For Door Patents (Class 52/656.4)
  • Patent number: 6892506
    Abstract: The present invention provides a door with an adjustable height and an adjustable width. The door of the invention comprises a central unit, a bottom unit overlapping with the central unit to define a bottom overlapping region, a side unit overlapping with the central unit to define a side overlapping region, and a corner unit overlapping with the side unit and with the bottom unit. The height of the door may be adjusted by changing the size of the bottom overlapping region. The width of the door may be adjusted by changing the size of the side overlapping region. The corner unit is attached to the bottom unit and to the side unit in a manner ensuring that the shape of the door as a whole is rectangular at any height and width to which the door is adjusted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2005
    Assignee: Mifalei Karmiel Ltd.
    Inventor: Avi Skublevitz
  • Patent number: 6860078
    Abstract: A method of providing precut trim pieces for a structural sliding door includes a vertical trim piece with one end that fits over a rail lip of a vertical rail, instead of under the rail lip. The rail lip terminates a trim extension of the vertical rail. Attaching the vertical trim piece over the rail lip enables the vertical trim piece to have horizontal adjustment relative to the trim extension. The manufacturer is able to supply precut lengths of horizontal and angled trim pieces, because the vertical trim piece may be horizontally adjusted to compensate for an out-of-square door.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2005
    Assignee: Plyco Corporation
    Inventor: Alan C. Geisthardt
  • Patent number: 6851244
    Abstract: A closure assembly is provided that includes first and second intersecting members such as a rail and stile. The rail and stile are engaged with one another forming a butt joint, preferably a corner. Male and female keys are respectively secured to the rail and stile with the keys forming a dovetail interlocking relationship with complimentary tapered surfaces. A fastener is received by the keys to expand the tapered surfaces forcing the rail and stile to be drawn into further engagement with one another at the butt joint. The interlocking tapered surfaces produce a stronger joint and eliminate any gap that might result at the joint as the threaded fastener is installed. The door is assembled by securing the male key to the rail. The stile is aligned with the rail and the second key is inserted into a pocket in the stile. The male and female keys are interlocked and a fastening element is installed into the keys to expand the keys and draw the rail and stile into further engagement with one another.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 8, 2005
    Assignee: Masco Corporation
    Inventor: Kevin Vilhauer
  • Patent number: 6829864
    Abstract: A hinged protective cover for protecting a door threshold during construction or modification of a building or its contents. The cover is attached to a horizontal surface such as a building floor and covers the door threshold to prevent damage from foot traffic, contaminants and grit materials which may become lodged in the threshold. The hinge allows positioning of the protective cover to permit door closure while remaining attached to the floor. This leaves the cover in place for repositioning to the protecting position when the door is reopened and serves as an affirmative reminder to accomplish same.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2004
    Inventors: John Robert Mitchell, David Joseph Thum
  • Patent number: 6807783
    Abstract: A window frame molding system with removeable and interchangeable moldings of the present invention provide an organizational system which can be used to install, change, and remove window frame moldings while not damaging the window frame itself. For a rectangular installation, the entire structure can consist of four straight pieces of metal, plastic, synthetics, or wood, as mounting members, with the ends either flat or cut angularly at 45°, as the base of the structure. Further, four decorative moldings and four junction pieces of metal, plastic, synthetics, or wood, interfit with the mounting member in a configuration with the moldings being slide locked into place and the junction pieces securing the decorative moldings in place. Because of the variety of materials which can be used to make the window frame moldings, they are both inexpensive and easy to manufacture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 26, 2004
    Inventor: Han-Sen Lee
  • Publication number: 20040187427
    Abstract: The present invention provides a door with an adjustable height and an adjustable width. The door of the invention comprises a central unit, a bottom unit overlapping with the central unit to define a bottom overlapping region, a side unit overlapping with the central unit to define a side overlapping region, and a cornet unit overlapping with the side unit and with the bottom unit. The height of the door may be adjusted by changing the size of the bottom overlapping region. The width of the door may be adjusted by changing the size of the side overlapping region. The corner unit is attached to the bottom unit and to the side unit in a manner ensuring that the shape of the door as a whole is rectangular at any height and width to which the door is adjusted.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 24, 2003
    Publication date: September 30, 2004
    Applicant: Mifalei Etz Karmiel Ltd.
