Strip Movement In Plane Of Closure Patents (Class 49/306)
  • Patent number: 11840879
    Abstract: A door sealing unit for preventing spread of harmful gases and viruses is installed on a lower end frame of a door installed in a hinged manner at a boundary between a living room and a room, and includes a fixing member having a predetermined amount of elasticity and being fitted and fixed onto the lower end frame of the door, and a sealing member formed on a lower end of the fixing member and made of a soft material, wherein the sealing member is formed to spread to both sides.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2023
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2023
    Inventor: Jisoo Jeong
  • Patent number: 11585151
    Abstract: A self-adjusting retractable screen system including a sheet of flexible screen material and a bottom bar assembly extending horizontally along a bottom edge of the sheet of flexible screen material from a first end to a second end. The bottom bar assembly includes a termination bar secured to the bottom edge of the sheet of flexible screen material and an adjustable arm received on the termination bar. The adjustable arm can be rotated between a level position and a rotated position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2023
    Assignee: TUCSON ROLLING SHUTTERS, INC.
    Inventors: Jeffery L. Healam, J. Martin Ackerman, Don Zimprich, Christophe R. Trafton
  • Patent number: 11525622
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides system for sealing a refrigerated galley of an aircraft. The system includes a door, and a seal assembly positioned at a bottom surface of the door. The seal assembly includes (i) a housing coupled to the bottom surface of the door, (ii) a seal positioned at least partially in the housing, wherein the seal is moveable relative to the housing and the door, (iii) a biasing mechanism coupled to the housing and the seal and configured to hold the seal in a relaxed state by applying a biasing force to the seal in a direction away from a floor surface of the refrigerated galley, and (iv) an activation mechanism coupled to the housing. The activation mechanism is configured to transition the seal from the relaxed state to a compressed state in response to a rotation of the door from an open position to a closed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2022
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Douglas A. Brown, James P. Schalla, Justin W. Balvanz, Thomas J. Moran
  • Patent number: 10526839
    Abstract: A sealing pad is configured to be adjustably mounted between the perimeter of a door and a surrounding doorjamb. The sealing pad is adjustably mounted to a bottom corner of the doorjamb. The sealing pad has a base, an inside lobe closest to an inside edge of the sealing pad, an outer lobe farthest away from the inside edge, and a middle lobe between the inside and outer lobes. The base contains a tail at the inside edge opposing and extending away from the outside lobe.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2020
    Assignee: Masonite Corporation
    Inventor: William W. Kling
  • Patent number: 10287817
    Abstract: A movable wall panel system may include a bottom drop seal assembly that maintains a constant force relative to a floor portion of an environment through a damper. The movable wall panel system may include an automatic top seal assembly that seals a gap between the movable wall panel system and a ceiling of the environment. The moveable wall panel system may include multiple panels and a plurality of seals positioned between adjacent panels to seal a gap between the adjacent panels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2019
    Assignee: Modernfold, Inc.
