Abstract: Some aspects relate to weather seal systems for forming water barriers and air barriers. Some air barriers include a sill portion, a frame portion, and a transition portion extending between the sill and frame portions, where the transition portion extends inwardly and downwardly from the frame portion of the air barrier, toward an interior side of an associated door assembly, to the sill portion of the air barrier. The transition portion optionally provides a buffer zone, or transition zone of air at a greater spacing from the water barrier. In some embodiments, the transition zone is equilibrated to external pressures and supplies substantially dry air to air leaks in the air barrier.

Abstract: A door with a moveable window sash and a method of operating the same. The door includes vertical jambs with vertical channels. A window sash is movable in the vertical channels. A retractable screen assembly is attached to the door. The retractable screen assembly includes a roller, a flexible screen attached at a first end to the roller and at a second end to the movable window sash, and a biasing mechanism adapted to apply a continuous torque to the roller. The torque generates a positioning force on the window sash equal to at least 50% of the force of gravity acting on a window sash, such that the window sash can be positioned at an infinite number of locations along the vertical channels.

Abstract: A window or door assembly having a secondary sash hinged to a prime sash and movable between a closed position and an open position toward an interior region. The prime sash is coupled to a frame. A compressible member biases the secondary sash toward the open position. A latch assembly is provided including a plurality of retractable latching elements each biased to an extended position to retain the secondary sash in the closed position. The latch assembly includes a sliding operator accessible from the interior region and slidable along an edge of the secondary sash to sequentially displace the retractable latching elements to a retracted position sufficient for the compressible member to move the secondary sash toward the open position.

Abstract: A closure assembly and a method of installing the closure assembly are provided. A insertion opening is formed in water resistant barrier covering a rough opening that generally corresponds to a perimeter of the rough opening. A drainage system including a channel assembly is installed on a sill surface of the rough opening. The closure assembly is inserted into the rough opening and temporarily secured to the structure. At least one shim carried on the closure assembly is adjusted to level the closure assembly in the rough opening. A sealing member attached to the closure assembly is engaged with the water resistant barrier. A foam material is delivered into at least a portion of a space between perimeter edge surfaces of the closure assembly and inner surfaces of the rough opening to permanently secure the closure assembly within the rough opening.

Abstract: The present invention includes an apparatus for an active/inactive door system wherein an inactive door lock prevents the locking of an active door lock unless the inactive door lock is first engaged in a locking position. The active door lock includes a dead bolt and a lever for extensible locking engagement with a strike plate on the inactive door. The inactive door lock includes an upper and lower shoot bolt lock, each shoot bolt include a spring lever. Each spring lever is selectably biased against a back side of the strike plate in a first or second detent. The first detent is positioned on the strike plate such that when the corresponding spring lever is biased against in the first detent against a back side of the strike plate the corresponding dead bolt or latch bolt cannot be extended into engagement with the strike plate in a locking position.

Abstract: A drainage system for a fenestration assembly is located in a rough opening of a structure. The drainage system includes a moisture barrier located between at least a bottom of the fenestration assembly and a bottom inner surface of the rough opening. The moisture barrier includes a vertical portion extending generally vertically downward below the rough opening on an external side of the structure. A channel assembly is located generally below the rough opening. The channel assembly includes at least one channel having a channel entrance proximate the bottom inner surface of the rough opening and a discharge opening direct toward a drainage area. The channel includes an effective cross-sectional area adapted to siphon water located on the moisture barrier to the drainage area.

Abstract: Methods for installing a door assembly in a rough opening at a job site include performing the following steps at a location remote from the job site where the door is to be installed: positioning a door frame around a perimeter edge of a door panel; attaching the door panel to the door frame with a plurality of hinges to comprise a pre-hung door; retaining the door frame square with respect to the door panel; attaching a plurality of mounting brackets to the pre-hung door. The method also includes inserting the pre-hung door into the rough opening at the job site and attaching the mounting brackets to the rough opening to support the door panel for opening and closing before the door frame is attached to the rough opening.

Abstract: A self-sealing window with a flexible gasket that extends around the entire perimeter of closure assemblies and a method of installing such closure assemblies in a rough opening. A sealing member is attached continuously around an entire perimeter of the closure assembly to form a water impermeable seal between the sealing member and the closure assembly. The closure assembly is inserted into the rough opening. Accurate positioning of the closure assembly in the rough opening is verified. The closure assembly is secured in the rough opening. The sealing member is engaged with an exterior surface of the structure proximate the rough opening. A foam material is delivered into at least a portion of a space between perimeter edge surfaces of the closure assembly and inner surfaces of the rough opening.

