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
1999-11-12
2001-11-20
Friedman, Carl D. (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
C052S204700, C052S204510, C052S204570, C049S366000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06318036
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
In the construction of patio door assemblies having one swinging door panel and one fixed door panel, it is common to form the jamb and head or members of wood and attaching the jamb members to an extruded plastic or aluminum sill member. A vertical astragal member is spaced between the jamb members and is also commonly formed of wood as are the rectangular frames for the fixed and swinging door panels. It is also common to use three or four butt hinges to mount the swinging door panel on either one of the jamb members or on the astragal member. The main patio door frame and each of the frames for the door panels have been constructed with sections of extruded plastics material such as a rigid polyvinylchloride (PVC). One of the jamb members or the astragal member and the adjacent extruded section of the swinging door frame are then notched or mortised for receiving a set of butt hinges.
The problems associated with previously produced patio door assemblies using extruded vinyl frame sections include the problems of sagging and warping of the main frame and/or the frame for the swinging door panel due to distortion of the different extrusions or profiles especially when the extrusions are notched for attaching the butt hinges. With any such patio door assembly using extruded rigid plastics or vinyl sections, it is highly desirable for the sections forming the main door frame and the sections forming the frame of each of the door panels to have a uniform profile or cross-sectional configuration so that the sections may be joined together with welded mitered corners to provide a high strength frame. The extruded sections and components should also be designed and assembled to eliminate the use of internal metal reinforcing members and to provide for substantial rigidity without distortion over an extended period of time.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention is directed to an improved patio door assembly wherein a main door frame and the frame of each door panel are formed of extruded sections of a rigid plastics material or vinyl and are designed and assembled to eliminate sagging and/or warping of the main frame and/or the swinging door panel, and which also provide a neat and attractive appearance. The patio door assembly of the invention is also designed for easy and rapid assembly of the swinging door panel onto the astragal member and also provides for a rigid and durable support for the swinging door from the astragal member.
In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention, a main patio door frame is constructed with extruded vinyl jamb members, head member and sill member each having substantially the same profile and which are secured together with welded mitered corner joints. An extruded aluminum approach member snap-fits onto the outer portion of the vinyl sill member, and an extruded vinyl riser member is attached to the inner portion of the sill member. An extruded vinyl astragal member has parallel side walls with outwardly projecting stop portions, and includes internal laterally connecting walls with bosses which receive long screws extending through inner and outer portions of the sill and head members.
A fixed door panel and a swinging door panel have identical rectangular frames enclosing insulated glazing or glass panels, and each frame is formed with a vinyl extrusion having parallel spaced side walls and inner walls integrally connected by laterally extending walls perpendicular to the side and inner walls. The swinging door panel is supported by the astragal member with a continuous gear hinge having an inactive leaf with a locating tab and mounted on the astragal member by vertically spaced pairs of screws which extend through the astragal member and secure one side of the fixed door panel frame.
The continuous gear hinge has a slightly shorter active leaf with a curved edge portion and covers the adjacent edge surface of the pivotal door panel frame. The active leaf is secured to the door frame by long screws which thread into the internal cross walls of the door panel frame. The leaves of the continuous gear hinge function as a gauge for precisely spacing the pivotal door panel between the head and sill members. The vinyl frame of each door panel has welded mitered corner joints which cooperates with the profile of the frame to prevent warping of the door panel, and the support of the pivotal door panel with the astragal member and the continuous gear hinge prevents sagging of the door panel in both its open and closed positions.
Other features and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following description, the accompanying drawings and the appended claims.
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Cox Dennis D.
Hauberg Jonathan C.
Schmidt Donald F.
Siudzinski Paul A.
Stammen David A.
A Phi Dieu Tran
Dayton Technologies, L.L.C.
Friedman Carl D.
Jacox Meckstroth & Jenkins
LandOfFree
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