    Inventors: Brad Jones, Aaron Alexander, Phil Middaugh, Mark McDonough, Adam Burke, Mike Beeler, Robert K. Schuyler, Philip M. Watson, Matthew Puccio, Thomas L. Goldsmith, Bryan T. Welch
  • Publication number: 20150123533
    Abstract: Refrigeration units and door systems for refrigeration units are provided. A door system for a refrigeration unit includes an outer frame and at least two sliding doors having the same size. Each door can include inner, outer, upper and lower sides that can have side outer surfaces presenting a seal profile that permits each door to seal when in a closed position. Each door can include pins extending outward from side outer surfaces of the upper and lower sides. The door system can include two parallel running rails within the outer frame. Each rail can include an upper sliding groove in which the pins of the sliding door run when the sliding doors move to an open position and a plurality of seating grooves that open up to the upper sliding grooves and extend downward from the upper sliding grooves in which the sliding doors reside in a closed position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 11, 2014
    Publication date: May 7, 2015
    Inventor: Jorge Gonzalez Rivas
  • Publication number: 20150082704
    Abstract: A roll-up door seal arrangement includes side seals, an upper seal and a lower seal to completely seal the periphery of a roll-up door when the door is in a closed position. The seals are sized and adapted to assemble to a standard roll-up door frame without a separate or dedicated frame structure. The seals provide redundant sealing surfaces, positioned to cooperate with both the door and door frame, which ensure an effective and durable fluid tight seal between the cargo space enclosed by the roll-up door and the ambient environment. The seal may be produced by extrusion from a flexible, weather resistant material such as EPDM, thereby providing a low cost solution for sealing roll-up doors having industry standard door frame constructions. The seal is firmly engageable with the door frame, such that the seal may be installed with little or no use of secondary fixation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 30, 2014
    Publication date: March 26, 2015
    Inventors: Jimmy D. Gamble, Robert R. Slocum, Graham E. Blackwood, Katherine A. Bergfeld
  • Publication number: 20150015133
    Abstract: A pivoting mullion for a temperature-controlled storage device is provided. The pivoting mullion includes a mullion body pivotally attached to a display case door of the temperature-controlled storage device. The mullion body is rotatable relative to the display case door between a first position when the display case door is open and a second position when the display case door is closed. The mullion body is configured to provide a support surface against which the display case door rests when the mullion body is in the second position and the display case door is closed. The pivoting mullion further includes a lighting element fixed to the mullion body and configured to activate when the display case door is closed. Activation of the lighting element illuminates items within the temperature-controlled storage device such that the items are visible through the display case door when the display case door is closed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 10, 2014
    Publication date: January 15, 2015
    Inventors: Frank J. Carbajal, Paul J. Artwohl, Jeffery W. Nicholson
  • Patent number: 8925250
    Abstract: An automatic door bottom drop down seal having an actuator responsive to closing of the door for moving a sealing member vertically downwards into a sealing position relative to the door threshold when the door is closed. The actuator includes a arm connected to a block slidable within a channel of the seal housing. The arm is pivotally connected to the slide block so to pivot downwardly to impart downward pressure on the sealing member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2015
    Assignee: RBP Associates Limited
    Inventor: Ronald Brian Parker
  • Patent number: 8839558
    Abstract: A sealing assembly for sealing a gap between a swing door and a floor comprises a sealing member installed to be able to rotate from a closed position to an open position, an elastically deforming member made of an elastomer composition engaged to the sealing member, and a seal driving member to rotate the sealing member from the closed position to the open position when the door is opened. The elastically deforming member is deformed when the sealing member rotates from the closed position to the open position, and the sealing member returns from the open position to the closed position by elastic force of the elastically deforming member when the door is closed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 23, 2014
    Assignee: Wabtec Holding Corp.
    Inventors: Peter Heidrich, Frank Golemis
  • Patent number: 8745924
    Abstract: An automatic door bottom having a release mechanism is used on the bottom of a hinged door that is pivotable to be positioned over a sill when closed and includes a movable sealing member having a length corresponding to the width of the door and is housed in a channel mounted on the door. The sealing member is movable vertically downwardly into a sealing position in which the sealing member will contact the door sill when the door is closed. The release mechanism permits the sealing member to be moved upwardly even when the door is in the closed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2014
    Assignee: Zero International, Inc.
    Inventor: Adi Tshai
  • Publication number: 20140123558
    Abstract: A sealing assembly for sealing a gap between a swing door and a floor comprises a sealing member installed to be able to rotate from a closed position to an open position, an elastically deforming member made of an elastomer composition engaged to the sealing member, and a seal driving member to rotate the sealing member from the closed position to the open position when the door is opened. The elastically deforming member is deformed when the sealing member rotates from the closed position to the open position, and the sealing member returns from the open position to the closed position by elastic force of the elastically deforming member when the door is closed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 24, 2012
    Publication date: May 8, 2014
    Applicant: WABTEC HOLDING CORP.
