Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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INWARDLY S~INGING HINGED DOOR ASSEMBLY
Backqround of the Invention
This invention relates generally to an inwardly swinging
door and more specifically to an inwardly swinging door that
is constructed using a multi-point lock, weatherstripping in
one plane and a pressure equalization mem~er to provide for
an improved weatherproof door.
Description of the Prior Art
Most doors utilize a single point lock. When a single
point lock is utilized, the door is cooperatively connected
to the frame of the door only by means o~ the hinges and the
single point lock. The hinges are typically multi-point and
connect the door to the frame at the top, middle and bottom
of the door. The multi-point connection helps in the
preventing of bowing and hence leakage along the section that
is open. However, because the swinging edge of the door is
connected only by one point at the lock, bowing of the top
and bottom of the door itself is more prevalent. Recently!
multi-point locks have been utilized for doors. However,
these locks have most often been incorporated into doors for
increased security. For example, U.S. Patent No. 4,548,342
discloses such a lock.
Still further, the prior art doors have been of a "sweep
type" design. That is, the weatherstripping on the bottom of
the door extended downward and generally came in contact with
the threshold. Still further, no pressure equalization
chambers were utilized to aid in the prevention of water
seeping through the door. Such pressure equalization
chambers are in existence for windows. However, the windows
are generally outwardly swinging and also the designer of
windows is not concerned with stepping up and over threshold
as is the designer of doors.
The National Wood Window and Door Association is
developing a standard for wood swinging patio doors. As part
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of the standard with respect to air infiltration, the
Association requires that the unit shall be tested for air
leakage in accordance with the latest revision of ASTM E-283
"Standard test method for air leakage through exterior
windows, curtain, walls and doors." Air infiltration shall
not exceed 0.34 cubic feet per minute, per square foot
overall area when tested at a uniEorm static air pressure
difference of 1.56 pounds per square feet. The water
penetration resistance in test standard is that the unit
shall be tested for water penetration resistance in
accordance with ASTM E-547 "Standard test method for
penetration of exterior windows, curtain walls and doors by
cyclic air pressure differential." The unit shall be tested
under a static pressure difference of 2.86 PSF. A minimum of
three cycles of no less than 5 minutes each shall be used
during the test. At the conclusion of the test, no water
shall have passed beyond the interior face of the door unit
and overflowed into the room or flowed into the wall area.
The present invention is able to well surpass these standards
and in fact air infiltration does not exceed 0.20 cubic feet
per minute and the water penetration can be tested under a
static air pressure difference of up to 6.24 PSF.
Further, with respect to structural claim testing, the
present invention will take a 60 PSF positive/negative load
using ASTM E-330 with no breakage or unit failure after loads
are removed. Residual deflection is less than 0.4% of its
span.
The present invention addresses the problems associated
with prior art and provides for an improved door having
increased air infiltration, water penetration and structural
characteristics.
Summary of the Invention
The present invention provides for an inwardly swinging
door assembly for mountiny into a building frame. The door
assembly includes a door member having a top edge surface,
bottom edge surface and first and second side edge surfaces.
The assembly is provi~ed with means for hingedly mounting the
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door member to the frame. The mounting means is proximate one
of the first and second sides. A multi-point lock is mounted
proximate the other of the first and second sides, whereby the
frame is engaged by the lock at more than one point. Single
point weatherstrips are cooperatively connected to the top edge
surface, bottom e~ge surface and first and second side edge
surfaces. rrhe weatherstrips preferably have ~ngaging surfaces
in one plane and comprise single strips of weatherstrip forming
a continuous weatherstrip. A pressure equalization member is
cooperatively connected to the frame for engaging the
weatherstrip connected to the bottom eclge surface. Air
infiltration of the door assembly, as measured by ASTM E-283,
does not exceed 0.34 ft3/min/ft2 of the door assembly, and the
door assembly will not allow water penetration, as measured by
ASTM E-547, at 2.86 lbs/ft2.
In a preferred embodiment, the weatherstrips are all
in a single plane and the weatherstrip is cooperatively connected
at intersections of the surfaces, whereby a continuous
weatherstrip is formed around the door member.
Brief Description of the_Drawin~s
Fig. 1 is a front plan view of the door assembly
embodying the present inventionu
Fig. 2a is a cross sectional area of the door assembly
of Fig. 1, taken generally along the line Fig. 2a-2a.