    Inventor: Avi Skublevitz
  • Publication number: 20040187428
    Abstract: A door stile structure utilizing a pair of skins. An elongated member extends between at least a portion of the pair of skins. The elongated member includes an outer surface having a pair of ridges with a recessed portion therebetween. The ridges lie in a plane which intersects the edge of the door. The elongated member may lie flush with the edges of the skins forming the door or be imbedded within the skins to lock the elongated member into the door structure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 28, 2003
    Publication date: September 30, 2004
    Inventors: Mark Ballantyne, Douglas Smith, Grant Bennett
  • Publication number: 20040177585
    Abstract: An industrial door assembly is disclosed comprising a rigid internal frame having first and second sides; a door capping attached to edges of the rigid internal frame, the door capping providing generally parallel faces generally parallel to the first and second sides; side panels attached to the generally parallel faces of the door capping generally parallel to the first and second sides of the rigid internal frame; and synthetic insulating material injected within the rigid internal frame and bonding the side panels together. A method of assembling this industrial door assembly is also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 10, 2003
    Publication date: September 16, 2004
    Inventor: Robert M. Vermette
  • Publication number: 20040172893
    Abstract: A sheet metal enclosure containing a thickness of Styrofoam Insulating material designed to slide over the plywood panel on attic stairways. A rubber seal is placed on the perimeter of the back side of the panel creating a seal between the living area and attic space reducing air transfer between the two spaces. The Styrofoam provides an amount of insulation reducing temperature transfer between the two spaces. The sheet metal panel provides for the containment of the insulating material and mounting surface for the rubber seal and reduces warping of the attic stairway plywood panel because it is held rigid within the confines of the metal enclosure containing the Styrofoam. The closure springs on the attic stairway provide the tension to hold the stairway closed and create a tight seal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 3, 2003
    Publication date: September 9, 2004
    Inventor: Michael Jim Hunter
  • Publication number: 20040163354
    Abstract: Frame structure made of steel for wide opening sliding closure with vertical opening, of the type of door with covering panel/sheet out of alignment with respect to closing and movement means, in which, at least the lower tubular profile, internally, forms an area containing the carriages, positioned toward the side of the exterior closure, with an opposite and adjacent area that has the sideways extension of the profile with a projecting surface with respect to said sliding means, said surface being provided along the upper side with a glass buffer edge and with a base in correspondence with which the spline is applied; and furthermore in which the said lower profile cooperates with an analogous upper guide profile that holds the relative and opposite edge of the glass, an upper profile equipped with hinges, on the opposite side of application of the pane, a sliding block, acts against a vertical wall of said upper profile.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 29, 2003
    Publication date: August 26, 2004
    Applicant: PALLADIO TRADING Srl
    Inventor: Giuseppe Esposito
  • Patent number: 6751924
    Abstract: A windowed sash of the type having a window pane supported in a window sash. The window sash includes of elongated profiled polymeric members interconnected by weld seams at joints therebetween. The window sash is adapted to be mounted in a frame. Holes are provided in contact with the weld seams interconnecting the elongated profiled polymeric extruded members for distributing, at least partially, stress sustained by the window pane and the window sash when subjected to shocks, so as to prevent at least one of the weld seams, the elongated profiled polymeric extruded members and the window pane from cracking.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 22, 2004
    Assignee: Portes Patio Resiver Inc.