    Inventors: Peter Heidrich, Frank Golemis
  • Publication number: 20140096448
    Abstract: Disclosed is an airtight window, which can provide a space for enabling the window to be tilted during the fitting thereof into a window frame, and which cuts off the communication between an indoor area and an outdoor area so as to increase thermal insulation and prevent noise when installed. An upper frame of a window frame has a square C-shape with an open bottom, and has an installation end tightly contacting an installation part of a building and bent ends which extend downwardly from both ends of the installation end and which are bent inwardly so as to face each other. A movable frame of the window frame also has a square C-shape with an open bottom, and both ends thereof are formed into stopper ends so as to be disposed on and caught at the bent ends of the upper frame.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 15, 2012
    Publication date: April 10, 2014
    Applicant: AHC SYSTEM WINDOWS. CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Chul Woo Joo
  • Patent number: 8656643
    Abstract: A combined seal activation system positioned within a panel for use with a combination of the panel and a frame includes a first seal activation system and a second seal activation system. The panel pivots relative to the frame. The first seal activation system activates a first sealing system positioned within the frame, and the second seal activation system activates a second sealing system positioned within the frame. The first seal activation system is positioned adjacent a first side of the panel, and the second seal activation system is positioned adjacent a second side of the panel different than the first side of the panel. The first and second seal activation systems having an engaged configuration and a disengaged configuration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2014
    Assignee: Tyto Life LLC
    Inventors: Jonathan D. Thielmann, Robert E. Pruss
  • Patent number: 8544936
    Abstract: A device for connecting functional elements is indicated which are arranged in a sliding door of a motor vehicle, with at least one supply source present in the body of the motor vehicle through lines which extend between the functional elements and the supply source. The sliding door is mounted on a carriage which is moveable back and forth in the bottom area of the motor vehicle essentially over the entire width of a door opening (3). Lines connected to a connection point (14) of the supply source are arranged in a guide chain (16) which is composed of mechanically stable chain links which are moveably connected to each other, wherein the guide chain is pivotally fastened with a first end to the sliding door and with a second end in the area of the connection point (14) to the body of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2013
    Assignee: Nexans
    Inventor: Gerhard Lindner
  • Publication number: 20130219792
    Abstract: An automatic door bottom drop down seal having an actuator responsive to closing of the door for moving a sealing member vertically downwards into a sealing position relative to the door threshold when the door is closed. The actuator includes a arm connected to a block slidable within a channel of the seal housing. The arm is pivotally connected to the slide block so to pivot downwardly to impart downward pressure on the sealing member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 7, 2011
    Publication date: August 29, 2013
    Applicant: RBP ASSOCIATES LIMITED
    Inventor: Reginald Brian Parker
  • Patent number: 8484899
    Abstract: A combination sealing system includes a driving sealing system, a driven sealing system, and a drive system. The driving sealing system includes a tongue attached to and extending away from a sash of a first panel, and a receiver attached to and within a frame. The driven sealing system includes a rotational member connected to a meeting rail of a second panel, and a first catch connected to a meeting rail of the first panel. The drive system is attached to the receiver and the rotational member. The first catch is configured to engage the rotational member. The receiver is configured to receive the tongue. The first panel is movable between an open position and a completely closed position. Prior to the first panel being in the completely closed position, the drive system transfer motion within the drive sealing system to the driven sealing system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2013
    Assignee: Tyto Life LLC
    Inventors: William Kip Speyer, Bryan D. Dervarics, Don S. Salerno
  • Patent number: 8381448
    Abstract: An adjustable door sweep with an upper frame, a lower carrier, and at least one brush is provided. The adjustable door sweep includes diagonally oriented slots in the walls of the upper frame and the lower carrier with attached rotatable rods to assist in vertical adjustment of the extensions, such as brushes. The method of using such an adjustable door sweep is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2013
    Assignee: Special-Lite, Inc.