Fig. 2b is a cross sectional view of the assembly of
Fig. 1, taken generally along the lines 2b-2b.
Fig. 2c is a cross sectional view of the assembly of
Fig. 1, taken generally along the lines 2c-2c
Fig. 3a is a cross sectional area of the door assembly
of Pig. 1, taken generally along the line Fig. 3a-3a.
Fig. 3b is a cross sectional view of the assembly of
Fig. 1, taken generally along the lines 3b-3b.
Fig. 3c is a cross sectional view of the assembly of
Fig. 1, taken generally along the lines 3c-3c.
Fig. 4 is an enlarged partial front plan view of a
corner of the door member showing the joining of the
weatherstrips.
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Datailed Description of the Invention
Referring to the ~igures, wherein like numerals
represent like parts throughout the several views, there is
generally illustraked at 10 an inwar~ly swinginy door assembly.
The door assembly 10 is mounted in a frame 11. As
shown
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in Fig. 1, the frame 11 is sized to receive not only the
inwardly swinging door assembly 10 but also a stationary
panel member, generally designated as 12. However, it is
understood that the door assembly 10 may be mounted alone in
a smaller frame or alternately, the frame may be larger to
accommodate a plurality of stationary panel members 12.
Still further, the position of the door assembly 10 may be
varied within the frame 11. For example, where the frame 11
is sized sufficiently to accommodate two stationary panels
and a door assembly 10, the door assembly 10 may be on either
ends or in the center.
The stationary panel member 12, which is optional to the
present invention, may be of any suitable type well known in
the industry. The panel member 12 includes a double pane
window assembly 12a which consists of an inner glass panel
and an outer glass panel cooperatively connected together and
mounted to a first side rail 12b, second side rail 12c, top
rail 12d and bottom rail 12e. Moldings 13 are cooperatively
connected and in turn fastened into the side rails 12b-e by
means of nails 14. The molding cooperatively connected to
the first side rail 12b is fastened to the portion of the
frame 11, as shown in Fig. 2b. Similarly, the molding 13
cooperatively connected to the second side rail 12c is
fastened by means of the nail 14 into the center support
member 15. Similarly, molding adjacent the top and bottom
rails 12d and 12e are fastened into the frame 11 by means of
nails. The sill member 16, who cross section is best seen in
Fig~ 3c, extends between the two generally vertical members
of the frame 11. The sill member 16 comprises a wooden
portion 16a cooperatively connected to a metal portion 16b to
form the sill 16. A threshold 16c is cooperatively connected
to the top of the sill 16. The center support member 15
extends between the sill member 16 and the top horizontal
member of the frame 11.
A first side jamb assembl~ 17 is cooperatively connected
adjacent the first side rail 12b and extends between the
frame 11 and 5ill 16. The first side jamb assembly 17
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includes a first member 17a cooperatively connected to a
second member 17b which forms -the outer surface of the door
opening. The second member 17b has a C-shaped section 17c
which is adapted to receive an optional sliding screen door.
Suitable weather stripping 18 is utilized between the first
siderail 12b and the second member 17b of the first jamb
assembly 17.
A first astragal assembly 19 is cooperatively connected
- to the center support member 15 and extends between the
horizontal upper member of the frame 11 and the sill 16. The
astragal assembly 19 includes a first member l9a which is
cooperatively connected to the center support member 15 and
has a generally planar bottom member which extends beyond the
edges of the center support member 15. The ends of the
planar bottom l9b are angled slightly upward. The first
member also has two upwardly extending members l9c which have
a top portion which extends generally outward. The second
member l9d of the astragal assembly 19 has a configuration,
shown in cross section in Fig. 2a, which is symmetrical on
both sides of the center support member 15. The second
member l9d engages the outwardly extending portion of the
upwardly extending member l9c and also the stationary panel
12. Suitable weatherstripping 20 may be utilized to
weatherproof the stationary panel 12. While the above-
described construction of the stationary panel 12 ispreferred, it is understood that any suitably constructed
stationary panel 12 may be utilized.
The inwardly swinging door assembly 10 includes a door
member lOa comprising a double pane assembly 21 mounted in a
door panel 22. The door panel 22 has a first side rail 22a,
second side rail 22b, top rail 22c, and bottom rail 22d, all
cooperatively connected by means well known in the art to
form the door panel. Suitable molding strips 23 may be
utilized, where appropriate, around the double pane assembly
21. The construction of a door member 20, as described so
far, is well known in the art.