    Inventor: Tetsuya Kobayashi
  • Patent number: 6745526
    Abstract: A fire retardant wooden door that prevents the spread of fire through the door during a fire. The fire retardant wooden door has at least one door panel connected to stiles and rails by tongue and groove joints, and the tongue and groove joints have intumescent material therein. Each of the tongue and groove joints includes a tongue section having the intumescent material along a distal edge of the tongue section which expands upon exposure to heat or fire to seal the tongue and groove joints in order to prevent the heat or fire from passing through the door during a fire. Each of the tongue sections includes an interior channel extending along the axis of the tongue section, and the interior channel extends into the door panel. The interior channel has the intumescent material embedded therein which expands upon exposure to heat or fire to further seal the tongue and groove joints in order to prevent the heat or fire from passing through the door during a fire.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2004
    Inventor: Enrico Autovino
  • Patent number: 6698156
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for constructing hollow metal frames having a grout filled interior is disclosed. An apparatus includes a substantially planar body having an upper and lower surface. The upper surface includes at least one grip. The lower surface includes a gasket and a number of protrusions. The protrusions are placed into holes on the hollow metal frame into which additional components such as hinges are to be added. Grout is added to the frame and allowed to harden. Once the grout is hardened, the grout guard is removed and air spaces are retained. Screws and other components are typically filled into the air spaces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 2, 2004
    Assignee: Habersham Metal Products Company
    Inventors: Wayne Quarrels, James Byrnes
  • Patent number: 6694696
    Abstract: The present invention is a method and kit for repairing a construction component that has a damaged portion. First, the damaged portion is removed from the construction component. Next, a durable portion is provided that is preferably comprised of a cellulosic/polymer composite material which is moisture, decay, and insect resistant. The durable portion preferably has about the same shape as the damaged portion. The durable portion is then connected to the construction component to replace the damaged portion. The materials for repairing the construction component may be provided in a single kit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2004
    Assignee: Burns, Morris & Stewart Limited Partnership
    Inventor: Richard C. Hagel
  • Patent number: 6694700
    Abstract: A fastener for use in forming a joint of a framework for a patio enclosure. The joint includes an end of an elongated first frame member fastened to a side of an elongated second frame member. The fastener includes a body having a first end and a second end defining an outer surface therebetween. The second end is adapted to fit in a hollow portion of the first frame member. The fastener further includes a plate extending outwardly from the body. The plate is adapted to be fastened to the side portion of the second frame member. A stop extends outwardly from the outer surface of the body. The stop provides for positioning of the fastener relative to the first frame member when the second end is positioned within the hollow portion of the first frame member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2004
    Inventor: Kraig D. Mackett
  • Patent number: 6679006
    Abstract: A refrigerator door has reinforcing corner brackets that structurally complete the corners of the door. The corner brackets are located at the door corners adjacent vertical and horizontal side walls of the outer door skin of the door. At least one reinforcing member such as a sheet or rectangular collar, for example, or preferably reinforcing cross brace members are connected to the corner brackets. To achieve this connection and restrict heat transfer through the door and or adjacent the inner liner or in-turned flange of the outer door skin, the corner brackets have connecting tab portions that extend into the cavity of the door away from one of the side walls of the door and spaced from the other side wall of the door. The connecting tab portion is also spaced from the outer skin sheet and the inner door liner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 20, 2004
    Assignee: Camco Inc.
    Inventors: Nedo Banicevic, Muc Dang
  • Patent number: 6672021
    Abstract: A door assembly allows one to easily and freely change a hinged side and an opening direction of a door when or after a resident moves into a house. Detachable inner frames having doorstop portions, flat portions, and locking nails are mounted to locking grooves in left and right vertical outer frames around spacers and a door main body is mounted to a heelpost side flat portion through hinges. By dividing a doorframe into the vertical outer frames and the inner frames, in order to change a hinged side of the door, the inner frames are pulled out from the vertical outer frames and inserted into the locking grooves in the vertical outer frames after changing orientation of the inner frames according to the hinged side or exchanging the inner frames for the inner frames suitable for the hinged side and the opening direction to thereby easily change the hinged side of the door main body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2004
    Assignees: Foris Corporation, Kaider Base Board Industry Company Limited
    Inventors: Mitsugi Kusano, Kimio Numaguchi, Norio Hidaka, Yasuhiro Takagi, Tetsuji Nagaoka, Nobuyuki Miyanaga
  • Patent number: 6647677
    Abstract: A window assembly that includes an outer end inner frame assemblies. The outer frame assembly has two horizontal frame members and two vertical frame members. The inner frame assembly includes two horizontal inner members that are slidably mounted to the horizontal frame members. The inner frame assembly also includes two vertical inner members that are mountable on the vertical frame members with fastener members. The outer frame assembly and the vertical and horizontal inner members sandwich or entrap a garage panel with an aperture and a transparent panel to define a window. The outer frame assembly includes a longitudinally and peripherally extending rib member with longitudinal cut-outs. The horizontal inner frame members include longitudinal slots that receive the rib member. Fasteners are used to mount the two vertical inner members to the two vertical frame members keeping the garage panel and the transparent panel sandwiched in place.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2003
    Inventor: Allen Berger, Jr.
