The invention pertains to doors. More particularly, the invention pertains to doors having at least one slidable glass pane or panel with an extendable screen attached thereto.
Doors which incorporate panes of glass and screens are known. Some forms of such doors include screens which are fixedly mounted to the frame of the door with sliding glass inserts. With these doors, the inserts usually can be locked into a plurality of vertical positions with spring loaded latches to expose varying degrees of screen. When the inserts are moved to their fully closed position, such as during storms or in cold weather, a person looking at the door, must look through at least one pane of glass and the screen.
In other forms of doors, glass inserts or screen inserts are installed on the door's frame depending on the season. In warmer weather the glass insert is removed and a screen insert is used in the frame. In cooler weather, the screen is removed and a glass insert is attached to the frame. With such doors, an individual looking at the door looks through either a pane of glass or a screen but typically not both.
One known door configuration provides a fixed screen with a counterbalanced insert. In this configuration, the insert is not latched at a selected position on its track. The counterbalance makes it possible to position the insert at any desired position of the track. However, when the insert is in its closed position, a person viewing the door must look through both the glass insert and the screen.
Patio door configurations are known which include sliding glass doors which can be opened or closed to provide access to a patio or a porch. Spring biased screen modules are known which can be attached to the patio door frame. These modules include horizontally retractable screens that can be extended across a patio door opening to exclude insects or other flying pests.
While the known doors are generally suitable for their intended purpose, they all suffer from one or more deficiencies in performance, convenience and ease of use. There continues to be a need for multi-season doors which provide convenient and easy to use screened openings during warmer drier weather, while at the same time making it possible to easily close the screened area with a glass pane, that has a view unobstructed by a screen, during cooler or wetter weather. Preferably, such doors could be manufactured, at least in part, using techniques for manufacturing existing doors so as to benefit from the economies of scale that such manufacturing capabilities provide. Additionally, it would be preferable if such doors were easy to maintain and designed to be forgiving in the event that the screen is in need of replacement.
Numerous other advantages and features of the present invention will become readily apparent from the following detailed description of the invention and the embodiments thereof, from the claims and from the accompanying drawings.
The present invention is a door that includes first and second spaced apart jambs with each of the spaced apart jambs having at least one track extending axially along a portion thereof. The at least one track of the respective jambs are defined by spaced apart side walls. The door also includes a header and a sill disposed generally transverse to the first and second spaced apart jambs. An adjustable insert is slidably disposed in the at least one track to selectively block an opening in the door defined by the header, sill and spaced apart jambs. A screen disposed about a spring biased roll coupled to the header is provided for permitting airflow through the opening of the door while excluding insects. A free end of the screen is removably securable to the adjustable insert. The screen is deployable under tension from the spring biased roll during displacement of the adjustable insert within the at least one track. Additionally, at least one catch mechanism may be disposed on an end of the adjustable insert for releasably catching a portion of the door when the adjustable insert is disposed generally adjacent to the header.
While this invention is susceptible of embodiment in many different forms, there are shown in the drawings and will be described herein in detail specific example embodiments thereof with the understanding that the present disclosure is to be considered as an exemplification of the principles of the invention and is not intended to limit the invention to the specific embodiments illustrated.
In one embodiment of the invention, a door incorporates a replaceable screen module that includes an integral, spring biased, retractable screen that is coupled to a movable glass insert or window sash in the door. As the window sash or insert is moved away from the screen module, the screen is withdrawn from its retracted position and extends along a frame of the door screening the otherwise open region from which the window sash has moved. As the window sash or insert moves toward the screen module, the screen is retracted into the screen module reducing the ventilation region available in the door.
The pane or insert 14c is mounted in tracks, discussed in more detail subsequently, for vertical motion generally in directions 16a and 16b relative to insert 14b. When the insert 14c is positioned at its uppermost location adjacent to header 12a, the door 10 is fully closed with two glass panes as one would use it in cool or wet weather. The pane or insert 14c can be moved, vertically, in direction 16b, away from header 12a thereby opening the upper portion of door 10 for ventilation.
