Patent Application
20080110100
This patent document pertains generally to thresholds, such as for use with door or window assemblies. More particularly, but not by way of limitation, this patent document pertains to low-profile, self-draining threshold assemblies.
Threshold assemblies are typically associated with door and window assemblies, and provide a transition from an exterior or outside environment to an interior space of a building. Such threshold assemblies are anchored to or comprise the lower, horizontal jamb of a door or window frame, and are intended to provide sealing and a weather-proofing barrier for the door or window assembly. For instance, threshold assemblies should provide adequate run-off for rain or condensation so that there is no accumulation of water in or around the door or window frame that may cause mildew, rot or other water damage. Over an extended period of time, even small amounts of water can eventually lead to water damage or fungal growth in the surrounding building walls.
Weather-stripping alone may not be completely effective to prevent water accumulation in or around the door or window frame or subsequent water leakage into the interior of the building in normal situations; and particularly in those situations where the door or window assembly is subjected to high driving winds and pressure differentials on opposite sides of the door or window. High winds and pressure differentials have a tendency to drive water or air into and past weather-stripping. For instance, it has been found that weather-stripping solely at the front of a door or window assembly fails to provide an effective barrier to entry of water and air into the associated threshold assembly and thus, water and air may leak past such a weather-stripping configuration under various conditions.
Building standards in many countries of the world are becoming more stringent in prohibiting the intrusion of wind blow rain water or condensation, for example, into the interior of buildings through door or window assemblies. To this end, various types of drainage systems have been designed and incorporated into threshold assemblies in attempt to channel water away from the thresholds and thus, reduce or eliminate the accumulation of water in the thresholds or subsequent water leakage into the interior of buildings. Despite these efforts, window and door drainage systems persist as being a common source for the infiltration of wind-blown or pressure differential driven water through door and window assemblies.
Recently, the American with Disabilities Act (ADA) has promulgated a set guidelines for buildings and facilities. The guidelines provide, among other things, specified dimensions or dimension ranges to which building structures should follow for proper handicap accessibility. As one example, the guidelines state that threshold assemblies, provided at a doorway, should not exceed ¾-inch in height for exterior sliding doors or ½-inch for other types of doors. The guidelines go on to recite that changes in level up to ¼-inch can be vertical and do not need an edge treatment; however, changes in level between ¼-inch and ½-inch should have a beveled slope equaling 1:2, and changes in level greater than ½-inch should be equipped with a ramp. Many existing door drainage systems, which attempt to channel water away from the threshold assemblies, fail to meet the ADA threshold size guidelines, thereby minimizing their utility and desirability.
What is needed is a window or door assembly drainage system that permits the ready evacuation of rain water or condensation, while preventing heavy winds or pressure differentials from forcing rain or condensation into a door or window threshold assembly and subsequently into an interior of a building. What is further needed is threshold which may be designed to meet both the ADA guidelines and any applicable building water intrusion standards.
Low-profile, self-draining panel threshold assemblies are discussed. The threshold assemblies comprise an interior sill portion, an exterior sill portion, and a drop-down chamber therebetween. The interior sill portion may include a condensation channel, which in one example, includes a roller track centrally positioned therein. The exterior sill portion includes a drain chamber and a reservoir chamber, where the reservoir chamber is positioned below and optionally to the exterior of the drain chamber. The drop-down chamber is partially defined by an elongate exposed weather-strip and an elongate covered weather-strip. In varying examples, a reservoir chamber height is equal to or greater than a water head height at a preselected wind load pressure. In certain examples, an effective threshold assembly height is less than or equal to ¾-inch, such as less than or equal to ½-inch. Methods and apparatuses related to the threshold assemblies are also discussed.
In Example 1, a threshold assembly comprises an interior sill portion including a condensation channel; an exterior sill portion including a drain chamber and a reservoir chamber, the reservoir chamber positioned at least partially below the drain chamber; and a drop-down chamber between the interior sill portion and the exterior sill portion.
In Example 2, the threshold assembly of Example 1 is optionally configured such that a reservoir chamber height is equal to or greater than a water head height at a preselected wind load pressure.