  • Patent number: 6568137
    Abstract: The rigid, generally planar, rectangular first sheet, at least one rigid sheet spacer mounted along, so as to protrude from, a first long edge of the first sheet, and a generally “U”-shaped first channel formed along a second long edge of the first sheet, where the second long edge is opposite the first long edge. The first channel opens towards the sheet spacer so as to define a cavity therebetween and along the length of the first sheet. The first channel is sized so as to fit over, as an end cap on, an exposed long edge of a door frame member such as a door jamb or a center frame member of for example a double width door when so fitted, a distal side wall of the first channel, distal from the first sheet, is mated to a first side of the exposed long edge of the door frame member. The first channel includes a channel spacer protruding into the cavity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2003
    Inventor: Michael Alexander Ballantyne
  • Publication number: 20030009976
    Abstract: A decorative structure having the aesthetic advantages of a wooden raised panel-style appearance, which can be efficiently and accurately produced, and which includes metal layers to increase durability, security, fire-resistance, sound and thermal insulation and to decrease warpage. The structure comprises an innermost layer of a rigid material, a metal layer, preferably of aluminum, fixedly attached to each side of the innermost layer, and an outer wooden layer fixedly attached to the outer surface of each metal layer. One or both of the metal layers are at least partially exposed by patterned cutting of channels in one or both of the outer wooden layers using a standard router having a cutting bit, according to a desired pattern. The channels may be in the form of straight lines, curves, numbers, letters or specific designs. In a preferred embodiment, the structure comprises a door. Alternative embodiments include wall panels, table tops and other furniture items.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 10, 2001
    Publication date: January 16, 2003
    Inventors: Maurizio Hauser, Alberto Manevich
  • Patent number: 6505442
    Abstract: A refrigerator door has reinforcing corner brackets that structurally complete the comers of the door. The corner brackets are located at the door corners adjacent vertical and horizontal side walls of the outer door skin of the door. At least one reinforcing member such as a sheet or rectangular collar, or preferably reinforcing cross brace members are connected to the corner brackets. To achieve this connection and restrict heat transfer through the door and or adjacent the inner liner or in-turned flange of the outer door skin, the corner brackets have connecting tab portions that extend into the cavity of the door away from one of the side walls of the door and spaced from the other side wall of the door. The connecting tab portion is also spaced from the outer skin sheet and the inner door liner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2003
    Assignee: Camco Inc.
    Inventors: Nedo Banicevic, Muc Dang
  • Publication number: 20020190617
    Abstract: A refrigerator door has reinforcing corner brackets that structurally complete the corners of the door. The corner brackets are located at the door corners adjacent vertical and horizontal side walls of the outer door skin of the door. At least one reinforcing member such as a sheet or rectangular collar, for example, or preferably reinforcing cross brace members are connected to the corner brackets. To achieve this connection and restrict heat transfer through the door and or adjacent the inner liner or in-turned flange of the outer door skin, the corner brackets have connecting tab portions that extend into the cavity of the door away from one of the side walls of the door and spaced from the other side wall of the door. The connecting tab portion is also spaced from the outer skin sheet and the inner door liner.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 27, 2001
    Publication date: December 19, 2002
    Inventors: Nedo Banicevic, Muc Dang
  • Patent number: 6494001
    Abstract: Procedure for the installation of a landing door, in which a threshold module is mounted on the lower edge of a door opening of the elevator shaft, whereupon side posts are mounted at the edges of the opening and a lintel connecting the side posts as well as an overhead supporter for the suspension of the door panels are mounted in the upper part of the opening. The equally long side posts are mounted on top of the threshold module while the side posts are connected to each other by the lintel mounted on top of them. The overhead supporter is lifted up onto the lintel and fixed to the wall by its ends.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2000
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2002
    Assignee: Kone Corporation
    Inventors: Ari Ketonen, Jori Hägg, Harri Anttila
  • Publication number: 20020174610
