Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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Background of the Invention
Adjustable sill and threshold assemblies offer a
distinct advantage over conventional, fixed constructions, in
that they permit the formation of a weather tight seal between
the assembly and weather stripping on the lower edge of a
door associated therewith, despite variations in the door
lower edge from a position parallel to the threshold and at the
desired spacing. Considerable attention has been directed to
the design of a suitable, adjustable assembly of this type, as
10 exemplified by U.S. Patents No. 3,273,287 and 3,762,100.
In Patent No. 3,273,287 a U-shaped threshold is
received in a channel formed in the sill and attached to the
sill by means of screws passing through the threshold and sill.
To obtain the desired spacing between the sill and threshold,
washers are positioned on the screws to function as shims, with
the number of washers being varied as required to obtain the
desired spacing.
In Patent No. 3,762,100 the sill is also provided
~; -with a channel receiving the adjustable threshold. A bolt is
threaded into a portion of the sill within the channel and is
` provided with an enlarged head which bears on an under surface
of the threshold to support it relative to the sill. The vertical
adjustment of the threshold is accomplished by threading the
supporting bolts inwardly or outwardly with respect to the sill.
Separate retaining screws are then used to secure the threshold
in place after adjustment thereof.
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Each of the constructions described above relies
upon bolts, screws or the like both to position the threshold
with respect to the sill and also to fix the threshold in
a desired position. In adjusting this type of assembly the
door must be opened, the screws or bolts adjusted, and the
door closed to determine if the adjustment effected has been
ade~uate to provide a weather tight seal between the door
and the threshold. If not, the door must again be opened,
further adjustment made, the door closed to check the
seal, etc.
Summary of the Invention
In accordance with one aspect the present invention
provides an adjustable sill and threshold assembly comprising
a stationary sill, means defining a threshold groove extending
longitudinally of the sill, a threshold mounted for non-
pivoting, vertical movement on the sill over the groove,
and actuating means received in the groove beneath the
threshold for providing non-pivoting, vertical movement of
the threshold with respect to the stationary sill upon
; sliding movement of the actuating means Longitudinally o the
groove.
Thus, the present invention provides an adjustable
- sill and threshold assembly in which the stationary sill
includes a molded base of a suitable synthetic resinous
material having a threshold receiving groove along an inner
edge thereof and a tread portion having a series of drainage
channels molded therein and extending downwardly and outwardly
from the threshold receiving groove.
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Preferably the tread portion of the base is
provided with a cladding of aluminum or the like which extends
from beneath the lower surface of the tread portion, around
its outer edge, over the upper surface thereof, and terminates
in a U-shaped section positioned within the groove.
The movable threshold, which is also constructed
preferably of a synthetic resinous material, includes one
downwardly extending leg lying along an innermost wall of
the groove in the sill and a pair of spaced, parallel legs
extending downwardly and cooperating with an upwardly projecting
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leg of the U-sh~ped portion of the metal cladding to form
a labrynth seal therewith.
The groove is undercut along the innermost wall
thereof at a number of spaced locations, and actuators are
positioned in the groove at each of the undercut locations.
The actuators which, similarly to the sill and threshold,
are constructed of a synthetic resinous material, have inclined
ramps which cooperate with inclined ramps on the legs of
the threshold, so that upon sliding movement of the actuators
longitudinally of the groove in which they are received,
the threshold is adjusted vertically with respect to the sill.
~; The actuators are also provided with tool engaging
portions which project upwardly adjacent the innermost surface
of the groove and are engageable by the edge of a screw driver
blade or the like to allow the actuators to be slid along
the groove as required to obtain the desired vertical adjustment
of the threshold.
The tool engaging portions of the actuators each
have a shoulder which rides beneath the shoulder defined by
the undercut section of the groove, and together with a flange
of the actuator extending beneath the web of the U-shaped portion
of the metal cladding, prevent separation of the actuator from
the groove during adjustment of the threshold.