A screen module 20, best seen in
Door 10 can thus, as described above, be converted from a storm door with two glass panes to a door simply by moving pane or insert 14c vertically downwardly. Where insert 14c is moved vertically downwardly toward kick plate 14a, the extracted screen material 22-1 fills the entire area previously closed or occupied by pane 14c. When the insert 14c is raised, in direction 16a, the screen material 22-1 retracts into screen module 20 for storage. As discussed below, screen module 20 is removable for maintenance or replacement.
It will be understood that alternate configurations to the door 10 come within the spirit and scope of the present invention. For example, the screen module 20 can be mounted at or near the base 12d to provide an openable lower screened region. Alternately, instead of screening material, sheet plastic or other materials could be used in the module 20.
Members 12a-12d of the frame for the door 10 can be formed of metal, such as extruded aluminum, extruded or molded plastic, or partly or completely of a wood product. Inserts 14b,c need not include glass but could in fact be closed with translucent or transparent plastic material without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention.
The spring assembly 26 exerts a substantially constant retracting force on the spring fabric on the roll 28 as the insert 14c is moved vertically in directions 16a,b. The screen material 22-1 is thus constantly under tension and disposed generally against an inner surface of the tracks. This tension can sever to control or restrict movement of the insert 14c, much like a counterbalance or latch-based system.
The insert 14c in door 10 may be counterbalanced by counterbalancing mechanisms 36a and 36b. The counterbalancing mechanisms 36a,b move with the insert 14c in the jambs 12b, 12c and are invisible to the user. Types of counterbalances include block and tackle balance, spiral balance and coil spring balance.
The counterbalances 36a and 36b make it possible to smoothly move the insert 14c in the direction 16a or 16b. The insert 14c can be positioned anywhere along its range of travel and will remain there until moved due to the forces exerted by the counterbalance mechanisms 36a and 36b.
In the door 10-2, the insert 14c′ can be moved vertically to a locking position, the movement will retract the screen material 22-1 off of the roll 28 and fill the area of the door frame from which the insert 14c′ has been moved. The mechanical latches 38a and 38b will lock the insert 14c′ at the desired degree of openness in the frame of the door 10-2 desired.
In yet another embodiment, insert 14c can frictionally engage the tracks in jambs 12b,c. The frictional forces will support insert 14c at anv one of a variety of positions. In this embodiment, no counterbalances or latches are needed.
As illustrated in the embodiment of
As illustrated in
Weather stripping or sealing element 54b can be, different and unlike the weather stripping or sealing element 54a. The weather stripping or sealing element 54b can be positioned in an axially oriented slot that runs along the jambs 12b and 12c. Weather stripping or sealing element 54b may be commercially available from Reddiplex Group PLC, Worchestershire, England, under the trade name “MESHLOCK” and can be formed with a mounting section 56-1 which slidably engages the respective slot in the jamb 12b and 12c. The mounting section 56-1 carries a deflectable planar element 56-2 which extends from the mounting section 56-1 toward the weather stripping or sealing element 54a at a predetermined angle in a range of 15-75° relative to the plane of the screen. It will be understood that other commercially available forms of weather stripping or screen retention elements can be used instead of the MESHLOCK brand without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.
The weather stripping or sealing element 54a can act to press the edge of the screen material 22-1 toward the weather stripping or sealing element 54b, as illustrated in
It will be understood that while the MESHLOCK or other weather stripping 54b has been illustrated in
Though the screen cloth or material 22-1 may be forced out of the respective tracks 54-1, -2 in each of jambs 12b, c by a laterally directed force, the screen attachment member 22 will continue to remain in each of the tracks. This is facilitated by the shape and positioning of the screen attachment member 22 which includes an end region 23 which extends into the track and which may extend into the respective slot 54-1, -2.