    Inventors: Leo R. Flory, Andrew J. Seiser
  • Patent number: 8336257
    Abstract: A telescoping floor seal assembly comprising an attachment portion adapted to be mounted to a bottom edge of a vertically displaceable partition, and a displaceable sealing portion slideably mounted within the attachment portion for relative displacement therewith between a fully collapsed position and a fully extended position and described. The displaceable sealing portion has at least one longitudinal sealing edge member at a base thereof for contacting a floor when the vertical partition is displaced to a closed position. The attachment portion is substantially vertically displaceable with the vertically displaceable partition while the sealing edge member of the displaceable sealing portion remains in sealing contact with the floor within a predetermined displacement range of vertical movement of the vertical partition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2012
    Assignee: Railquip Enterprises Inc.
    Inventors: Mark McDonald, Jack Zagorski, Liang Kan Zheng
  • Patent number: 8336258
    Abstract: A combined sealing system for connecting a first panel having a sash to a frame includes first, second, and third sealing systems. The first panel is within and movable relative to the frame, comprising: The first sealing system is configured to engage a first portion of the sash with a first portion of the frame. The second sealing system is configured to engage a second portion of the sash with a second portion of the frame. The third sealing system is configured to engage a meeting rail of the first panel with a meeting rail of a second panel within the frame. The first panel is movable between at least an open position and a completely closed position. Prior to the first panel being in the completely closed position, engagement of the first sealing system begins and drives engagement of at least one of the second and third sealing systems.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2012
    Assignee: Secura-Seal Technologies LLC
    Inventors: William Kip Speyer, Jonathan D. Thielmann, Bryan D. Dervarics, Don S. Solerno, Robby A. Marsh
  • Patent number: 7958674
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a door sealing element for sealing a gap between a movable door and a stationary floor side mating face, comprising two pieces of flexible tubing which are connected to each other such that they communicate on one end, namely a first piece of tubing, to be provided in the region of the door edge on the gap side, and a second piece of tubing, to be provided in the region of a door edge to be moved against a stationary stop surface in a closed position of the door.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2011
    Assignee: Meister-Plast GmbH
    Inventor: Marcus Meister
  • Patent number: 7707773
    Abstract: A combined seal activation system positioned within a panel for use with a combination of the panel and a frame includes a first seal activation system and a second seal activation system. The panel pivots relative to the frame. The first seal activation system activates a first sealing system positioned within the frame, and the second seal activation system activates a second sealing system positioned within the frame. The first seal activation system is positioned adjacent a first side of the panel, and the second seal activation system is positioned adjacent a second side of the panel different than the first side of the panel. The first and second seal activation systems having an engaged configuration and a disengaged configuration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2010
    Assignee: Speyer Door and Window, Inc.
    Inventors: Jonathan D Thielmann, Robert E Pruss
  • Patent number: 7685776
    Abstract: A sealing system connects a panel to a frame and includes an anchor and a pair of opposing docking collars. The anchor extends from the frame or panel, and the opposing docking collars are disposed within a guide portion in the other of the frame or panel. The sealing system has an unlocked configuration and a locked configuration. In the unlocked configuration, the panel moves relative to the frame along a plane substantially parallel to a longitudinal axis of the anchor. In the locked configuration, the anchor is positioned between the docking collars, and the anchor is engaged by the docking collars to prevent movement of the panel relative to the frame along the plane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2010
    Assignee: Speyer Door and Window, Inc.
    Inventors: William Kip Speyer, Jonathan D. Thielmann, Robert E. Pruss
  • Patent number: 7685775
    Abstract: A combined sealing system for connecting a panel to a frame includes a first sealing system and a second sealing system. The first sealing system connects a first surface of the panel to a first surface of the frame, and the second sealing system connects a second surface of the panel to a second surface of the frame. The combined sealing system has an unlocked configuration and a locked configuration. In the unlocked configuration, the panel moves relative to the frame along a plane substantially parallel to a longitudinal axis of the first or second surfaces of the frame. In the locked configuration, each of the first and second sealing systems separately prevent movement of the panel relative to the frame along the plane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2010
    Assignee: Speyer Door and Window, Inc.