Abstract: A method of preparing a reinforcing structure for use in manufacture a pultruded part where the reinforcing structure is pulled through a pultrusion die in a continuous longitudinal pull direction. The method includes arranging a plurality of first reinforcing fibers in a transverse direction and attaching a permeable transport web of staple fibers to the first reinforcing fibers such that the portion of the first reinforcing fibers oriented in the direction transverse comprises at least 30% of a volume of materials comprising the reinforcing structure.

Abstract: A method of preparing a reinforcing structure for use in manufacture a pultruded part where the reinforcing structure is pulled through a pultrusion die in a continuous longitudinal pull direction. The method includes arranging a plurality of first reinforcing fibers in a transverse direction and attaching a permeable transport web of staple fibers to the first reinforcing fibers such that the portion of the first reinforcing fibers oriented in the direction transverse comprises at least 30% of a volume of materials comprising the reinforcing structure.

Abstract: A drainage system for a fenestration assembly is located in a rough opening of a structure. The drainage system includes a moisture barrier located between at least a bottom of the fenestration assembly and a bottom inner surface of the rough opening. The moisture barrier includes a vertical portion extending generally vertically downward below the rough opening on an external side of the structure. A channel assembly is located generally below the rough opening. The channel assembly includes at least one channel having a channel entrance proximate the bottom inner surface of the rough opening and a discharge opening direct toward a drainage area. The channel includes an effective cross-sectional area adapted to siphon water located on the moisture barrier to the drainage area.

Abstract: An actuation system for use with an adjustable covering for a fenestration product. The actuation system coupled to an operator for controlling adjustment of extension and contraction of the covering. The actuation system including at least one lift mechanism configured to decouple the actuation system from the operator during a potentially damaging event, such as slack in a lift cord during extension of the covering. The lift mechanism later recoupling the actuation system and operator while maintaining rotational registration between multiple lift mechanisms of the actuation system.

Abstract: A closure assembly and a method of installing the closure assembly are provided. A insertion opening is formed in water resistant barrier covering a rough opening that generally corresponds to a perimeter of the rough opening. A drainage system including a channel assembly is installed on a sill surface of the rough opening. The closure assembly is inserted into the rough opening and temporarily secured to the structure. At least one shim carried on the closure assembly is adjusted to level the closure assembly in the rough opening. A sealing member attached to the closure assembly is engaged with the water resistant barrier. A foam material is delivered into at least a portion of a space between perimeter edge surfaces of the closure assembly and inner surfaces of the rough opening to permanently secure the closure assembly within the rough opening.

Abstract: A connector for holding an internal muntin assembly away from a perimeter spacer of an insulating glass assembly until the assembler is ready to affix the muntin bar to the perimeter bar using an attachment device. The connector includes a positioning tab for holding the muntin bar away from the perimeter spacer to allow positioning of the muntin bar assembly until the positioning tab is moved relative to a baseplate so that the attachment device, such as thick double stick tape, is pressed to the perimeter spacer.

Abstract: An adjustable shim for positioning a closure unit in a rough opening. The closure unit includes a frame with a perimeter edge and at least one longitudinal recess in the perimeter edge. The adjustable shim includes an attachment member adapted to releasably couple with the longitudinal recess and at least one deformable leg having a first end and a second end coupled to the attachment member. An elongated member is coupled to the deformable leg in a compact configuration. Displacement of the elongated member in a first direction deforms the leg into an expanded configuration. The adjustable shim in the expanded configuration creates opposing forces simultaneously acting on the perimeter edge and the rough opening sufficient to suspend the closure unit in the rough opening. A method and system for installing a closure unit in a rough opening using the adjustable shim is also disclosed.

Abstract: A tensioning system for drawing together abutting first and second portions of a closure assembly includes a base member and at least a first deformable member. The base member is attached to the first portion of the closure assembly. The first deformable member has a center portion, a proximal end mechanically coupled to the base member and a distal end attached to the second portion of the closure assembly. Deformation of the center portion generates a first tensioning force on the base member that draws the first portion of the closure assembly toward the second portion.

Abstract: A window covering leveling method for a moveable rail actuated by at least one lift cord. The leveling method including the steps of providing a lift cord adjustment mechanism mounted within the moveable rail; attaching the lift cord to the adjustment mechanism; adjusting the lift cord length through operation of the lift cord adjustment mechanism so as to facilitate leveling of the moveable rail; and fixing the lift cord at the adjusted length.

Abstract: A window or door assembly having a secondary sash hinged to a prime sash and movable between a closed position and an open position toward an interior region. The prime sash is coupled to a frame. A compressible member biases the secondary sash toward the open position. A latch assembly is provided including a plurality of retractable latching elements each biased to an extended position to retain the secondary sash in the closed position. The latch assembly includes a sliding operator accessible from the interior region and slidable along an edge of the secondary sash to sequentially displace the retractable latching elements to a retracted position sufficient for the compressible member to move the secondary sash toward the open position. The present invention is also directed to a method of operating the latch assembly.