In this instance, assuming that the screen cloth 22-1 has been forced from the respective track 54-1, the upper insert 14c can be moved to its fully closed position adjacent to header 12a to retract the screen onto the screen roll 28. In this circumstance, the attachment feature 22 is properly aligned to re-enter the tracks 54-1. As the insert 14c is moved away from the header 12a, it will pull the attachment member 22 with it. The ends 23 of the attachment member 22 will enter the respective slots 54-1 pulling the screen material 22-1 with them and retracking the screen. Alternately, the attachment member 22 can exhibit a retracted condition, adjacent to the screen module 20 while continuing to remain in the tracks 54-1.
Thus, as described above, if a force is exerted against the screen material 22-1 to pull it out of the side tracks 54-1 in each jamb, it is only necessary to reclose the insert 14c to rewind the screen material 22-1 into a proper configuration so that it will be immediately re-extendable into the slots or tracks 54-1.
The door 60 carries a screen module 66, best illustrated in
A lower panel 64b of the door 60 is hollow and contains a space into which the insert 64a can be stored as it is moved downwardly toward the sill 62d. In this configuration, where the insert 64a is partly open, a portion of the screen 66a extends from the screen module 66 and fills the open space between jambs 62b,c and header 62a. The remainder of the space between the jambs 62b,c is filled by a portion of the insert 64a and the panel 64b. Thus, the door 60 provides convenient out of sight storage for the insert 64a.
It will be understood that other arrangements can be used to attach a free end of the screen member 22-1 to a moving insert or pane. Alternates may include a spline which would trap the free end of the screen fabric 22-1 in contact with the movable inserts such as 14c, hooks, rails, clamps, adhesives etc. Other connectivity options and structures come within the spirit and scope of the invention.
The screen fabric 82-1 can be pulled from the module 82 to close an opening in the door created by moving insert 86 downwardly away from the module 82. A free end 82-2 of the screen material 82-1 is attached to the sash or insert 86. Attachment can be effected by any of the previously discussed methods including using a spline, adhesive, or providing attachment clips or rails which slidably engage or couple to a portion of the insert 86. A myriad of other attachment vehicles can be used to connect the free end 82-2 to an upper end of the insert or sash 86 without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention.
As the sash or insert 86 is moved toward the screen module 82, the fabric 82-1 rollably retracts into the module 82 as a result of the internal spring mechanism, discussed above, in connection with door 10. The screen material 82-1, also as discussed above, is under a constant pulling force due to the spring biasing mechanism of the module 82 which continually attempts to retract the fabric 82-1 into the module 82. Thus, as the sash or insert 86 moves toward the module 82, the screen material 82-1 is immediately rolled into the module 82 for out of the way storage.
It will also be understood that a resin or plastic sheet could be used as an alternate to screen fabric 82-1 without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. Thus, the screen module 82 provides a mechanism for adding to any existing door, after installation, a retractable screen feature such that existing screen panels or inserts in the door can be removed. This improves convenience and visibility in that with the sash or insert 86 closed, the screen fabric 82-1 is completely retracted and an individual looking at the door looks directly through the glass inserts or sashes without having to look through a screen.
In another embodiment, as illustrated in
The door 100 may also include a kick plate 106 and a fixed lower pane or glass insert 108. In the door 100, the pane or insert 108 is fixedly mountable between the jambs 102b,c and above the kick plate 106.
In this embodiment, the pane or insert 104 and screen 120 are mounted in at least one track, discussed in more detail subsequently, for vertical motion generally in directions 112a and 112b relative to insert 108. When the insert 104 is positioned at its uppermost location generally adjacent to the header 102a, the door 100 is fully closed with two glass panes as one would use in cool or wet weather. The pane or insert 104 can be moved. vertically, in direction 112b, away from the header 102a thereby opening the upper portion of door 100 for ventilation,
Referring to
As illustrated in
In one embodiment, as illustrated in
The screen material 120 may be disposed between or sandwiched between weather stripping or sealing elements 122a and 122b formed on, integrated with or coupled to the spaced apart side walls 116a and 116b. The sealing elements 122a and 122b act to retain the screen material 120 in the at least one track 114 and to prevents insects from passing between edges of the screen material 120 and the at least one track 114. Weather stripping or sealing element 122a and 122b may extend axially along the respective jamb 102b and 102c on each side of the door 100. The weather stripping or sealing element 122a and 122b can be any form of weather stripping or sealing/barrier structure as would be known to those of skill in the art.
