Patents by Inventor James W. Meeks
James W. Meeks has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).
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Patent number: 11346146Abstract: A threshold assembly for use with an entryway disposed within an aperture of a structure, which has an exterior and an interior and includes a door panel moveable between open and closed positions, includes a sill and a rail. A rail is rotatably supported above the upper sill surface between an initial position when the door panel is in the open position, and a second position different from the initial position when the door panel is in the closed position. A biasing member is disposed between the upper sill surface of the sill and the rail to bias the rail from the second position toward the initial position.Type: GrantFiled: September 11, 2020Date of Patent: May 31, 2022Assignee: Quanex Homeshield, LLCInventor: James W. Meeks
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Patent number: 11346145Abstract: A threshold assembly for use with an entryway disposed within an aperture of a structure, which has an exterior and an interior and includes a door panel moveable between open and closed positions, includes a sill and a rail. A rail is rotatably supported above the upper sill surface between an initial position when the door panel is in the open position, and a second position different from the initial position when the door panel is in the closed position. A biasing member is disposed between the upper sill surface of the sill and the rail to bias the rail from the second position toward the initial position.Type: GrantFiled: September 11, 2020Date of Patent: May 31, 2022Assignee: Quanex Homeshield, LLCInventor: James W. Meeks
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Patent number: 10801250Abstract: A threshold assembly for use with an entryway disposed within an aperture of a structure, which has an exterior and an interior and includes a door panel moveable between open and closed positions, includes a sill and a rail. A rail is rotatably supported above the upper sill surface between an initial position when the door panel is in the open position, and a second position different from the initial position when the door panel is in the closed position. A biasing member is disposed between the upper sill surface of the sill to bias the rail from the second position toward the initial position. A protrusion extends from the sill towards the rail, with the protrusion configured to rotatably support the rail and configured to prevent the biasing member from rotating the rail beyond the initial position.Type: GrantFiled: August 31, 2018Date of Patent: October 13, 2020Assignee: Quanex Homeshield, LLCInventor: James W. Meeks
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Patent number: 10494857Abstract: A threshold assembly is used with an entryway system disposed within an aperture of a structure. The threshold assembly includes a sill extending along an axis between exterior and interior sides. The sill at least partially defines a sill channel between the exterior and interior sides which is adapted for accepting a fluid. The threshold assembly includes a rail coupled to and disposed above the sill base. The rail has a drainage wall adjacent the exterior side and at least partially defining the sill channel. The rail at least partially defines a rail channel between the exterior and interior sides, and above the sill channel, which is adapted for accepting the fluid. The rail defines a channel passageway. The drainage wall defines a drainage passageway. The rail channel, the channel passageway, the sill channel, and the drainage passageway at least partially define a drainage plane.Type: GrantFiled: October 11, 2017Date of Patent: December 3, 2019Assignee: Quanex Homeshield, LLCInventor: James W. Meeks
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Publication number: 20180371825Abstract: A threshold assembly for use with an entryway disposed within an aperture of a structure, which has an exterior and an interior and includes a door panel moveable between open and closed positions, includes a sill and a rail. A rail is rotatably supported above the upper sill surface between an initial position when the door panel is in the open position, and a second position different from the initial position when the door panel is in the closed position. A biasing member is disposed between the upper sill surface of the sill to bias the rail from the second position toward the initial position. A protrusion extends from the sill towards the rail, with the protrusion configured to rotatably support the rail and configured to prevent the biasing member from rotating the rail beyond the initial position.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 31, 2018Publication date: December 27, 2018Inventor: James W. Meeks
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Patent number: 10077593Abstract: A threshold assembly for use with an entryway disposed within an aperture of a structure, which has an exterior and an interior and includes a door panel moveable between open and closed positions, includes a sill and a rail. A rail is rotatably supported above the upper sill surface between an initial position when the door panel is in the open position, and a second position different from the initial position when the door panel is in the closed position. A biasing member is disposed between the upper sill surface of the sill to bias the rail from the second position toward the initial position. A protrusion extends from the sill towards the rail, with the protrusion configured to rotatably support the rail and configured to prevent the biasing member from rotating the rail beyond the initial position.Type: GrantFiled: November 7, 2016Date of Patent: September 18, 2018Assignee: QUANEX HOMESHIELD LLCInventor: James W. Meeks