In Example 3, the threshold assembly of Examples 1-2 is optionally configured such that an effective threshold assembly height is less than or equal to ¾-inch.
In Example 4, the threshold assembly of Examples 1-3 is optionally configured such that the interior sill portion, the exterior sill portion, and the drop-down chamber are supported by a mutual base plate.
In Example 5, the threshold assembly of Examples 1-4 is optionally configured such that a bottom portion of the reservoir chamber comprises one or more drain apertures.
In Example 6, the threshold assembly of Examples 1-5 optionally comprises an elongate exposed weather-strip and an elongate covered weather-strip, the weather-strips partially defining the drop-down chamber.
In Example 7, the threshold assembly of Examples 1-6 optionally comprises one or more insert seals disposed in one or both of the drain chamber or the reservoir chamber.
In Example 8, the threshold assembly of Example 7 is optionally configured such that at least one of the insert seals comprises a blocking seal disposed to separate the drain chamber into a water and air inlet chamber and an air outlet chamber.
In Example 9, the threshold assembly of Examples 1-8 optionally comprises one or more air tubes fluidly coupling the drain chamber and the condensation channel.
In Example 10, the threshold assembly of Examples 1-9 optionally comprises one or more gutter channels disposed between the drop-down chamber and the drain chamber and between the drain chamber and the reservoir chamber.
In Example 11, the threshold assembly of Examples 1-10 optionally comprises one or more drain tubes coupled to a bottom portion of the reservoir chamber.
In Example 12, a window or door assembly comprises a frame including a pair of vertically extending side jambs and a horizontally extending head jamb; an operator panel movable between an open position and a closed position, the frame surrounding the peripheral edges of the operator panel in the closed position; and a threshold assembly spaced from the head jamb, the threshold assembly including, an interior sill portion, and an exterior sill portion including a drain chamber and a reservoir chamber, the reservoir chamber positioned at least partially below and to the exterior of the drain chamber.
In Example 13, the window or door assembly of Example 12 is optionally configured such that the threshold assembly includes an elongate exposed weather-strip and an elongate covered weather-strip; the exposed weather-strip disposed to contact a face of the operator panel when in the closed position; and the covered weather-strip disposed to contact an underside of the operator panel when in the closed position.
In Example 14, the window or door assembly of Examples 12-13 is optionally configured such that a reservoir chamber height is equal to or greater than a water head height at a preselected wind load pressure.
In Example 15, the window or door assembly of Examples 12-14 is optionally configured such that the operator panel comprises one or more of a sliding door, an in-swinging door, or an out-swinging door.
In Example 16, the window or door assembly of Examples 12-15 is optionally configured such that a top surface of the reservoir chamber is positioned substantially level with an adjacent surface.
In Example 17, the window or door assembly of Examples 12-16 is optionally configured such that an effective threshold assembly height is less than or equal to ¾-inch.
In Example 18, a method comprises draining a flow of one or both of water or air into and through a drain chamber to a reservoir chamber, including draining the flow of water to a portion of the reservoir chamber at a position lower than the drain chamber; dispersing the air into a building interior; and removing the water from the reservoir chamber.
In Example 19, the method of Example 18 optionally comprises preventing the flow of one or both of water or air into and through the drain chamber, including selecting a reservoir chamber height equal to or greater than a water head height at a preselected wind load pressure.
In Example 20, the method of Examples 18-19 is optionally configured such that draining the flow of water or air includes using an exposed weather-strip and a covered weather-strip to direct the flow through the drain chamber.
In Example 21, the method of Examples 18-20 is optionally configured such that draining the flow of water or air includes using a base plate sloping downward from the drain chamber to the reservoir chamber.
In Example 22, the method of Examples 18-21 is optionally configured such that removing the water from the reservoir chamber includes releasing the water through one or more drain apertures when a threshold pressure is equal to or greater than an exterior pressure.
In Example 23, the method of Examples 18-22 is optionally configured such that removing the water from the reservoir chamber includes using one or more drain tubes coupled to a portion of the reservoir chamber.