Referring back to
As the insert 104 is drawn away from the header 102a. the screen material 120 is deployed from the offset spring biased roll 124 proximate a door frame first surface 125. The edges of the screen material 120 are forced into abutment against the at least one track 114 and/or the sealing element 122a or 122b. The screen material 120 is urged along the at least one track 114 which is oriented generally parallel to and within the door width generally inward from an outer surface of the doorframe or jamb. This abuttably realigns side portions of the screen material 120 tautly against the at least one face surface of the at least one track 114.
In another embodiment, the screen material 120 may be kept taut by a longitudinal edge portion 128 that extends along the header 102a (as illustrated in
Referring to
As particularly illustrated in
In another embodiment of the invention, the rest portion 132 of the stop 130 may be disposed in a corresponding channel (not shown) extending into the insert 108 such that the stop 130 is generally invisible to a user. The stop 130 may comprise any material such as rubber, metal, wood, plastic or the like. Other materials are also envisioned to be within the scope and spirit of the invention.
As illustrated in
Referring to
Referring back to
The catch mechanism 150 may include a boss portion 152 pivotally disposed in a seat 153 provided with the adjustable insert 104 and an arcuate handle portion 154 extending away from the boss portion 152 for grasping by a hand of a user. The catch mechanism 150 may further include a hook portion 156 for engaging the header 102a, a portion of the screen module 110, or if a cover 126 is used, the cover 126 of the door 100. In this embodiment, the header 102a or cover 126 may be disposed over the screen module 110 and may include a lip or other receiving mechanism/portion 159 for receiving the hook portion 156. In another embodiment of the invention, as particularly illustrated in the cross-sectional view of
In one embodiment, a biasing member 158 may be disposed between the handle portion 154 and the insert 104 for biasing the handle portion 154 away from (i.e., upward from) the insert 104 and toward the cover 126 to ensure coupling of the catch mechanism 150 to the receiving portion 159. The biasing member 158 may be a leaf spring. However, other types of biasing members may also be used. To detach or uncouple the catch mechanism 150 from the header 102a or cover 126, a user depresses or actuates the handle portion 154 toward the insert 104 until the hook portion 156 disengages the receiving portion 159. After disengagement the biasing member 158 biases the handle portion 154 back toward the header 102a or receiving portion 159.
In another embodiment, the handle portion 154 may be resiliently flexible with respect to the boss portion 152 such that depression of the handle portion 154 toward the insert 104 generally draws the hook portion 156 away from its resting state and away from the receiving portion 159 which can be the lip 159 of the cover 126. In this particular embodiment, after being moved from its resting state, for disengagement of the insert 104 from the receiving portion 159, the handle portion 154 will resiliently return to its resting state for engagement to the receiving portion 159 of the header 102a or cover 126. Other embodiments and configurations for the catch mechanism 150 are envisioned to be within the spirit and scope of the invention.
From the foregoing, it will be observed that numerous variations and modifications may be effected without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. It is to be understood that no limitation with respect to the specific apparatus illustrated herein is intended or should be inferred. It is of course, intended to cover by the appended claims all such modifications as fall within the scope of the claims.
The present application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/834,323, filed Aug. 6, 2007, which is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/901,915, filed Jul. 29, 2004, which is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/606,039, filed Jun. 25, 2003, which is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/212,465, filed Aug. 5, 2002, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,618,998, issued Sep. 16, 2003, which in turn claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/310,557, filed Aug. 7, 2001, each of which is hereby fully incorporated herein by reference.
Number | Date | Country | |
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60310557 | Aug 2001 | US |
Number | Date | Country | |
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Parent | 11834323 | Aug 2007 | US |
Child | 12352494 | US | |
Parent | 10901915 | Jul 2004 | US |
Child | 11834323 | US |
Number | Date | Country | |
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Parent | 10606039 | Jun 2003 | US |
Child | 10901915 | US | |
Parent | 10212465 | Aug 2002 | US |
Child | 10606039 | US |