    Inventors: William Kip Speyer, Jonathan D. Thielmann, Robert E. Pruss
  • Patent number: 7685774
    Abstract: A closing system for moving a sealing system between an unlocked configuration and a locked configuration includes first and second inner control members and first and second outer control members. The sealing system connects a panel to a frame and includes an anchor disposed between first and second opposing docking collars. The first and second inner control members are respectively connected to the first and second docking collars, and the first and second outer control members are respectively disposed proximate to the first and second inner control members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2010
    Assignee: Speyer Door and Window, Inc.
    Inventor: Jonathan D. Thielmann
  • Patent number: 7665245
    Abstract: A combined sealing system for use with a combination of a panel and a frame includes a first sealing system and a second sealing system. The first sealing system is positioned within a first side of the frame, and the second sealing system is positioned within a second side of the frame separate from the first side of the frame. The first and second sealing systems have a locked configuration and an unlocked configuration upon the panel being positioned within the frame. The panel pivots relative to the frame, and the first sealing system is a reciprocal motion sealing system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2010
    Assignee: Speyer Door and Window, Inc.
    Inventors: William Kip Speyer, Jonathan D Thielmann, Robert E Pruss
  • Patent number: 7627987
    Abstract: A combined sealing system and seal activation system for use with a double door/window system having a first panel and a second panel includes a first sealing system and a first seal activation system. The first sealing system is positioned within a meeting stile of the first panel, and the first seal activation system activates the first sealing system. The first sealing activation system is also positioned within a meeting stile of the second panel and includes a movable member configured to engage the first sealing system. The first sealing system includes a movable member, and movable member of the first sealing system is caused to move towards the second panel by the first sealing system being engaged by the movable member of the first seal activation system moving towards the first panel. The first panel and the second panel separately pivot relative to a frame surrounding the double door/window system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 8, 2009
    Assignee: Speyer Door and Window, Inc.
    Inventors: Jonathan D Thielmann, Robert E Pruss
  • Patent number: 7584825
    Abstract: A sealing device for an elevator door includes a doorway member, doors, a movable member, a push-down mechanism and a sealing mechanism. The doorway member is provided for a gate. The doors open or close along the doorway member. The movable member is set horizontally and provided to be movable in a vertical direction in the doorway member, and it is urged upwards by an urging unit. The push-down mechanism pushes down the movable member against the force of the urging unit just before the doors are closed. The sealing mechanism is kept non-contact with the doors while they are moving, and seals the gap between the doors and the doorway member as it is brought into contact with upper section of the doors when the movable member is pushed down by the push-down mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 8, 2009
    Assignee: Toshiba Elevator Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Shin Murakami, Toru Kinoshita
  • Publication number: 20090151259
    Abstract: A combined sealing system for connecting a first panel having a sash to a frame includes first, second, and third sealing systems. The first panel is within and movable relative to the frame, comprising: The first sealing system is configured to engage a first portion of the sash with a first portion of the frame. The second sealing system is configured to engage a second portion of the sash with a second portion of the frame. The third sealing system is configured to engage a meeting rail of the first panel with a meeting rail of a second panel within the frame. The first panel is movable between at least an open position and a completely closed position. Prior to the first panel being in the completely closed position, engagement of the first sealing system begins and drives engagement of at least one of the second and third sealing systems.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 25, 2009
    Publication date: June 18, 2009
    Applicant: SPEYER DOOR AND WINDOW, INC.