Advantageously, the present threshold assemblies permit the ready evacuation of rain water or condensation, while preventing heavy winds from forcing rain or condensation into such assemblies and subsequently into an interior of a building. In addition to properly dispersing and sealing against water intrusion, the present threshold assemblies may be designed to meet both the ADA threshold size guidelines and any applicable building water intrusion standards. These and other examples, advantages, and features of the present threshold assemblies will be set forth in part in the detailed description, which follows, and in part will become apparent to those skilled in the art by reference to the following description of the present threshold assemblies and drawings or by practice of the same.
In the drawings, like numerals describe substantially similar components throughout the several views. Like numerals having different letter suffixes represent different instances of substantially similar components. The drawings illustrate generally, by way of example, but not by way of limitation, various embodiments discussed in the present document.
The following detailed description includes references to the accompanying drawings, which form a part of the detailed description. The drawings show, by way of illustration, specific embodiments in which the present threshold assemblies, apparatuses, and methods may be practiced. These embodiments, which are also referred to herein as “examples,” are described in enough detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice the present threshold assemblies, apparatuses, and methods. The embodiments may be combined, other embodiments may be utilized or structural or logical changes may be made without departing from the scope of the present threshold assemblies, apparatuses, and methods. The following detailed description is, therefore, not to be taken in a limiting sense, and the scope of the present threshold assemblies, apparatuses, and methods are defined by the appended claims and their legal equivalents.
In this document, the terms “a” or “an” are used to include one or more than one; and the tern “or” is used to refer to a nonexclusive “or” unless otherwise indicated. In addition, it is to be understood that the phraseology or terminology employed herein, and not otherwise defined, is for the purpose of description only and not of limitation.
Door and window threshold assemblies are provided herein for permitting the ready evacuation of rain water or condensation, while preventing heavy winds from forcing rain or condensation into such assemblies and subsequently into an interior of a building. In addition to properly dispersing and sealing against water intrusion, the present threshold assemblies may be designed to meet both the ADA size guidelines and any applicable building water intrusion standards. In varying examples, the threshold assemblies comprise an interior sill portion, an exterior sill portion, and a drop-down chamber therebetween.
As shown, the interior sill portion 202 is disposable adjacent an interior 116 of the building 102 (
Opposite the interior sill portion 202, the exterior sill portion 204 is disposable adjacent the exterior 118 of the building 102 (
Between the interior sill portion 202 and the exterior sill portion 204 lies the drop-down chamber 206. The drop-down chamber 206 is positioned at least partially in a weather-strip plane (i.e., a plane defined by one or more weather-stripping members) for catching any water (such as wind-blown rain water) that leaks past a longitudinally extending exposed weather-strip 222 contacting an exterior face of the operator sash panel 106. This drop-down chamber 206 is partially defined by the exposed weather-strip 222 and a covered weather-strip 224, both of which may be disposed to come in contact with a portion of the operator sash panel 106. For instance, the exposed weather-strip 222 may be disposed adjacent the exterior face of the operator sash panel 106, such that the exposed strip 222 is flexed by the operator sash panel 106 when the sash is moved to the closed position. The covered weather-strip 224 may be disposed in a close fitting and rubbing relationship with an underside surface of the operator sash panel 106, such that the strip presses up against the underside surface of the sash substantially across its entire length when closed.
The sealing provided by the exposed weather-strip 222 aims to keep as much air and water flow as reasonably possible from entering the drop-down chamber 206, such as when the threshold pressure is less than that of the exterior 118. Despite the exposed weather-strips' 222 efforts, water and air may pass between the exposed strip 222 and the adjacent exterior face of the operator sash panel 106, thereby into the drop-down chamber 206. The covered weather-strip 224, in conjunction with the underside surface of the operator sash panel 106, prevent this drop-down water and air from penetrating toward the interior 116 of the building 102 (
The drain chamber 218 is definable by the inner upwardly extending wall 228, an opposite middle upwardly extending wall 230, and one or more insert seals 232. Optionally, at least one of the one or more insert seals 232 disposed in the drain chamber 218 may acts as a blocking seal to separate the drain chamber 218 into a water and air inlet chamber 280 and an air outlet chamber 282. In one example, the drain chamber 218 comprises a hollow, substantially rectangular-shaped structure which extends longitudinally the entire length of the threshold assembly 114. Drop-down water and air entering the drain chamber 218 via the one or more gutter channels 226 may be urged toward and into the reservoir chamber 220 via a downwardly slanted base plate 208 portion and one or more gutter channels 238 disposed in the middle upwardly extending wall 230.
