located between the adjacent window and door jambs. The present invention is also concerned with an inventive method of reinforcing a door assembly, wherein the door hardware is fastened to the reinforcement plate secured flatly against the outer face of the door jamb.
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Allen David W.
Olberding Ronald E.
Edward Wayne, Inc.
Hovey Williams Timmons & Collins
Kent Christopher T.
Thissell Jennifer I.
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