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Publication number: 20180100345Abstract: A threshold assembly is used with an entryway system disposed within an aperture of a structure. The threshold assembly includes a sill extending along an axis between exterior and interior sides. The sill at least partially defines a sill channel between the exterior and interior sides which is adapted for accepting a fluid. The threshold assembly includes a rail coupled to and disposed above the sill base. The rail has a drainage wall adjacent the exterior side and at least partially defining the sill channel. The rail at least partially defines a rail channel between the exterior and interior sides, and above the sill channel, which is adapted for accepting the fluid. The rail defines a channel passageway. The drainage wall defines a drainage passageway. The rail channel, the channel passageway, the sill channel, and the drainage passageway at least partially define a drainage plane.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 11, 2017Publication date: April 12, 2018Inventor: James W. Meeks
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Publication number: 20170058592Abstract: A threshold assembly for use with an entryway disposed within an aperture of a structure, which has an exterior and an interior and includes a door panel moveable between open and closed positions, includes a sill and a rail. A rail is rotatably supported above the upper sill surface between an initial position when the door panel is in the open position, and a second position different from the initial position when the door panel is in the closed position. A biasing member is disposed between the upper sill surface of the sill to bias the rail from the second position toward the initial position. A protrusion extends from the sill towards the rail, with the protrusion configured to rotatably support the rail and configured to prevent the biasing member from rotating the rail beyond the initial position.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 7, 2016Publication date: March 2, 2017Applicant: Quanex CorporationInventor: James W. Meeks
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Patent number: 9562387Abstract: A door bottom system is used with an entryway system having a door panel movable between open and closed positions. The door bottom system includes a door sweep movable with the door panel between first and second positions corresponding with the open and closed positions, respectively. The door bottom system includes a threshold assembly including a sill that defines a channel adapted for accepting a fluid. The threshold assembly includes a seal extending downwardly toward the sill to a distal end and movable between initial and sealed positions. The door sweep selectively engages and moves the seal from the initial position in the first position to the sealed position in the second position. The seal extends over and covers the channel in the initial position. The seal at least partially uncovers the channel in the sealed position such that the distal end of the seal is positioned above the channel.Type: GrantFiled: April 24, 2015Date of Patent: February 7, 2017Assignee: QUANEX HOMESHIELD LLCInventor: James W. Meeks
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Patent number: 9487992Abstract: A threshold assembly for an entryway system includes a sill presenting an upper sill surface, and a rail coupled to and disposed above the upper sill surface. The rail is movable between an initial and second position. The rail presents a lower rail surface facing the upper sill surface and has first and second retaining arms extending from the lower rail surface toward the upper sill surface to a distal retention end of the first and second retaining arms. The distal retention ends define a retaining width (W1) therebetween. The first retaining arm, the lower rail surface, and the second retaining arm collectively define a retention pocket. The threshold assembly includes a biasing member comprising a first portion disposed in the retention pocket. The retention pocket has a width (W2) greater than the retaining width (W1) for retaining the first portion of the biasing member within the retention pocket.Type: GrantFiled: November 25, 2015Date of Patent: November 8, 2016Assignee: QUANEX CORPORATIONInventor: James W. Meeks
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Publication number: 20160215555Abstract: A sill assembly is used in a threshold system and includes a sill deck having first and second deck surfaces opposing one another and extending between first and second ends. The sill assembly further includes a sill base formed of a polymer and coupled with the sill deck continuously along the first deck surface between and to the first and second ends of the sill deck for supporting the sill deck between and at the first and second ends. A method of manufacturing the sill assembly includes the steps of providing the sill deck and depositing the polymer to form the sill base coupled with the sill deck along the first deck surface between the first and second ends of the sill deck.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 22, 2016Publication date: July 28, 2016Inventors: James W. Meeks, Scott M. Fetting