    Inventors: W. Kip Speyer, Jonathan D. Thielmann, Bryan D. Dervarics, Don S. Solerno, Robby A. Marsh
  • Patent number: 7260915
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for installing and adjusting a door seal device on a door leaf for the purpose of sealing off a lower door gap, the door seal device having at least one trigger on the hinge side and/or lock side and the door seal device initially being installed in such a way that the trigger has a greater projection than necessary and the door is then closed, an axial displacement of the trigger with respect to a transmission element connected to the latter occurring as a result of a floor contact pressure of a seal profile that exceeds a reference value, which leads to self-adjustment of the extent of the projection of the trigger, and the trigger then remaining in this adjusted position when the door is reopened.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2007
    Assignee: Firma F. Athmer
    Inventors: Carl-Julius Cronenberg, Jenö Faflek
  • Patent number: 6776423
    Abstract: A device for sealing a gap between a door and a floor or between a window and a window frame comprises a deformable sealing element that seals the gap when the door or window is closed, and an L-shaped activation rail attached to the sealing element and having a vertical shank and a horizontal shank. The sealing element is attached at a free end of the horizontal shank. The activation rail engages with a door frame, or window frame. The activation rail is pivoted when the door or window is being closed and causes the sealing element to engage the floor or window frame. There is an attachment rail for affixing the sealing element to a door or window and arranged on a first side wall of the attachment rail. The attachment rail has an L-shaped cross section, and the sealing element is arranged between the activation rail and a second side wall of the attachment rail. The activation rail is joined to an upper end of an upright-standing shank of the attachment rail.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2004
    Assignee: Ernst Keller GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventor: Detlev Guht
  • Publication number: 20040010973
    Abstract: An automatic sweep for a sliding door includes a seal member that is coupled to a housing at the bottom end of the door for movement between a raised position when the door is open and a lowered position when the door is closed, in which the seal member provides an acoustical seal for the gap that would otherwise exist at the bottom of the door. The sweep is actuated by an over-centre linkage that co-operates with an abutment adjacent the door opening. As the door reaches its closed position, the linkage is displaced from a normal extended configuration to an angled configuration, which laterally displaces an operating rod connected to a leaf-spring that then presses down on the seal member to move the member to its lowered position. When the door is opened, the over-centre linkage is moved back to its extended configuration, the rod is displaced in the opposite direction, and the leaf-spring raises the seal member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 22, 2002
    Publication date: January 22, 2004
    Applicant: TK Canada Limited
    Inventors: Stefano Lio, Zoran Baic, Terry Woodside, Leonoard Pate
  • Patent number: 6266924
    Abstract: A multi-finger door frame seal which results in reduced hinge bind and which creates a predetermined sound upon opening of the door is disclosed. The frame seal is mounted on the stop on the hinge jamb, while on the rabbett on the lock jamb thereby reducing hinge bind during closing of the door. Use of the multi-finger frame seal according to certain embodiments results in a generation of a predetermined sound upon opening of the door. Also disclosed is a security seal system for use adjacent the bottom of the door. The security seal includes a flap which may be either gravity-actuated or spring-actuated. In spring-actuated embodiments, a cam forces the security flap downward into the closed position as the door is closed. While in gravity-actuated embodiments, closing of the door results in gravity causing the security flap to move downward into the closed position where it is maintained while the door is closed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 31, 2001
    Inventor: Robert Rissone
  • Patent number: 6250016
    Abstract: A partition system includes a freestanding partition system having a pocket-defining partition, and a pocket door slidably supported on the partition system for movement into and out of the pocket. The door includes a door frame having a bottom section defining a cavity that opens downwardly, and a stiff plate-shaped light seal is operably positioned in the cavity for vertical movement by gravity between different positions as the light seal engages and rides along a floor surface. The door includes an adjustable door frame having a rectangular shape with generally square corners and straight sides, but a trailing stile of the door frame is longitudinally adjustable such that, when adjusted, the rectangular shape changes to an orthogonal shape where at least one of the sides of the door frame is angularly distorted from the rectangular shape. This allows the door frame to be adjusted to better fit a door opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2000
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2001
    Assignee: Steelcase Development Inc.
