Static structures (e.g. – buildings) – Framing to receive door – doorjamb – or window sash – Architrave; i.e. – finish strip on floor – ceiling – or wall...
Reexamination Certificate
1999-02-24
2001-04-24
Callo, Laura A. (Department: 3635)
Static structures (e.g., buildings)
Framing to receive door, doorjamb, or window sash
Architrave; i.e., finish strip on floor, ceiling, or wall...
C052S204100, C052S210000, C052S062000, C052S204550, C052S656400, C052S209000, C049S467000, C049S471000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06219979
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to the field of thresholds. More specifically, it relates to a threshold assembly which substantially contributes to sealing capacity of the doors against water attempting to infiltrate from the outside area into the building.
2. Description of the Prior Art
The use of doors in conjunction with threshold assemblies is common in today's construction. External doors are usually mounted together with a threshold assembly, above which the door is located in its closed position. Basically, a threshold assembly comprises a sill facing outwardly from the building and a threshold facing inwardly towards the building.
It is known, that one of the major problems in house construction is that of preventing the leakage of water from the exterior of the house. Among other functions, thresholds accomplish the important function of barrier to moisture and water infiltration.
As it is known, threshold assemblies are attached to the jambs of door frames. During manufacture, transport, assembly with the door frame in buildings and use, a gap between each jamb and the sill appears. Moreover, since the sill is formed from aluminum and the threshold is formed from a plastic, such as polyvinyl chloride or any of a plurality of relatively rigid plastics, commonly known under the name “vinyl” their dilation and contraction characteristics are very different, and a gap due to the climatic changes appears. This gap enlarges the gap mentioned above.
From the prior art there are known sealing attachments which are joined to the doors to eliminate or at least substantially reduce only the passage of water beneath
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the lower edge of the door frame.
Several U.S. and Canadian Patents have addressed the issue of sealing attachments to the doors.
The following disclosures relate to various types of known attachments:
Sowers (U.S. Pat. No. 5,642,588, issued Jul. 1, 1997); Biebuyck (U.S. Pat. No. 5,469,665, issued Nov. 28, 1995); Fulford (U.S. Pat. No. 5,361,552. issued Nov. 8, 1994); Biebuyck (U.S. Pat. No. 5,319,882, issued Jun. 14, 1994); Geoffrey (U.S. Pat. No. 5,230,181, issued Jul. 27, 1993); Woodruff (U.S. Pat. No. 5,214,880, issued Jun. 1, 1993); Knapp (U.S. Pat. No. 5,168,669, issued Dec. 8, 1992); Burnett (U.S. Pat. No. 5,150,544, issued Sep. 29, 1992); Shield (U.S. Pat. No. 5,022,206, issued Jun. 11, 1991); Heikkinen (U.S. Pat. No. 4,807,396, issued Feb. 28, 1989); and Opdyke (Canadian Appl. No. 2,203,482, publ. Oct. 26, 1997); Wilson (Canadian Appl. No. 2,132,741, publ. Sep. 30, 1993); Grimsdale (Canadian Pat. No. 2,072,909, issued Jul. 18, 1995); and Wicks (Canadian Pat. No. 2,034,320, issued Nov. 22, 1994).
The applicant believes that the cited disclosures, taken alone or in combination, neither anticipate or render obvious the present invention. The forgoing citations do not constitute an admission that such disclosures are relevant or material to the claims. Rather the disclosures are related to the field of the invention and are cited as constituting the closest art of which the applicant is aware.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
After substantial experimentation and testing, the inventor has reached the conclusion, that by using a threshold assembly for attachment to the lower exterior side of each of the two opposite jambs of a door frame, he eliminates or at least alleviates the leakage due to the disclosed gap. Thus, broadly described, the threshold assembly according to this invention comprises the combination of a sill with a pair of upwardly extending and oppositely facing lateral brackets. One of the lateral brackets of the pair is positioned perpendicularly at one end of the sill, to which it is firmly joined. The other lateral bracket is positioned and joined in the same manner, at the opposite end of the sill. Each of the lateral brackets is provided with holes for fastening means for attachment to the mentioned jambs. The sill and the lateral brackets form an unitary and continuous structure. In one aspect of the invention, each of said lateral brackets extends laterally beyond the sill, so that its length is commensurate with the width of the jamb. The holes are positioned at regular intervals to allow attachment to said jamb, on its whole width.
In another aspect of the invention, each of said lateral brackets is joined from its inside to the sill of their line of contact, by welding.
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Callo Laura A.
Kaufman Frederick
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