    Abstract: An improved sidelight and transom entryway system able to meet stringent building codes in hurricane prone coastal regions and other regions is provided. The entryway system comprises a frame formed of a sill, a pair of vertical jambs, a head jamb, a transom mull below the head jamb, and at least one mull post extending upwardly from the sill to a top end attached to the transom mull. The mull post and transom mull define a door opening, at least one sidelight panel opening, and a transom opening. The mull post and transom mull have cores formed of a multiple ply truss that extends continuously from a position adjacent the outside edges to a position adjacent the inside edges of the mullions. The trusses may be formed of Laminated Veneer Lumber (LVL) or with plies of wooden material and at least one ply of non-wooden material such as plastic, composites, fiberglass, or metal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 24, 2001
    Publication date: November 28, 2002
    Applicant: Endura Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Joel S. Bennett, Victor T. Massey
  • Patent number: 6481179
    Abstract: A frame for supporting steel cladding panels of steel clad doors and doors formed therewith, the frames comprising a pair of jambs connected by headers and sills, each jamb comprising a molded channel of composite plastic material having within the channel integral bracing extending between the channel side walls.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2002
    Assignee: Royal Group Technologies Limited
    Inventor: Vic De Zen
  • Publication number: 20020162298
    Abstract: The present invention provides a building material derived from straw, such as rice straw, that has significantly improved fire-resistance properties over traditional cellulose-based materials. In one embodiment, the invention provides a method of fabricating a board from milled rice straw. The milled rice straw is blended with a binder to form a mixture. The mixture is then formed into a mat with sufficient size to achieve a predetermined board thickness and density. The mat is then pressed into the board. In another embodiment, the present invention provides a fire resistant board that includes milled rice straw, a resin binder, and a fire retardant material such as an organic phosphate, zinc borate, aluminum tribydrate, sodium silicate, or even rice hulls.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 4, 2001
    Publication date: November 7, 2002
    Inventors: Christopher S. Churchill, Charles V. Likes, Theodore J. Bauer
  • Patent number: 6449917
    Abstract: A suspended acoustical ceiling access panel system includes a door frame for supporting a standard ceiling tile and hanger assemblies in the form of pivot brackets that are pivotally attached at each of opposite sides of the door frame near one end of the frame. The pivot brackets are formed to be easily slid over standard ceiling grid members and releasably clamped to the grid members while pivotally supporting the door frame. The door frame is also provided with latch members at an end of the frame opposite from the end pivotally attached to the pivot brackets and ceiling grid members. The latch members can be manually positioned to engage a ceiling grid member when the access panel system is in a closed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2002
    Assignee: Sullivan Research & Development LLC
    Inventor: Thomas J. Sullivan, III
  • Patent number: 6430889
    Abstract: A finish mounted framed building element such as a window or doorway sidelight or the like is mounted in a space provided in rough framing structures in a wall, by inserting facing sheets, preferably of sheet metal, into the framing jambs up to a variable depth in slots provided at the perimeters of the door or window frame opening. The space between the sheets can be substantially confined as a foaming composition is injected and permitted to expand and cure in place. The foam locks the sheets to the framing jambs of the window or doorway sidelight, etc. This provides a wall panel with a correctly sized and correctly positioned internal opening, for example to receive a window frame or doorway sidelight or other insert structure. The invention also supports or reinforces the window or doorway generally, for example to support the hinged side of a door jamb adjacent to a door sidelight.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2002
    Assignee: Signature Door Co. Inc.
    Inventor: Dennis Eugene Nixon, Sr.
  • Publication number: 20020092258
    Abstract: A door assembly is disclosed that includes a latch-side stile with bores for accommodating one or more bolts that extend through the stile and into an adjacent doorjamb to secure door with respect to the doorjamb. A reinforcing plate is mounted on the inner edge of the latch-side stile with flared flanges extending into the stile bores to hold the plate in place and to make it more difficult to force the door open by kicking the door in the area of its latch and lock. A method of assembling a door including such a reinforcing plate is also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 11, 2002
    Publication date: July 18, 2002
    Inventor: Oded E. Rochman
  • Patent number: 6405506
    Abstract: A pre-hung door and door frame in combination with nesting door posts. Preferably, the door posts have a central channel extending into contact with a door jamb soffit and one of the door jamb stops. The header includes a header tab extending from a nailing flange into a area defined by the door jamb rabbet, face and back bends to provide a more rigid connection between the header and the door jamb. The header also includes a pair of door jamb tabs integral with the header for securing the header relative to the door jambs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2002
    Assignee: Ingersoll-Rand Company