~ach actuator also includes outwardly projecting ears
which overlie upper surfaces of the inclined ramps of the threshold
to prevent separation of the actuators and the threshold during-
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and after adjustment operations. Thus, although the thresholdis adjustable vertically with respect to the sill, it is
prevented fro~ being separated from the sill.
The inclination of the ramps on the threshold and
S actuators is selected to provide the amount of vertical travel
of the threshold expected to be required for the amount of
horizontal movement of the actuators available, and the specific
synthetic resinous materials of which the components are con-
structed are selected for the most part in accordance with
the structural characteriætics required of each component.
To some extent, however, the requirement that the '
threshold remains in a,selected vertical position after adjustment
may affect the slope of the inclined ramps and the selection of
materials which have coefficients of friction within some range
lS of values. ,Additionally; the lower surfaces of the actuators
; and the bottom o the groove in the areas thereof which engage
the lower surfaces of,the actu,ators may be provided with small
projections to prevent inadvertent movement of the actuators
' when pressure is applied to the threshold or when the assembly
is vibrated or subjected to shocks.
' It will be seen, therefore, that the present invention
proYides an adjustable sill and threshold assembly in which the
threshold may be adjusted vertically as desired, without resort
-,1 to bolts; screws, shims or the like, but which is quickly and
; 25 easily adjusted with respect to the lower edge of a door
. associated ~ith the assembly whileithe door is closed to provide
a weather tight seal between the threshold and weather stripping
on the lower edge of the door.
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Brief Description of the Drawings
Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a portion of a doorway
incorporâting the present invention;
Fig. 2 is a perspective view of the molded base of
the assembly of the present invention;
S Fig. 3 is an exp~oded perspective view of a threshold
and metal cladding for the tread portion of the sill and
threshold assembly;
Fig. 4 is a perspective view of an actuator used
for adjusting the threshold with respect to the sill;
Fig. 5 is a plan view, partly in section, of a doorway
incorporating the present invention;
Fig. 6 is a view taken on line 6--6 of Fig. 5;
Fig. 7 is a view, partly in cross section, showing
a step in the assembly of the adjustable sill and threshold
assembly of the present invention;
Fig. 8 is a plan view of a portion of the sill and
threshold assembly;
Fig. 9 is a cross-sectional view taken generally
along line 9--9 of Fig. 8;
- Fig. 10 is a view similar to Fig. 9 but taken along
line 10--10 of Fig. 8;
Fig. 11 is a perspective view showing the under
surface of the a~justable threshold;
Fig. 12 is a perspective view of an actuator taken
from the opposite side thereof shown in Fig. 4;
Fig. 13 is a cross-sectional view taken generally
along llne 13--13 of Fig. ~;
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Fig. 14 is a view similar to Fig. 13, but taken
along line 14--14 of Fig. 10; and
Fig. 15 is a cross-sectional view through the sill
and threshold construction of the present invention showing,
in elevation, a lower portion of a door associated therewith.
Description of the Preferred Embodiments
A doorway incorporating the present invention, as
seen in Figs. 1, 5 and 15. of the drawings, includes the adjustable
sill and threshold assembly 10 extending between opposed jambs
10 12 and 14 and beneath a door 16 mounted on the jamb 14 by means
of hinges 18. The jambs 12 and 14 may carry suitable weather
stripping 20, engageable with the front face of the door, and
trim members 22 attached to the jambs by means of clips 2~
which also include legs 26 through which the jambs may be nailed
to studs 28 framing the doorway.
As ~est seen in Figs. 2 through 4, 6 and 15 of the
drawings, the assembly 10 includes a base member 30, a movable
threshold 32, metal cladding 34 and a series of actuators 36.
The molded base member 30 constitutes a fixed sill having a -;-
threshold receiving groove 38 extending along an inner edge
thereof and a tread portion 40 projecting downwardly and outwardly
from the groove 38. The base member 30 may also include grooves
42 adjacent each end thereof for receiving the lower ends of
the jambs and trim members associated therewith. Alternatively
this feature can be eliminated and the sill and threshold merely
positioned between the jambs and associated trim members.