The reservoir chamber 220 separates the air and water flowing from the drain chamber 218. The water flows into the reservoir chamber 220 and air is allowed to disperse to the interior 116 of the attached building 102 (
The height of the reservoir chamber X may dictate the performance level of a threshold assembly 114. In varying examples, the height of the reservoir chamber is selected such that the threshold assembly 114 resists water and air penetration, such as during the presence of a storm when the interior pressure typically decreases. That is, the height is selected by mathematical calculations to be greater than or equal to the height of a water head at wind load pressures. For instance, the selection of the reservoir chamber height may be performed as follows:
P=(0.002496)×(V2) [Eq. 1]
WH=0.192×P [Eq. 2]
Where: V=wind velocity in miles per hour; P=wind load in pounds per square foot; and WH=water head in inches of H2O. As one example, for 49 mile per hour winds, the reservoir chamber height should be selected at approximately 1.30 inches, and at least 1.15 inches.
Wind may be defined as air in motion parallel to the ground. When air is moving in a horizontal direction at a given velocity (V), it exerts a static or dynamic wind load pressure (P) on a stationary vertical plane perpendicular to the wind direction, that is proportional to the square of its velocity. Wind striking the vertical plane is the same as wind blowing against a door or window of a door or window assembly, respectively. When rain is introduced into the moving air, the static or dynamic wind load pressure (P) will hold the rain water at a calculable height or water head (WH) in the reservoir chamber 220.
Since interior 116 (
The present threshold assemblies 114 comprise a reservoir chamber 220 that is positioned lower and to the exterior of other portions of the assembly. This lower placement of the reservoir chamber 220 allows a deck 150 (shown in phantom) or other adjacent surface to be disposed level (or substantially level) with a top surface 290 of the reservoir chamber 220. In this way, an effective height H (i.e., a height relative to one or more adjacent surfaces) of the present threshold assembly 114 may be minimized (thereby meeting the ADA guidelines for maximum effective threshold height), while still providing the necessary resistance to water and air intrusion (via the necessary reservoir chamber height X). Further, such lower placement of the reservoir chamber 220 may allow for increased water and air intrusion resistance (as interior 116 and exterior 118 pressures fluctuate). The one or more gutter channels 226, 238 allow the reservoir pressure to be spread throughout the drop-down chamber 206 and the drain chamber 218 thereby providing resistant to water and air intrusion via a collective threshold pressure.
Covering portions of the drain chamber 218 and the reservoir chamber 220 is a downwardly ramping top cover 250 extending from the inner upwardly extending wall 228 to the middle 230 or the outer 234 upwardly extending wall. In one example, the top cover 250 includes a non-skid surface. Among other things, the threshold assembly 114 may be manufactured from steel, aluminum, wood, plastic, fiberglass, or combinations thereof; and may be extruded, injection molded or fabricated by any suitable process that lends itself to these materials. By using theses materials and fabrication techniques in conjunction with the aforementioned threshold design, the present threshold assemblies provide the strength and rigidity needed to ensure support of weights, such as the weight of the operator 106 and stationary 104 sash panels and the weight of a person traversing over the threshold 114.