    Inventor: Robert O. Ruff
  • Publication number: 20020069604
    Abstract: A composite frame member and a method for making the same. In one embodiment, the frame member is a door frame including a plurality of framing members, each including a core formed from a foamed or cellulosic material that includes a wall surface adapted to be mounted within a cavity formed in the wall of the house or other building with which the frame is to be used, and a door surface is opposed to the wall surface and is adapted to extend within the cavity. The core preferably includes a base member and a stop member mounted on the base member. Each framing member further includes a resilient shell, which, in some embodiments, may be snap-fit on, or adhesively bonded to, the core. A brickmold member is also disclosed, as are various methods for making the frame and brickmold members.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 27, 2001
    Publication date: June 13, 2002
    Inventor: Fred C. Canfield
  • Publication number: 20020059772
    Abstract: The present invention is a method and kit for repairing a construction component that has a damaged portion. First, the damaged portion is removed from the construction component. Next, a durable portion is provided that is preferably comprised of a cellulosic/polymer composite material which is moisture, decay, and insect resistant. The durable portion preferably has about the same shape as the damaged portion. The durable portion is then connected to the construction component to replace the damaged portion. The materials for repairing the construction component may be provided in a single kit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 19, 1999
    Publication date: May 23, 2002
    Inventor: RICHARD C. HAGEL
  • Patent number: 6378266
    Abstract: An improved doorjamb and brickmold is provided wherein an extruded thermoplastic molding and stop member is secured to wooden support members to define the doorjambs and mullions of a door and jamb assembly. The co-extruded plastic molding and stop members define both the stops of the assembly and the exposed decorative molding portion and also protect the wooden support members from exposure to the elements. A separate extruded extension adapts the structure for use with the wider opening in a modern thicker wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2002
    Inventor: Robert T. Ellingson
  • Publication number: 20020046532
    Abstract: A cladded door frame system protects exterior surfaces of door frame members from the elements. The system includes spaced left and right frame members orthogonally joined at upper portions thereof to a header, thus defining a door opening having exterior and interior sides. Each of the frame members includes a side jamb (or header) and a brickmold orthogonally extending along an exteriorly disposed surface of the side jamb (or header). The system also includes first, second and third cladding strips, each of which frictionally engages a respective frame member. Each of the cladding strips includes a U-shaped inner flange that engages three surfaces of one of the jambs (or header) and a U-shaped outer flange that engages three surfaces of one of the brickmolds. The inner flange is joined to the outer flanges at an orthogonal orientation. The inner flange includes a second leg that engages most of the surface area of a door jamb surface of the respective side jamb (or header).
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 24, 2001
    Publication date: April 25, 2002
    Inventor: Oded E. Rochman
  • Patent number: 6374551
    Abstract: A moveable structural reinforcement system is described including a moveable panel adapted to substantially close a building opening, the panel including variable shear load resistance means for regulating the shear stiffness of the building when the panel is in a closed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2002
    Assignee: Ei-Land Corporation
    Inventors: Kenneth T. Boilen, Arthur B. Richardson, John Hulls, Jean-Jacques Landry, Ralph C. Francis
  • Patent number: 6321505
    Abstract: A door comprising two metal panels and an internal core structure. The panels have their edges formed around a perimeter sub-frame of channel construction, the base of the channel being internally adjacent the respective edge of the door. Opposing edges of the panels are seam welded together to provide a flush finish, and the base of the channel is apertured to act as a heat sink and to allow weld gas to escape.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2001
    Assignee: Ingersoll-Rand Architectural Hardware Group Limited
    Inventors: Barry Kenneth Packman, Steven Knight
  • Patent number: 6311454
    Abstract: A door having a plurality of channel-shaped frame members encircling a core and being coupled to one another by interfitting dimples and projections at the confronting ends of adjacent frame members. On opposite sides of the core are panels having lips which are accommodated in grooves formed in the frame members. The components of the door may be assembled without the need for any tools and such components may be maintained in assembled condition without the use of separate fastening devices such as bolts, nails, screws, and the like, or any fixtures or measuring devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 1999
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2001
    Assignee: Globe Door, L.L.C.
