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
1999-09-07
2001-09-18
Stodola, Daniel P. (Department: 3634)
Static structures (e.g., buildings)
Framing to receive door, doorjamb, or window sash
With one movable door section and at least one fixed section
C049S505000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06289643
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to sliding door assemblies and, more particularly, to motorized sliding door assemblies designed for residences.
2. Description of the Related Art
It is widely known that, in residences, standard ceiling heights range between 90 and 96 inches and standard door heights range between 80 and 82 inches. The distance between the top of the door and the ceiling, hereinafter called the header space, ranges between 10 and 16 inches. When constructing doorways on exterior or interior support walls, a single thick piece of wood is used as a single header, or two thin pieces of wood placed side-by-side are used as a double header to support the ceiling load. As a result, any empty space above the door for other structures or other objects is small or non-existent.
Many mechanical doors for residences, such as garage doors, are rated according to the number of times they are opened. For example, inexpensive garage doors are rated for 10,000 to 20,000 openings, while more expensive garage doors are rated for 30,000 to 50,000 openings. The different ratings are usually attributed to the design of the door and the quality of materials.
In many residences, pocket doors are commonly constructed in non-supporting, interior walls where wall and room space is limited or when a hinged door is architecturally undesirable. Typically, pocket doors are lightweight and include two or more guide wheels attached to the top edge of the door that travel along a horizontally aligned rail attached to the inside surface of a header jam on a pocket door frame. Additional guide wheels or clips may be attached to the bottom edge of the door to keep it vertically aligned inside the pocket door frame. The pocket door is opened by manually pushing it into a “pocket”, built into the wall located adjacent to the opening.
Pocket doors described above have not been used as entrance doors in residences for many reasons. First, they are not sufficiently durable for the numerous openings entrance doors typically must endure. Second, the limited space above the header required for doors and their reduced security and weatherproofing characteristics make them undesirable. Third, many residence owners find manually opening and closing a sliding door more inconvenient or difficult than opening and closing a hinged door.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is an object of the present invention to provide a sliding door assembly to be used as an interior or exterior door in a residence.
It is another object of the present invention to provide such a sliding door assembly that is motorized and capable of being used on standard, 2×4 wood stud frame walls.
It is a further object to provide such a sliding door assembly that includes adequate security and weather-resistant features required for an exterior door.
These and other objects of the present invention are met by a motorized sliding door assembly for a residence comprising a sliding door disposed in a support frame constructed in a standard opening in a standard exterior or interior 2×4 stud frame wall. The support frame includes a full extending, load bearing header, two vertical, equal-length side posts, and a threshold. During installation, the header is supported on its opposite ends by a header adjustment means located on the upper end of each side post that enable the header to be positioned against the ceiling top plate to support the ceiling load.
When the header is positioned against the ceiling top plate, the ceiling load is transferred to the side posts and then to the threshold. Disposed longitudinally inside the header is a track rail that is directly supported by the upper end of each side post thereby disposing the track rail parallel to the threshold. During assembly, the sliding door includes a set of wheels attached to brackets that enable the sliding door to move longitudinally along the track rail.
Also located inside the header is a low profile motor coupled to the sliding door that selectively moves the sliding door longitudinally along the track rail. In the preferred embodiment, the motor is a brush-less, linear motor with no moving parts to reduce sound and lower service requirements. The motor is electrically connected to an electricity source and a switch means that allows the user to selectively open and close the sliding door.
The threshold is approximately the same length of the header and extends horizontally below the two side posts. It is used to attach the side posts to the sub-floor and to transfer the ceiling load and the weight of the header and sliding door to the sub-floor. Disposed between the threshold and the lower end of the sliding door is a guide means that keeps the sliding door in alignment over the threshold during operation.
Disposed vertically over approximately one-half the opening located inside the support frame are two fixed panels. The fixed panels are longitudinally aligned in a fixed, parallel position inside the open space created inside the support frame. The fixed panels are spaced-apart thereby creating a pocket in which the sliding door may enter when the sliding door is opened.
Located around the inside and outside surfaces of the support frame and the fixed panels is a sealing frame assembly that beautifies the assembly and creates a secure, weather-resistant barrier when the sliding door is closed. An optional locking means is also provided between the sliding door and the frame assembly for additional security.
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Autoglide, Inc.
Cohen Curtis A.
Craine Dean A.
Stodola Daniel P.
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