1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an entryway system including a threshold assembly for disposition below a closure, such as a door.
2. Description of the Related Art
Entryway systems seal an interior of a structure, such as a commercial or residential building, from wind, rain/snow, incidental water, debris, etc. present in an exterior of the structure, i.e., outside. Entryway systems include a pair of vertical jambs, a threshold assembly extending between the jambs, and a closure, e.g., a door hingedly mounted to one of the jambs or a door slideably coupled to the threshold assembly. The threshold assembly is disposed below the door when the door is in a closed position.
In storms including wind and rain, the rain hits the door and runs down the door toward the threshold assembly. In storms with high wind and heavy rains, a large amount of water runs down the door. Also, high wind can force the water between the door and the jambs where the water drains downwardly. In such instances, the water accumulates at the threshold assembly and may undesirably seep between the door and the threshold and into the interior of the structure.
Such water seepage has many detrimental effects. For example, water can cause damage to wooden components of the entryway system and the building by causing the wood to warp and/or rot. Also, water can corrode or rust metal components of the entryway system and the building. In addition, the water can foster mold growth on components of the entryway system and the building.
It would be desirable to manufacture a threshold assembly that effectively manages water to prevent the detrimental effects of water seepage described above.
The invention includes a threshold assembly for disposition below a closure. The threshold assembly comprises a sill having a first end and a second end spaced from each other and having an entry portion sloping downwardly from a proximate end to a distal end between the first and second ends. A first jamb pedestal is disposed at the first end of the sill and a second jamb pedestal is disposed at the second end of the sill with each jamb pedestal extending upwardly from the sill presenting a support surface spaced above the proximate end of the sill for supporting a jamb spaced above the sill. A first wall extends upwardly from the proximate end of the entry portion between the first and second jamb pedestals. A second wall extends upwardly from the sill and along the first wall between the first and second jamb pedestals to define a channel extending longitudinally between the first and second jamb pedestals. The first wall defines an opening which establishes fluid communication from the channel to the entry portion of the sill between the first and second jamb pedestals for directing water from the channel away from the threshold assembly along the entry portion.
The threshold assembly obstructs, retains, and then guides water away from the closure, i.e., the threshold assembly manages the water. As rain water hits the closure, the rain water runs down the closure toward the threshold assembly. The first wall prevents water from flowing from the entry portion of the sill beneath the closure. Further, the entry portion is sloped downwardly from the proximate end to the distal end to direct water away from the closure. The channel between the first and second walls collects water that seeps behind the first wall, e.g., water that is forced between the jamb and the door by high winds. Because the opening in the first wall establishes fluid communication from the channel to the entry portion of the sill, any water in the channel flows from the channel to the entry portion of the sill, where the water flows downwardly from the proximate end toward the distal end of the entry portion of the sill. In addition, because the jamb pedestals space the jambs from the sill, water flowing from the proximate end toward the distal end of the entry portion of the sill does not contact the jambs to prevent water damage to the jambs.
Other advantages of the present invention will be readily appreciated, as the same becomes better understood by reference to the following detailed description when considered in connection with the accompanying drawings wherein:
Referring to the Figures, wherein like numerals indicate corresponding parts throughout the several views, an entryway system is generally shown at 10. As shown in
As best shown in
The sill 22 extends between a first end 26 and a second end 28. A first jamb pedestal 30 is disposed at the first end of the sill 22 and a second jamb pedestal 32 is disposed at the second end of the sill 22. The base 20 extends from the first jamb pedestal 30 to the second jamb pedestal 32. The base 20 and the jamb pedestals 30, 32 are typically formed of the same material and are typically formed of a plastic, polymer, or other water resistant materials. However, it should be appreciated that the base 20 and the jamb pedestals 30, 32 can be formed of other suitable rigid materials and that the base 20 can be formed of a different material than the jamb pedestals 30, 32.
As shown in
The base 20 and the jamb pedestals 30, 32 can be formed separately and subsequently united. In such a configuration, the extension portion 33 and the base 20 are joined along a water impervious joint 35. The water impervious joint 35 prevents water from leaking between the extension portion 33 and the base 20. During heavy rain and wind, for example, water runs down the jambs 14 and the jamb pedestals 30, 32. The water can seep between the jamb pedestals 30, 32 and the sill 22. Because the pedestal portion 31 and the extension portion 33 are integral, water cannot leak between the pedestal portion 31 and the extension portion 33. Further, because the extension portion 33 and the base 20 are joined along the water impervious joint 35, water cannot leak between the extension portion 33 and the base 20. In an alternative embodiment, the base 20 and the jamb pedestals 30, 32 can also be formed together as a single unit, for example, by injection molding.