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The groove 38, as shown in Fig. 2, is provided with
a plurality of undercut sections 44 in an inner wall 46 thereof
and at each section 44 the bottom of the groove is provided
withi a plurality of pyramid shaped projections 47. The undercut
S portions 44 define shoulders 48, as seen in Fig. 7, terminating
in slots 50. A series of drainage channels 52 are formed in
the tread portion 40 and extend outwardly from the outer wall
58 of the groove 38 to the outer edge 56 of the tread portion
of the base member 30.
, The metal cl~dding 34, which is preferably formed
of aluminum or the like, includes a portion 59 extending from
beneath the tread portion 40, around the outer edge 56 thereof,
' ' over the upper su~face of the tread portion and thence downwardly
into the groove 38, terminating in a U-shaped section 60 having
15 ' a web portion 62 and an upwardly projecting leg 64.'
It will be noted,particularly from Fig. 6 of the
drawings, that the cladding is spaced from the outer edge of the,
tread p'ortion and forms a collection chamber 66 extending the
length of the sill and communicating with the drainage channels
~' 20 52 at their outer ends. ~he ends of the chamber 66 are open
for full drainage at 67 (Fig. 5)~ The U-shaped portion 60 may
also include a short flange 68 which underlies a shoulder '70
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formed along the outer wall of the g~oove 38 to lock the
', cladding in position along this portion thereof.
The movable threshold 32 includes a cap portion 72,
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'''` a downwardly extending leg 74 adapted to lie adjacent the inner
, wall 46 of the groove 38, and a pair of parallel legs 76 and 78
,'~' which project downwardly from the cap portion 72 adjacent the
/~l outer wall 58 of the,groove 38 and straddle the upwardly
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projecting leg 64 of the U-shaped portion 60 of the metal
cladding 34. With this construction, as best seen in Fig. 6
of the drawings,, when the threshold 32 is in place, the legs 78,
64 and 76 cooperate to form a labrynth seal against the entry
S of mo:isture into the groove 38 adjacent the outer wall 58 thereof.
As best seen in Fig. 11 of the drawings, the legs 76
and 78 of the threshold 32 are provided with a series of pairs
of inclined ramps 80 and 82 on their opposed inner surfaces.
The pairs of opposed ramps 80 and 82 are provided on the legs
74 and 76 at a plurality of locations corresponding in spacing
and number to the relieved sections 44 formed in the inner wall
of the groove 38,,satisfactory results having been obtained
with five such paired ramps in a doorway of standard width.
', The actuators 36, as best seen in Figs. 4 and 12, each
'~ .15 include a pair of spaced legs 84 and 86 terminating in outwardly
turned flanges 88 and ~0. An extension 92 pf the flange 90
carries an upwardly pro~ect'ing tool engaging portion 94, which
may be notched along opposite edges thereof as indicated at 96.
, It will also be noted from Fig. 12 of the drawings that the
~; 20 lower surfaces of the actuators are provided with pyramid
shaped projections 97, similar to projections 47 in the groove 38.
The projections 47 and 97 thus prevent inadvertent sliding
~ movement of the actuators once they have been positioned.
,; Each of the legs 84 and 86 is provided with an inclined
,~ 25 ramp portion 98 and 100 which slopes downwardly from adjacent one
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,, end of the actuator beneath outwardly projecting ears 102 and
104, and each of the ears has a lower surface extending sub-
,, stantially paxallel to the upper surfaces of the inclined
,`~ ramps 9,8 and 100. The ramps 98 and 100 and the lower surfaces
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of the ears 102 and 104 are complementary to the upper and
lower surfaces 106 and 108 of the inclined ramps 80 and 82
of the threshold 32, as best seen in Fig. 7 of the drawings.
With this construction, it will be apparent that the
actuators can be assembled with the threshold 32 by inserting
the lower ends of the ramps 80 and 82 between the ramps 98 and
100 and the overlying under surfaces of the ears 102 and 104.