The first side rail 22a has an edge surface 24. The
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second rail 22b has an edge surface 25. The top rail 22c has
a top edge surface 26 and the bottom rail 22d has a bottom
edge surface 27. As can be seen from the drawings, none of
the edge surfaces 29 through 27 are planar. However, the
desiynations for the edge sur~aces generally designate the
edges of the door member 20. However, as will be d;scussed
more fully hereafter, the edge surEaces have cutouts to
accommodate weatherstripping.
Three hinges 28 are cooperatively connected to the
center support member 15 and the door member 20, proximate
the edge surface 24 by means well known in the art. The door
assembly 10 is hingedly mounted for swinging inward into a
building. The door assembly 10 also includes a ~ulti-point
closing and locking latch assembly generally designated as
29. The locking assembly 29, as shown, includes three
separate locking sub assemblies 30, 31 and 32. The locking
sub assemblies are interconnected by means of an espagnolette
bar 33. Rotation of the handle 34 will cause the locking
assembly 29 to move between a latched and unlatched position.
Rotation of the hand~e 34 causes all three sub assemblies to
move between the latched and unlatched position. Further, by
inserting a key and rotating the key into a lock 35, the
locking assembly 29 may be locked by moving the bolt 29a into
a strike plate 49. Locking assemblies 29 are well-known in
the art, but to date have essentially been used for improved
security. The multi-point locking assembly 29, with the
three locking sub assemblies 30 through 32 provide for
increased protection against a forced entry. However, such a
locking assembly 29 also has significant advantages with
respect to the weather integrity of the door. By latching
the door at 30 and 32 as well as at 31, the door is secured
along three points. This will prevent bowing of the door at
the top and bottom as well as maintain the integrity of the
weatherseal proximate the locking sub assemblies 30 through
32. Such a latch assembly is described in U.S. Patent No.
. ... . . .
4,548,432. ~ther, such a locking asse~bly 29 is available for purchase from
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Fixfabriken in Gotenberg, Sweden. The oval lines shown in
phantom 60, 61 and 62 in Figs. 3a, 3b and 3c, respectively,
show the locations of where the locking sub assemblies 30, 31
and 32 are positioned.
The weatherstripping, generally designated as 36, as
will be described more fully hereafter, is cooperatively
connected to the edge surfaces 24 through 27 on the door
member 20. The weatherstripping 36 comprises four sections
36a through d and are carried entirely by the door member 20
and further are in one plane. Still further, the sections
are cooperatively connected at the intersections to form one
continuous weatherstrip around the door. The
weatherstripping 36 can be seen in detail in Figs. 2a, 2c, 3a
and 3c. As seen in Fig. 2a, the first edge surface 24 has a
notched area in which the weatherstrip 36a is fastened.
Weatherstrip section 36a, as with the other sections, is a
bulb type weatherstrip and has a first end 36e secured in a
cavity 37 in door panel 22a. The section 36a has a
protruding bulb section 36f, which is shown in a compressed
configuration in Fig. 2a. The bulb section then continues
and is again cooperatively connected into the cavity 37. The
astragal assembly l9 has a weatherstrip engaging surface l9e
that comes in contact with the bulb portion 36f of the
section 36a.
As seen in Fig. 2c, the second edge surface 25 has a
notched area in which the weatherstrip 36b is fastened.
Weatherstrip section 36b is a bulb-type weatherstrip and has
a first end 36g secured in a cavity 38 in door panel 22b.
The section 36b has a protruding bulb section 36h, which is
shown in a compressed configuration in Fig. 2c. The bulb
section then continues and is again cooperatively connected
into the cavity 38. A second side jamb assembly 48 is
similar to the first side jamb assembly 17. The second side
jamb assembly 48 is cooperatively connected to the frame ll
and is proximate the side rail 22b and extends between the
frame 11 and sill 16. The second side jamb assembly 48
includes a first member 48a cooperatively connected to a
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second member 48b which forms the outer surface of the door
opening. The second member 48b has a C-shaped section 48c
which is adapted to receive an optional. sliding screen door.
The second side jamb assembly 48 also includes a flange 48d
S which in turn has a generally perpendicular cross section
piece 48e. The cross section piece 48e forms a weatherstrip
engaging surface which contacts the bulb portion 36h of the
weatherstrip section 36b.