When formed separately, for example, the jamb pedestals 30, 32 and the base 20 can be connected by sonic welding the extension portion 33 to the base 20 to form the water impervious joint 35. As another example, in the configuration where the jamb pedestals 30, 32 are formed by injection molding, the extension portion 33 can be overmolded onto the base 20 as the jamb pedestals 30, 32 are injection molded to form the water impervious joint 35. As yet another example, the extension portion 33 can be mechanically fastened, e.g., with screws and with sealant disposed between the extension portion 33 and the base 20 to form the water impervious joint 35. It is to be appreciated that the jamb pedestals extension portion 33 can connected to the base 20 via screws, adhesive, glazing tape, gaskets, and the like, and any combination thereof to form the water impervious joint 35.
For example, the base 20 can be formed by extrusion and the jamb pedestals 30, 32 can be formed by injection molding. Injection molding is conducive to forming the shape of the jamb pedestals 30, 32, including a drain path 80 between support walls 42, as described further below. Further, a long piece of extruded stock can be extruded in the configuration of the base 20 and the base 20 can be subsequently cut to size from the extruded stock. The water impervious joint 35 is typically located along the support walls 42 of the base 20. In such a configuration, the base 20 can be cut from the extruded stock and no alterations to the base 20 are required before the base 20 is joined to the jamb pedestals 30, 32. It is appreciated, however, that the water impervious joint 35 can be located at any distance from the pedestal portion 31, and two such locations are shown in
Each jamb pedestal 30, 32 extends upwardly from the sill 22 presenting a support surface 34 spaced above the sill 22 for supporting the jamb 14 spaced from the sill 22. Specifically, as shown in
As shown in
The sill 22 functions as the top of the threshold assembly 12 and is typically manufactured from aluminum by extrusion; however, it is appreciated that the sill 22 can be formed of any suitable rigid material and by any process without departing from the nature of the present invention. As best shown in
A first wall 50 extends upwardly from the proximate end 46 of the entry portion 44 between the first and second jamb pedestals 30, 32 and a second wall 52 extends upwardly from the sill 22 and along the first wall 50 between the first and second jamb pedestals 30, 32. The second wall 52 is spaced from the first wall 50 opposite the first wall 50 from the entry portion 44. Both the first and second walls 50, 52 extend vertically upward from the sill 22 to assist in blocking the wind, rain/snow, incidental water, debris, etc. More specifically, the first and second walls 50, 52 divert water from the top of the threshold assembly 12. It should be appreciated that the first and second walls 50, 52 can be formed as a single unit with the sill 22 or can be formed separately from the sill 22 and subsequently attached to the sill 22.
The first and second walls 50, 52 define a channel 54 extending longitudinally between the first and second jamb pedestals 30, 32 for directing water from the channel 54 away from the threshold assembly 12 along the entry portion 44. A channel 54 bottom extends between the first and second walls 50, 52. The channel 54 bottom typically slopes downwardly from the second wall 52 to the first wall 50 and is typically aligned with the proximate end 46 of the entry portion 44. In other words, the channel 54 bottom intersects the first wall 50 at the proximate end 46 of the entry portion 44. The channel 54 bottom can also extend along a common slope with the entry portion 44 of the sill 22. In another embodiment, the first and second wall 52s can intersect each other in a V-shape.
The first wall 50 defines an opening 56 which establishes fluid communication from the channel 54 to the entry portion 44 of the sill 22 between the first and second jamb pedestals 30, 32. As described further below, the opening 56 directs water from the channel 54 away from the threshold assembly 12 along the entry portion 44. It is to be appreciated that the first wall 50 can define a plurality of such openings 56. As best shown in
A platform 58 extends from the second wall 52 between the first and second jamb pedestals 30, 32 in a direction away from the entry portion 44. The platform 58 is disposed above the proximate end 46 of the entry portion 44, i.e., the platform 58 is disposed at a higher vertical elevation than the proximate end 46 of the sill 22. The platform 58 defines a groove 60 and a hole 62 along the groove 60. The hole 62 is in fluid communication with the base 20, where the water is managed as described further below.