While the present threshold assemblies 114 have been discussed in association with sliding door assemblies 100 (
As shown, the interior sill portion 202 is disposable adjacent an interior 116 of the building 102 (
Opposite the interior sill portion 202, the exterior sill portion 204 is disposable adjacent an exterior 118 of the building 102 (
Between the interior sill portion 202 and the exterior sill portion 204 lies the drop-down chamber 206. The drop-down chamber 206 is positioned at least partially in a weather-strip plane for catching any water (such as wind-blown rain 410 water) that leaks past a longitudinally extending exposed weather-strip 222 contacting an exterior face of the in-swinging operator door panel 302. This drop-down chamber 206 is partially defined by the exposed weather-strip 222 and a covered weather-strip 224, both of which may be disposed to come in contact with portions of the in-swinging operator door panel 302. For instance, the exposed weather-strip 222 may be disposed adjacent the exterior face of the in-swinging operator door panel 302, such that the strip 222 is flexed by the in-swinging operator door panel 302 when the door is moved to the closed position (shown). The covered weather-strip 224 may be disposed in a close fitting and rubbing relationship with an underside surface of the in-swinging operator door panel 302, such that the strip presses up against the underside surface of the door substantially across its entire length when closed.
The sealing provided by the exposed weather-strip 222 aims to keep as much air and water flow as reasonably possible from entering the drop-down chamber 206, such as when the threshold pressure is less than that of the exterior 118. Despite the exposed weather-strips' 222 efforts, water and air may pass between the strip 222 and the adjacent exterior face of the in-swinging operator door panel 302 into the drop-down chamber 206. The covered weather-strip 224, in conjunction with the underside surface of the in-swinging operator door panel 302, prevent this drop-down water and air from penetrating toward the interior 116 of the building 102 (
The drain chamber 218 is definable by the inner upwardly extending wall 228, an opposite middle upwardly extending wall 230, and one or more insert seals 232 (see also
The reservoir chamber 220 separates the air and water flowing from the drain chamber 218. The water flows into the reservoir chamber 220 and air is allowed to disperse to the interior of the attached building 102 (
As discussed above, the height of the reservoir chamber X may dictate the performance level of a threshold assembly 114. The present threshold assemblies 114 comprise a reservoir chamber 220 that is positioned lower and to the exterior of other portions of the assembly 114. This lower placement of the reservoir chamber 220 allows a deck 150 (
Covering portions of the drain chamber 218 and the reservoir chamber 220 is a downwardly ramping top cover 250 extending from the inner upwardly extending wall 228 to the middle 230 or the outer 234 upwardly extending wall. In one example, the top cover 250 includes a non-skid surface. Among other things, the threshold assembly 114 may be manufactured from steel, aluminum, wood, plastic, fiberglass, or combinations thereof, and may be extruded, injection molded or fabricated by any suitable process that lends itself to these materials. By using theses materials and fabrication techniques in conjunction with aforementioned threshold design, the present threshold assemblies provide the strength and rigidity needed to ensure support of weights, such as the weight of the in-swinging operator door panel 302 and the weight of a person who traverses over the threshold 114.
As shown, the interior sill portion 202 is disposable adjacent an interior 116 of the building 102 (
Opposite the interior sill portion 202, the exterior sill portion 204 is disposable adjacent an exterior 118 of the building 102 (
Between the interior sill portion 202 and the exterior sill portion 204 lies the drop-down chamber 206. The drop-down chamber 206 is positioned at least partially in a weather-strip plane for catching any water (such as wind-blown rain 410 water) that leaks past a longitudinally extending covered weather-strip 224 contacting an underside surface of the out-swinging operator door panel 302. This drop-down chamber 206 is partially defined by the covered weather-strip 224 and an exposed weather-strip 222, both of which may be disposed to come in contact with portions of the out-swinging operator door panel 302. For instance, the exposed weather-strip 222 may be disposed adjacent an interior face of the out-swinging operator door panel 302, such that the strip 222 is flexed by the out-swinging operator door panel 302 when the door is moved to the closed position (shown). The covered weather-strip 224 may be disposed in a close fitting and rubbing relationship with an underside surface of the out-swinging operator door panel 302, such that the strip presses up against the underside surface of the door substantially across its entire length when closed.