As seen in Fig. 3a, the edge surface 26 has a notched
area in which the weatherstrip 36c is fastened. Weatherstrip
section 36c is a bulb-type weatherstrip and has a first end
36i secured in a cavity 39 in the door panel 22c. The
section 36c has a protruding bulb section 36j, which is shown
in a compressed configuration in Fig. 3a. The bulb section
then continues and is again cooperatively connected into the
cavity 39. A top jamb assembly 50 as shown is Fig. 3a is
cooperatively connected to the frame 11 and is proximate the
top rail 22c and extends between the generally vertical
upright members of the frame 11. The top jamb assembly 50
includes a first member 51 cooperatively connected to a
second member 52. The second member 52 is adjacent and
cooperatively connected to the frame 11, as previously
discussed. The second member 52 includes a downwardly
depending member 52a which forms a weatherstrip engaging
surface which contacts the bulb portion 36j of weatherstrip
section 36i. An optional assembly 53 may be attached to the
top jamb assembly 50 when an optional screen is utilized.
As seen in Fig. 3c, the edge surface 27 has a notched
area in which the weatherstrip 36d is fastened. Weatherstrip
section 36d is a bulb-type weatherstrip and has a first end
36k secured in a cavity 40 in the door panel 22d. The
section 36d has a protruding bulb section 361, which is shown
in a compressed configuration in Fig. 3c. The bulb section
then continues and is again cooperatively connected into the
cavity 40.
The metal sill portion 16b has a downwardly sloping top
surface 16d and two generally upright support members 16e and
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16f. Further, the sill portion 16b extends past the support
member 16e and has a further top surface 16g on which a guide
41 for a screen door may optionally be secured. At one end
of the top surface 16d, an upwardly extending mounting member
16h is formed. A pressure equalization member, generally
designated as 42, is cooperatively connected to the mounting
member 16h of the middle sill 16b. The pressure equalization
chamber extends the entire width between the frame 11 and the
center support member 15. The pressure equalization member
42 has a first vertical member 43. The bottom end of the
first vertical member 43 rests on the sill 16b. The height
of the member 43 is greater than the pressure head that has
to be withstood, approximately 1-1/2 inches. A second
generally vertical member 44 has a bottom portion which
engages the mounting member 16h. A horizontal section 45 is
cooperatively connected between the first and second vertical
sections 43 and 44. The second vertical member 44 has a
weatherstrip engaging surface 44a that comes in contact with
the weatherstrip 36d and forms the weatherseal. The top
portion of the pressure equalization member 42 forms a
generally U-shaped trough. This ~-shaped trough has a
plurality of drain holes 46 spaced along its length. The
pressure equalization member 42 also an inverted U-shaped
area which has a plurality of drain holes 47 spaced along its
length. A water shed member 55 has a first member 55a which
extends across the width of the door member lOa and is
cooperatively connected to the bottom rail 22d and an
outwardly and downwardly extending section 55b which acts as
a water shed for any water which cascades down the outer
surface of the door lOa, to prevent access of the cascading
water into the pressure equalization member 42.
All four of the weatherstrip engaging surfaces l9e, 44a,
52a and 48e oE the door assembly 10 are in the same plane.
Fig. 4 is a front plan view of one corner section of the
door lOa. The four weatherstrip segments are cooperatively
connected at the intersections to form a continuous
weatherstrip around the door member. Qnly one corner of the
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door 10a is shown in detail, but the other four sections are
similarly constructed. Fig. 4 shows that the bulb sections
36j and 3~h are cooperatively connected al.ong a seam 70 to
form one continuous weatherstrip.
~pplicants have found that by utilizing the multi point
lock ~n connection with weatherstripping cooperatively
connected on all four sides to the door and a pressure
equalization chamber that the door assembly is able to meet
the qualifications as set forth in the description of the
prior art in this application. The weatherstrip of the
present invention is kept up off the ground and accordingly
stays dryer than the weatherstrip of the prior art. The
prior art often puts weatherstrip on the outside and the
weatherstrip then becomes wet and air infiltration and water
are then more easily able to pass through the weatherstrip
barrier.
Other modifications of the invention will be apparent to
those skilled in the art in light of the foregoing
description. This description is intended to provide
specific examples of individual embodiments or the use of
elements having spe~ific configurations and shapes as
presented herein. All alternative modifications and
variations of the present invention which follow in the
spirit and broad scope of the appended claims are included.
