Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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This invention relates to a self-adjusting weather strip, the
principal components of which are a pair of cooperating aluminum extrusions.
Many attempts have been made to pr ovide a weather strip which is
effective in sealing a door or the like, and the present invention is an improve-
ment over all known prior art inasmuch as a secure seal is achieved, even
when the strip is employed with a door having a slight warp which would be
suFficient to make most or all other weather strips ineffective.
The invention disclosed herein provides a weather strip which is
self-adjusting, with the novelty residing in a pair of aluminum extrusions, one
extrusion having a channel, with an elongate opening along one side, the channel
being adapted to receive a portion of the second extrusion, which projects
through the opening, with spring means within the channel normally urging the
second extrusion toward one side thereof, as will become clear hereinafter.
The weather stripping disclosed herein is effective in sealing a door or the
like even though that door has a considerable warp. Further, the spring action
provided by the subject weather strip effectively creates a maximum seal between
the weather strip and the door or the like to which it is applied such seal being
greatly enhanced by the novel spring means provided.
It is therefore a principal object of this invention to provide a
self-adjusting weather strip assembly comprised of: a main aluminum extrusion
having a flat elongate base plate with an integral channel therealong, said
channel being rectangular in cross section and having an elongate opening along
one side thereof; a second elongate aluminum extrusion configured generally as
an I beam in cross section, one cross bar of the I being approximately square in
cross section and being adapted to be slidably received in the channel of said
main extrusion with the stem of the I passing through said elongate opening thereof,
the other cross bar of said I having means to retain an elongate weather strip
facing member; a plurality of curved bar springs within said channel between the
side thereof opposite said elongate opening and the square bar of said 1, said
springs each having an integral short extension projecting from one end thereof
adapted to bite an aluminum surface when urged thereagainst and to maintain
said spring positioned thereagainst; and weather stripping affixed along the face
of the second cross bar.
This and other objects of the invention will become apparent in the
f~ ~_1_ ~
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~ht of the following description.
Reference will now be made to the accompanying drawings in which:
Figure 1 is a perspective view of a main extrusion;
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Figure 2 is a perspective view of a second extrusion;
Figure 3 is a partial plan view of the extrusions of Figures 1 and 2
in partially engaged relationship;
Figure 4 is a view similar to that of Figure 3 with the extrusions
in further partial engagement;
Figure 5 is a perspective view of a self-locking bar spring employed
in the weather strip;
Figures 6 and 7 are sectional views taken along lines 6-6 and 7-7,
respectively, of Figure 8;
Figure 8 is a side elevation partly in section of a weather strip
according to the invention installed abutting a door, and is taken along line 8-8
of Figure 9; and
Figure 9 is a plan view of a door having weather strip installed
thereagai nst.
Detailed reference will now be made to the drawings wherein like
reference numeral s wi l l i dentify I ike parts.
As seen in Figures 1 and 2 an elongate aluminum extrusion indicated
generally at 10 has a base plate 12 with a central channel of rectangular cross
section formed thereon by rear wall 14, top wall 16 and a pair of lips 18 and 20,
parallel with rear wall 14, lip 18 depending downwardly from top wall 16, lip
20 projecting upwardly from base plate 12, creating an elongate groove there-
between, in open communication with the inerior of the rectangular channel thus
formed. Base plate 12 extends outwardly beyond wall 14 and 22, to provide a
mounting plate for the weather strip as will become clear hereinafter. Base
plate 12 correspondingly projects outwardly beyond lip 20 at 24, as top wall 16
correspondingly projects outwardly an equal amount.
Illustrated in Figure 1 is a ~piston~ extrusion indicated generally
by reference numeral 26 having the general configuration of an I beam, with one
cross bar 28 of the beam having a square cross section, the other cross bar
having an elongate groove 30 running the length thereof.
As seen in Figures 3 and 4 the channel of aluminum extrusion 10 is
adapted to receive a plurality of springs 32 illustrated in perspective in Figure
5, and in broken lines in Figures 3 and 4, and as well slidably to receive bar
28 of extrusion 26. As seen most clearly in Figure 5 spring 32 has a curved
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~r configuration, and at one enci an integral, short, extension 34, projecting
therefrom. Spring 32 is constructed of spring steel, and projection 24 will
tend to bite rear wall 1~ of extrusion 10, when placed thereagainst as shown
in Figures 3 and 4. Thus, bar 28 of extrusion 26 is slidably urged into engage-
ment in extrusion 10, spring 32 having been positioned therein will remain in
the predetermined position selected, as bar 28 of extrusion 26 passes there-
against, slightly compressing spring 32 against wall 14 of extrusion 10, with
spring 32 remaining in the pre-selected position within the channel of extrusion
10. As seen in Figure 4, for example, spring 32 has remained in its initial
position, as extrusion 26 slides further into extrusion 10.
As seen in Figures 3, 4 and 8, screw holes 36 are provided along
the length of plate 22, appropriately spaced.
Referring now to Figures 6, 7 and 8, the weather strip according
to the invention is illustrated in mounted position along the edge of a door 38.
It will be seen that a pile weather strip 40, such as the poly-pile weather
stripping manufactured and sold by Schlegal, Oakville, Ontario, is slidably
engaged within groove 30 of extrusion 26, for sealing engagement with door 38.
In mounting the self-adjusting weather stripping according to the invention,
door 38 is pulled closed, and the weather stripping is held on the side of the
door frame, on the side opposite to which the door opens. The assembled
weather strip is pressed firmly against the door, when the door has been firmly
latched, to the extent that the pile weather stripping 40 urges the extrusion
"piston~ 26 inwardly within extrusion 10, against the resistance of spring 32,
so that a firm contact is created between pile 40 and door 38. With the weather
stripping so held in place, manually, marks are made through each of screw
holes 36. The door may then be opened, and the weather strip assembly affixed
to the door frame readily. Suitable caulking compound may be applied to the
face of base 12 of the weather strip assembly before mounting. A shorter
piece of self-adjusting weather strip according to the invention is also employed
along the top of the door, and, if necessary, along the hinge edge of the door.
Alternatively, however, weather stripping without the spring action of the
subject weather strip may be employed along the hinge edge of a door being
weather stripped.
With particular reference to Figures 6 and 7 it will be seen that
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u~hen door 38 is -fully closed pile weather strip ~0 is pressed firmly against
the inner edge of the door. Comparing Figure 6 with Figure 7 (and noting the
corresponding section lines in Figure 8) it will be seen that even though door
38 is slightly warped so that it is slightly further away from the pile 40, at the
point indicated by section line 7-7 than it is at the point indicated by section
line 6-6, the action of springs 32 against L beam extrusion 26 urges the forward
edge of Ibeam 26, and thus weather pile 4Q into close engagement with door 38,
to achieve an effective weather seal.
It has been found that the provision of only three springs 32 is all
that is required for a door of average height, that is, approximately seven feet,
with one spring near each end, and a third spring near the center. The action
of springs 32, and the slight pliability of aluminum extrusion 26 cooperate to
achieve a complete and effective seal as described.
The foregoing is by way of example only, and the invention should
be limited only by the scope of the appended claims.