The sealing provided by the covered weather-strip 224 aims to keep as much air and water flow as reasonably possible from entering the drop-down chamber 206, such as when the threshold pressure is less than that of the exterior 118 or when wind pressure forces water between the underside of the door and the covered weather-strip 224. Despite the covered weather-strips' 224 efforts, water and air may pass between the strip 224 and the underside surface of the out-swinging operator door panel 302 into the drop-down chamber 206. The exposed weather-strip 222, in conjunction with the interior face of the out-swinging operator door panel 302, prevent this drop-down water and air from penetrating toward the interior 116 of the building 102 (
The drain chamber 218 is definable by the inner upwardly extending wall 228, an opposite middle upwardly extending wall 230, and one or more insert seals 232 (see also
The reservoir chamber 220 separates the air and water flowing from the drain chamber 218. The water flows into the reservoir chamber 220 and air is allowed to disperse to the interior of the attached building 102 (
As discussed above, the height of reservoir chamber X may dictate the performance level of a threshold assembly 114. The present threshold assemblies 114 comprise a reservoir chamber 220 that is positioned lower and to the exterior of other portions of the assembly. This lower placement of the reservoir chamber 220 allows a deck 150 (
Covering portions of the drain chamber 218 and the reservoir chamber 220 is a downwardly ramping top cover 250 extending from the inner upwardly extending wall 228 to the middle 230 or the outer 234 upwardly extending wall. In one example, the top cover 250 includes a non-skid surface. Among other things, the threshold assembly 114 may be manufactured from steel, aluminum, wood, plastic, fiberglass, or combinations thereof; and may be extruded, injection molded or fabricated by any suitable process that lends itself to these materials. By using theses materials and fabrication techniques in conjunction with aforementioned threshold design, the present threshold assemblies provide the strength and rigidity needed to ensure support of weights, such as the weight of the in-swinging operator door panel 302 and the weight of a person who traverses over the threshold 114.
At 708, the flow of air reaching the reservoir chamber is allowed back through the drain chamber to a condensation channel where it is dispersed to the interior. The flow of water reaching the reservoir chamber is stored therein until the threshold pressure is equal to or greater than an exterior pressure. At 710, the stored water in the reservoir chamber is removed via one or more drain apertures or drain tubes.
Advantageously, the present threshold assemblies permit the ready evacuation of rain water or condensation, while preventing heavy winds from forcing rain or condensation into such assemblies and subsequently into an interior of a building. In addition to properly dispersing and sealing against water intrusion, the present threshold assemblies may be designed to meet both the ADA threshold size guidelines and any applicable building water intrusion standards via a design in which the effective threshold height is not dependent upon a desired height of the reservoir chamber.
While the present sill assemblies may be used with a variety of units enclosed by, or having, a peripheral frame, a majority of the foregoing description is cast in terms of a sill assembly's use with a door unit for brevity purposes. Such description is not intended, however, to limit the scope of the present subject matter in any way. It is to be understood that the above description is intended to be illustrative, and not restrictive. As one example, the present threshold assemblies may be used with windows and doors of various configurations, such as sliding doors, in-swinging doors, and out-swinging doors. Many other embodiments will be apparent to those of skill in the art upon reviewing the above description. The scope of the present threshold assemblies, apparatuses, and methods should, therefore, be determined with reference to the appended claims, along with the full scope of legal equivalents to which such claims are entitled. In the appended claims, the terms “including” and “in which” are used as the plain-English equivalents of the respective terms “comprising” and “wherein.” Also, in the following claims, the terms “including” and “comprising” are open-ended, that is, a system, assembly, article, or process that includes elements in addition to those listed after such a term in a claim are still deemed to fall within the scope of that claim.
The Abstract of the Disclosure is provided to comply with 37 C.F.R. §1.72(b), requiring an abstract that will allow the reader to quickly ascertain the nature of the technical disclosure. It is submitted with the understanding that it will not be used to interpret or limit the scope or meaning of the claims. In addition, in the foregoing Detailed Description, various features may be grouped together to streamline the disclosure. This method of disclosure is not to be interpreted as reflecting an intention that the claimed embodiments require more features than are expressly recited in each claim. Rather, as the following claims reflect, inventive subject matter may lie in less than all features of a single disclosed embodiment. Thus the following claims are hereby incorporated into the Detailed Description, with each claim standing on its own as a separate embodiment.