With each of the actuators positioned adjacent the lowermost
ends of their respective pairs of ramps 80 and 82, the sub-
assembly of the threshold 32 and actuators 36 can be lifted intoposition over the threshold groove 38 with the tool engaging
portions 94 of the actuators 36 aligned with the notches 50
along the inner wall 58 of the groove 38.
This will be apparent from Figs. 7 ana 8, wherein a
portion of the threshold 32 and an attached actuator 36 is shown
with khe portion 94 of the actuator aligned with a notch 50.
Thereafter, the sub~assembly of actuators and threshold is
moved downwardly in the direction indicated by the arrows in
Fig. 7 of the drawings until the lower surfaces of the flanges
88 and 90 rest on the bottom of the groove 38.
The inner wall of the groove 38 in the region of the
rec~ses 44 and the notches 50 slopes inwardly toward the bottom
of the groove as indicated at 106 in Figs. 9 and 10 of the
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drawings. Therefore, as the actuators move towards the bottom
25 of the groove 38, the feet 88 slip beneath the web 62 of the
U-shaped portion 60 as best seen in Fig. 6 of the drawings. At
this time, the assembly is in the configuration shown in Figs. 9
and 13 of the drawings.
~ Any suitable tool, such as the blade 108 of a screw
; 30 driver, may then be inserted beneath the cap portion 72 of the
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threshold from a position laterally of the assembly, engaging
the right hand notch 96 as seen in Fig . 13 of the drawings to
move the actuators to the left as indicated by the arrow in
Fig. 13. As each of the actuators is moved in this manner, the
S complementary inclined ramps on the actuators and threshold :
cause the threshold to move downwardly as indicated by the
vertical arrow in Fig. 14 of the drawings. .~ . .
~his not only decreases the height of the threshold 32
~- but causes the shoulder 110 on the tool engaging portion 94 .
to sllde beneath the shoulder 48 formed by the undercut section
in the wall 46 of the groove 38. Each of the actuators is, ~ .
therefore, restrained against movement in a ~ertical direction
; by the engagement of the foot 88 thereof with the under surface
s of the web 62 and the shoulder 110 with the under surface of
~ 15 the shoulder 48.
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The threshold 32 is, of course, prevented from
separating from the actuators 36 by the outwardly projecting
ears 102 and 104 on the actuators which engage the upper surfaces
106 of the inclined ramps ~0 and 82. As a result, the threshold
. 20 cannot separate inadvertently from the sill during or after
: adjustment of the assembly.
As indicated in Fig. 15 of the drawings, the usual
door construction will include weather stripping of some type
on the lower edge of the door which, when the threshold is ,
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: 25 adjusted properly, will form therewith a weather tight seal.
.: To obtain the proper adjustment of the threshold 32 with
respect to the lower edge of the door 16, the door may be closed
'~ and a suitable tool in~erted beneath the rear lip li2 of the
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weather strip to engage the portion 94 of each actuator and
slide it along the groove 38 until the proper vertical position
of th.ç threshold with respect to the lower ed~e of the door is
estaklished.
The combination of the legs 76 and 74 and the upstanding
leg 64 forms a seal against the entry of moisture from the outer
side of the sill into the groove 38. Should moisture enter.
the groove 38 from adjacent the inner side of the sill, or
from condensation, it may drain therefrom through the drainage
channels 52 into the collection chamber 66 from whence it may
drain freely out of the assembly from both open ends 67 of
chamber 66.
From the above it will be apparent that the present
invention provides an adjustable sill and threshold assembly
: 15 of rugged construction.which can be quickly and easily adjusted
to provide the-dcsired fit of the upper surface of the threshold
with the lower edge of a door associated with the assembly.
While the form of apparatus herein described
constitutes a preferred embodiment of the invention, it is to
be understood that the invention is not limited to this precise
. form of apparatus, and that changes may be made therein without
dep~rting from the scope o~ the invention.
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