    Inventor: Donald P. Gravel
  • Patent number: 6112467
    Abstract: A device at a bulkhead door (5) or a similar element for closing an opening edge in a ship, and which is actuatably movable to form a seal between peripheral edge of the door and a surrounding opening edge. A sealing function exhibiting at least along one horizontal edge area of the door extending sealing portion (19) connected with the door sheet (9) or above situated deck area being supported movable essentially along the closing plane of the door sheet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 1994
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2000
    Inventors: Tore Bark, Kenneth Johansson
  • Patent number: 6112466
    Abstract: Operable partitions arrangements having operable seal mechanisms such that a seal can be created, when so desired, between the panel and a surface such as a floor, a ceiling, a wall, other panels, or other structures located adjacent the panel. The invention provides a seal mechanism which operates to actuate a seal member against the surface and operates to withdraw the bias of seal member from the surface thereby releasing the seal made with the surface. The invention provides a partition including a panel having an interior, a seal member moveable with respect to the panel, a rotatable cam housed in the interior of the panel, and a connector extending between the seal member and the cam, whereby rotation of the cam in a first direction moves the seal member away from the panel to a first position and rotation of the cam in a second direction moves the seal member toward the panel to a second position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 1997
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2000
    Assignee: Hufcor, Inc.
    Inventors: Garrick D. S. Smith, Oliver M. Julien
  • Patent number: 6082047
    Abstract: A draft strip device for a door includes a channel support section which is fixed at a base of the door. A movable part is mounted in the channel support section. The movable part is movable towards and away from the floor under the door. At least one weather strip seal is supported by the movable part and rests on the floor when the movable part is lowered. A pushing element is at one end of the movable part. The pushing element is intended to be engaged with a respective doorjamb to bring about a lowering of the movable part and the resting on the floor of the weather strip seal when the door is closed. At least one adjusting element is provided to adjust a position of the movable part. A first brace and a first attachment slide and an adjusting slide are provided. The first brace is connected at its ends to the first attachment slide, which is inserted and can be moved longitudinally in the support section, and to the adjusting slide, which is inserted and can be moved longitudinally in the movable part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 1997
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2000
    Inventors: Aldo Comaglio, Caterina Vezzola
  • Patent number: 6058655
    Abstract: A partition system includes a freestanding partition system having a pocket-defining partition, and a pocket door slidably supported on the partition system for movement into and out of the pocket. The door includes a door frame having a bottom section defining a cavity that opens downwardly, and a stiff plate-shaped light seal is operably positioned in the cavity for vertical movement by gravity between different positions as the light seal engages and rides along a floor surface. The door includes an adjustable door frame having a rectangular shape with generally square corners and straight sides, but a trailing stile of the door frame is longitudinally adjustable such that, when adjusted, the rectangular shape changes to an orthogonal shape where at least one of the sides of the door frame is angularly distorted from the rectangular shape. This allows the door frame to be adjusted to better fit a door opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 1998
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2000
    Assignee: Steelcase Development Inc.
    Inventor: Donald P. Gravel
  • Patent number: 6009669
    Abstract: An aircraft door adapted to substantially seal with a door frame. The aircraft door is provided with an edge portion which is formed to engage the door frame. The edge portion has a sealed position wherein the edge portion is engaged with the door frame. The edge portion further has an unsealed position wherein the edge portion is spaced from the door frame. The aircraft door is further provided with a substantially rigid door body and an elastic portion interposed between the door body and the edge portion. The elastic portion is selectively expandable and compressible for permitting movement of the edge portion between the sealed and unsealed positions. The aircraft door is further provided with an actuator device which mechanically couples the door body with the edge portion for selectively moving the edge portion between the sealed and unsealed positions. The actuator device comprises a shape memory metal material having a predetermined transition temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2000
    Assignee: Northrop Grumman Corporation
    Inventors: Andrew Peter Jardine, Heinrich Gerhardt, Arun Robert Palusamy, Raymond David Gomez
  • Patent number: 5675935