The door 16 is rotatable about one of the jambs 14 between an opened and a closed position. The door 16 is shown in the opened position in
As shown in
The door sweep 66 includes a body 68 and fins 70 extending from the body 68 for sealing against the first wall 50 and the platform 58. In such an embodiment, the fins 70 resiliently extend downwardly such that the fins 70 may resiliently deform and slide over the first wall 50 and the platform 58 when the door 16 is moved between the open and closed positions. It is appreciated that the door sweep 66 may include any number of fins 70 without departing from the nature of the present invention. It is also appreciated that the door sweep 66 may have no fins without departing from the nature of the present invention. For example, in such an embodiment, the body of the door sweep 66 may seal against the first wall 50.
A first water defense mechanism 72 includes the door sweep 66 and the first wall 50 for preventing water from migrating past the first wall 50 across the threshold assembly 12, i.e., the door sweep 66 and the first wall 50 provide a first defense to prevent water from entering from the exterior to the interior of the building 18. The first wall 50 and the door sweep 66 prevent most or all water from entering from the exterior to the interior of the building 18. Specifically, water running down the door will be deflected by the door sweep 66 and the first wall 50 to the entry portion 44 of the sill 22, whereupon the water is directed by the entry portion 44 away from the door.
Notably, the first wall 50 extends vertically upward higher than the platform 58 to optimize water management. Specifically, when water is deflected by the door sweep 66 to the entry portion 44 of the sill 22, the deflected water momentarily puddles near the first wall 50 before it drains away from the door 16 along the entry portion 44. The first wall 50 is sufficiently high to prevent water from seeping between the first wall 50 and the door sweep 66 toward the interior of the building 18.
A second water defense mechanism 74 includes the second wall 52 and the channel 54 for preventing water from migrating past the second wall 52 across the threshold assembly 12, i.e., the second wall 52 and the channel 54 provide a secondary defense to prevent water from entering from the exterior to the interior of the building 18. Any water that may seep past the door sweep 66 and the first wall 50 is collected in the channel 54. In addition, water that seeps downwardly between the door 16 and the jambs can collect in the channel 54. Water that collects in the channel 54 is directed toward the exterior of the building 18 through the opening 56, as described above. In addition, or in the alternative, the channel 54 bottom defines at least one channel 54 weep hole (not shown) along the channel 54. The channel 54 weep hole directs water from the channel 54 to the base 20 below the sill 22 or directs the water to the exterior of the building 18 through, for example, a tube.
A third water defense mechanism 76 includes the platform 58, i.e., the groove 60 in the platform 58 provides a tertiary defense to prevent water from entering from the exterior to the interior of the building 18. Any water that reaches the platform 58 is collected in the groove 60. In addition, water that seeps downwardly between the door 16 and the jambs 14 can collect in the groove 60. The water is retained in the groove 60. Alternatively, the water is directed through the hole 62 in the platform 58 to the base 20. In such a configuration, water drains through the hole 62 to the base 20 below the channel weep hole or to the exterior of the building 18 through, for example, a tube (not shown).
As shown in
Water that reaches the base 20 may be retained in the base 20. Alternatively, the water is directed to the exterior of the building 18. For example, the base 20 defines a slot 82 in communication with the drain paths 80 to allow water to drain from the base 20. In such a configuration, the water can seep away from the building 18 between the distal end 48 of the sill 22 and the base 20, or alternatively, can be directed from the slot 82 away from the base 20 with, for example, a passage or a tube. As appreciated by one skilled in the art, the slot 82 is configured to encourage the flow of water from the first base 20 channel 54 to the exterior and to discourage the flow of water from the exterior into the first base 20 channel 54. In addition, or in the alternative, the base 20 may define one or more base weep holes 84. In such a configuration, water drains through the base weep holes 84 to the exterior of the building 18 through, for example, a tube (not shown).
It is to be understood that many different designs, shapes, and styles of the sill can be used while keeping the base 20 disclosed herein constant. Likewise, may different designs, shapes, and styles of the base can be used while keeping the sill 22 disclosed herein a constant. This flexibility enables various door systems to be utilized with the threshold assembly 12 of the present invention.
The invention has been described in an illustrative manner, and it is to be understood that the terminology which has been used is intended to be in the nature of words of description rather than of limitation. Obviously, many modifications and variations of the present invention are possible in light of the above teachings, and the invention may be practiced otherwise than as specifically described.
The subject patent application claims priority to and all the benefits of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/906,971 which was filed on Mar. 14, 2007; and U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/913,652 which was filed on Apr. 24, 2007; the specification of both expressly incorporated herein by reference.
Number | Date | Country | |
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60906971 | Mar 2007 | US | |
60913652 | Apr 2007 | US |