    Inventor: John J. Kempel
  • Patent number: 6295779
    Abstract: A composite frame member and a method for making the same. In one embodiment, the frame member is a door frame including a plurality of framing members, each including a core formed from a foamed or cellulosic material that includes a wall surface adapted to be mounted within a cavity formed in the wall of the house or other building with which the frame is to be used, and a door surface is opposed to the wall surface and is adapted to extend within the cavity. The core preferably includes an elongate base member and an elongate stop member mounted on the base member in a parallel relationship to the base member. Each framing member further includes a resilient shell, which is preferably formed from a waterproof material, and which, in some embodiments, may be snap-fit on the core. A brickmold member is also disclosed, as well as various methods for making the invented frame and brickmold members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2001
    Inventor: Fred C. Canfield
  • Patent number: 6293060
    Abstract: A door frame has hinge and latch jambs extending from opposite ends of a header jamb. Each jamb has an inside section for extending into a doorway opening in a wall and having a molding section extending laterally outwardly from the respective inside section for overlying a face of the wall adjacent the doorway opening. Each molding section includes an inner end extending from the inside section, an outer face extending generally perpendicularly from the inner end and an outer free end extending generally perpendicularly from the outer face. A jamb securing and sealing flange is joined to a jamb. The flange has first and second end sections coupled by a centered section. The first second is substantially parallel to and affix to a inner surface of the outer face of one jamb. The second end section extends substantially parallel to the first end section and laterally outwardly beyond its outer free end.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 1999
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2001
    Assignee: Therma-Tru Technologies Incorporated
    Inventors: H. Smith McKann, Wendell Haney
  • Patent number: 6282851
    Abstract: A door frame comprises opposed door jambs and a door head, with the jambs and head each being formed from a metal section (6) of channel-shape having a base wall (8) which carries a door stop (12) and opposed side walls (10) of a width such that when the section (6) is applied to a door opening within a wall with plasterboard sheeting (16) on the wall around the opening, the opposed side walls (10) of the section (6) will overlap and lie closely adjacent to the outer surface of the plasterboard (16) with the edge of the plasterboard (16) being concealed with the interior of the section (6), the opposed side walls (10) being perforated to permit a skim coat of plaster to be applied over the side walls (10) and adjacent part of the palsterboard (16) to conceal the presence of the side walls. In one embodiment the metal section is formed from two components which engage with a friction fit to provide width-adjustment of the section to suit walls of different width.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2001
    Inventor: Ross James Beaton
  • Patent number: 6253507
    Abstract: A door frame clip is provided for interconnecting first and second door frame members when a longitudinal end of the first door frame member bears against a surface of the second door frame member at a portion of the surface which is adjacent to a longitudinal end of the second door frame member. The door frame clip comprises an apex, a first arm extending from the apex, and a second arm extending from the apex in a direction which is substantially orthogonal to the first arm. The second arm is significantly longer than the first arm to enable the second arm to reach the first door frame member when the apex engages an outside edge of the longitudinal end of the second door frame member. Also provided is a door frame system. The door frame system comprises a first leg member, a second leg member, a header, a first door frame clip, and a second door frame clip. The second leg member is substantially parallel to the first leg member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 1999
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2001
    Assignee: MDF, Inc.
    Inventor: Ralph A. Martino
  • Publication number: 20010001918
    Abstract: A pre-hung door and door frame in combination with nesting door posts. Preferably, the door posts have a central channel extending into contact with a door jamb soffit and one of the door jamb stops. The header includes a header tab extending from a nailing flange into a area defined by the door jamb rabbet, face and back bends to provide a more rigid connection between the header and the door jamb. The header also includes a pair of door jamb tabs integral with the header for securing the header relative to the door jambs.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 22, 2001
    Publication date: May 31, 2001
    Inventor: Robert O. Ruff
  • Patent number: 6233888
    Abstract: A closure assembly includes an outer frame, panel members disposed within the outer frame, slidable rail units, pivot linking units, and locking members. The outer frame has top and bottom frame members formed with slide grooves. Each of the slidable rail units includes an upper rail disposed between the top frame member and an upper edge portion of a respective one of the panel members, and a lower rail disposed between the bottom frame member and a lower edge portion of the respective one of the panel members. Each of the upper and lower rails is provided with a rolling ball unit which extends slidingly into the slide groove unit in a respective one of the top and bottom frame members. The pivot linking units connect the upper and lower rails to adjacent ones of the upper and lower edge portions of the panel members such that the panel members are pivotable relative to the upper and lower rails about vertical axes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2001