    Abstract: Disclosed is a door sealing mechanism for sealing specifically the horizontal gaps between bottom rail and sill and between top rail and lintel. The door sealing mechanism comprises a sealing member including a flexible, elongated blocking portion having a length greater than the height of the horizontal gap. A retractable mounting piece is used to mount the sealing member thereon and which is retractable when the sealing member is subject to an external force. An elastic member as a spring is coupled to the retractable mounting piece, which exerts a force on the sealing member when the retractable mounting piece is in retracted position and also allows the retractable mounting piece to restore to original position after the external force on the sealing member is removed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 5, 1995
    Date of Patent: October 14, 1997
    Inventor: Chen-Yi Lin
  • Patent number: 5577349
    Abstract: A sealing system for sealing the periphery of a door relative to a frame. The sealing system includes a multi point finger seal having at least three fingers of differing height and spacing so that a first finger may contact the door and contact of the first finger and s second finger is precluded. A second finger is sized and spaced from a third finger so that a free edge of the second finger abuts the base of the third finger. A security seal is located at the bottom of the door and includes a security flap biased into the door, wherein a cam on the frame engages the flap upon closure of the door to urge the security flap toward the floor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 1994
    Date of Patent: November 26, 1996
    Inventor: Robert D. Rissone
  • Patent number: 5425205
    Abstract: A refrigerator includes a body forming a refrigeration compartment (for cooling or freezing). The compartment has an access opening closed by a pair of side-by-side doors that are hinged adjacent opposite vertical edges of the opening. Each door includes a frame and a slide mounted in a free edge of the slide for horizontal sliding movement. When the doors are being closed, the slides engage displacement surfaces on the body which pull the slides partially out of the frame so that resilient packing members carried by the slides are moved into contact with one another to create an air seal along a vertical interface between the two doors. A magnet on the body attracts metal plates carried by the slides to hold the doors closed. Keeper members can be mounted on the body for yieldably engaging grooves formed in the slides for aiding in holding the doors closed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 1993
    Date of Patent: June 20, 1995
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Jae-Kook Ha
  • Patent number: 4528775
    Abstract: A sealing means for a door lacking a threshold comprises a lath of resilient material, which with a substantially plane main portion is attached to the lower edge of door leaf. A head, enlarged with respect to the main portion, is provided with sealing ridges and may be bent in relation to the attachment of the lath, so the ridges will be forced towards the floor. An actuating member, comprising a longitudinally compressible leaf spring, is fitted between the lower edge of the door leaf and the head of the lath, so it extends outside the vertical hinge edge of the door leaf. Just before the door reaches its closed position the leaf spring contacts the door frame, and will then force the portion of the head adjacent to the hinge edge downwards. During the terminal portion of the closing movement the friction between the floor and the downwardly turned portions of the ridges will "roll" the head to full contact with the floor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 1983
    Date of Patent: July 16, 1985
    Assignee: Ingemanssons Ingenjorsbyra AB
    Inventor: Stefan Einarsson
  • Patent number: 4519165
    Abstract: A sealing device for the bottom of a door comprises a first inverted U-shaped sectional bar (10) which extends along the bottom of a door (1), is firmly secured thereto and contains a control mechanism. A vertically movable second inverted U-shaped sectional bar (14,15) carrying a sealing strip (17) of profiled rubber is accommodated in a lower rectangular chamber formed in the first sectional bar by a horizontal partition wall (11) which extends transversely through the first sectional bar.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 1984
    Date of Patent: May 28, 1985
    Assignee: F. Athmer
    Inventors: Dieter-Julius Cronenberg, Jeno Faflek
  • Patent number: 4020595
    Abstract: A flat, hollow, vertically elongated door panel has an open bottom. A movable piece is located inside the panel and can move up or down through the bottom. Horizontal bottom pieces are attached to the movable piece and both the bottom and movable pieces are spring-loaded downwardly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 1976
    Date of Patent: May 3, 1977
    Assignee: The Raymond Lee Organization, Inc.
    Inventor: James E. Duncan
  • Patent number: 3968597
    Abstract: This disclosure deals with a novel closure seal embodying the compression of a region of a tubular member adjacent a door mounting edge during closure of the door, to pump air into a communicating region of the member disposed along the bottom edge of the door, to expand the same into a seal upon total closure of the door.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 1972
    Date of Patent: July 13, 1976
    Assignee: Bolt Beranek and Newman, Inc.
    Inventor: Parker W. Hirtle