    Inventor: I-Shan Wu
  • Patent number: 6219979
    Abstract: A threshold assembly comprising a sill and a pair of lateral brackets which are upwardly extending and oppositely facing. Each lateral bracket is attached at the lower, outside part of each jamb of a door frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2001
    Inventor: Helmut Lohr
  • Patent number: 6216411
    Abstract: A frame for improved moisture, decay and insect resistance includes frame members each possessing a short treated lumber member joined to a longer untreated lumber member so that the length of the overall board achieves a desired length with an acceptable amount of distortion. The untreated member may be treated but the treatment is not so invasive as to impart a high degree of warping. The treated member may have more or less treatment depending on the amount of distortion which is acceptable. Top and bottom boards connect the frame members to form a door frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 1998
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2001
    Inventor: Paul Barnett
  • Patent number: 6199331
    Abstract: A sliding door assembly includes a door frame positioned in a structure opening. The door frame includes a roller track along a bottom portion. A fixed door panel may be positioned in the door frame. A sliding door panel is slidably positioned in the door frame and includes a sliding wood door sash, and a reinforced transparent panel carried by the sliding wood door sash. The sliding door panel further includes at least one roller extending outwardly from a bottom of the sliding wood door sash to engage the roller track. At least one shim or other vertical constraining member is mounted adjacent a top of the sliding door panel for vertically constraining the sliding door panel against upward movement when in a closed position so that the roller remains on the roller track despite hurricane force winds. At least one bracket may be connected to the door frame adjacent the bottom of the sliding door panel to laterally confine the sliding door panel despite hurricane force winds.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2001
    Assignee: Robert Hunt Corporation, USA
    Inventor: Daniel Hunt
  • Patent number: 6192638
    Abstract: A knockdown doorframe includes: a pair of jambs (1) respectively secured on a right and left vertical side wall (V) of a door entrance or doorway (O) by means of brackets (2) longitudinally pre-fixed on the right and left vertical side walls (V), each jamb (1) having a waterproof pad (3) cushioned on a bottom of the jamb (1), a lintel (4) horizontally secured on the top portion of each jamb (1) adjacent to a horizontal top wall (H) of the doorway to form an inversed U-shaped doorframe, and each jamb (1) and lintel (4) having a covering plate (5, 5a) covered thereon for shielding an aperture (A) between the doorframe and the wall (V, H) of the doorway (O) for decorative purpose.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 1998
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2001
    Inventor: Guo-Chi Wang
  • Patent number: 6192637
    Abstract: A moveable structural reinforcement system is described including a moveable panel, a metal frame structure connectable to the frame structure of a building opening, the frame structure including a top support member and lateral supports connected on a first end to the top support member, upper load members disposed on the top support member proximate the lateral supports, bottom load members disposed on the second ends of the lateral supports, and load transfer members disposed substantially diagonally on said panel and adapted to releasably engage the upper and lower load members. The load transfer members providing a substantially continuous load path when the panel is in a closed position and the building or structure is subjected to a lateral force.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 1999
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2001
    Inventors: Kenneth T. Boilen, Arthur B. Richardson
  • Patent number: 6185881
    Abstract: A fenestration product includes a door assembly having a door shiftable into and out of a closed position, at least one generally flat door jamb presenting an inner face that faces inwardly toward the door when the door is in the closed position and a generally oppositely facing outer face, and door hardware positioned along the inner face of the door jamb and configured to associate the door with the door jamb. The product further includes a substantially flat reinforcement plate secured flatly against the outer face of the door jamb. Moreover, the door hardware has at least a portion thereof that is securely fastened to the reinforcement plate so that movement of the hardware relative to the door jamb and reinforcement plate is prevented. A method of reinforcing a fenestration product in this manner is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 1999
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2001
    Assignee: Edward Wayne, Inc.
    Inventors: Ronald E. Olberding, David W. Allen
  • Patent number: 6170210
    Abstract: A continuous gear hinge, having extruded aluminum leaves and an extruded aluminum cap which holds the leaves together at meshed gear segments on the leaves, has the capacity to establish a seal between the door and hinge jamb to which it is attached. That seal derives from intumescent strips which lie in recesses that open out of the of the leaves. In the presence of a fire, the intumescent material, the strips of which extend the full length of the hinge, expands and bonds to the door and hinge jamb to not only seal the space between the two, but also to secure the door should the hinge lose its capacity to hold the door.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2001
    Assignee: C. Hager & Sons Hinge Manufacturing Company
    Inventor: Ronald J. Marts