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Publication number: 20160145931Abstract: A threshold assembly for an entryway system includes a sill presenting an upper sill surface, and a rail coupled to and disposed above the upper sill surface. The rail is movable between an initial and second position. The rail presents a lower rail surface facing the upper sill surface and has first and second retaining arms extending from the lower rail surface toward the upper sill surface to a distal retention end of the first and second retaining arms. The distal retention ends define a retaining width (W1) therebetween. The first retaining arm, the lower rail surface, and the second retaining arm collectively define a retention pocket. The threshold assembly includes a biasing member comprising a first portion disposed in the retention pocket. The retention pocket has a width (W2) greater than the retaining width (W1) for retaining the first portion of the biasing member within the retention pocket.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 25, 2015Publication date: May 26, 2016Inventor: James W. Meeks
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Publication number: 20150308180Abstract: A door bottom system is used with an entryway system having a door panel movable between open and closed positions. The door bottom system includes a door sweep movable with the door panel between first and second positions corresponding with the open and closed positions, respectively. The door bottom system includes a threshold assembly including a sill that defines a channel adapted for accepting a fluid. The threshold assembly includes a seal extending downwardly toward the sill to a distal end and movable between initial and sealed positions. The door sweep selectively engages and moves the seal from the initial position in the first position to the sealed position in the second position. The seal extends over and covers the channel in the initial position. The seal at least partially uncovers the channel in the sealed position such that the distal end of the seal is positioned above the channel.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 24, 2015Publication date: October 29, 2015Applicant: QUANEX CORPORATIONInventor: James W. Meeks
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Patent number: 8813427Abstract: A threshold assembly for use with an entryway system disposed within a structure having an exterior and an interior. The threshold assembly has a sill base extending between an exterior side for facing the exterior and an interior side for facing the interior. The threshold assembly has a rail disposed above the sill base and movable between initial and sealed positions. The threshold assembly has a drainage element disposed beneath the rail having a height relative to the sill base and sloping away from the interior side of the sill base such that the height decreases from the interior side to the exterior side for providing positive drainage of any fluid that may infiltrate beyond the rail from the threshold assembly at the exterior side. The threshold assembly has a biasing member coupled to the rail and contacting the drainage element and biasing the rail into the initial position.Type: GrantFiled: May 17, 2013Date of Patent: August 26, 2014Assignee: Quanex CorporationInventor: James W. Meeks
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Publication number: 20130305610Abstract: A threshold assembly for use with an entryway system disposed within a structure having an exterior and an interior. The threshold assembly has a sill base extending between an exterior side for facing the exterior and an interior side for facing the interior. The threshold assembly has a rail disposed above the sill base and movable between initial and sealed positions. The threshold assembly has a drainage element disposed beneath the rail having a height relative to the sill base and sloping away from the interior side of the sill base such that the height decreases from the interior side to the exterior side for providing positive drainage of any fluid that may infiltrate beyond the rail from the threshold assembly at the exterior side. The threshold assembly has a biasing member coupled to the rail and contacting the drainage element and biasing the rail into the initial position.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 17, 2013Publication date: November 21, 2013Inventor: James W. Meeks
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Patent number: 8555551Abstract: A door assembly for disposition in a building includes a vertical member, a weather strip adjacent the vertical member, and a door selectively moveable to be adjacent the weather strip. A threshold extends below the door and the vertical member extends upwardly from a lower end and a corner pad is mounted to the lower end. The corner pad includes a base surface abutting the threshold, a first edge surface extending upwardly from the base surface between the vertical member and the weather strip, and a lower reservoir surface extending upwardly from the first edge surface. The lower reservoir surface extends inwardly into the corner pad defining a reservoir between the vertical member and the weather strip. The corner pad includes a second reservoir surface extending angularly from said lower reservoir surface for preventing the water from splashing out of said reservoir and into an interior of the building.Type: GrantFiled: June 25, 2012Date of Patent: October 15, 2013Assignee: Quanex CorporationInventors: James W. Meeks, Brian S. Hewitt
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Publication number: 20120324798Abstract: A door assembly for disposition in a building includes a vertical member, a weather strip adjacent the vertical member, and a door selectively moveable to be adjacent the weather strip. A threshold extends below the door and the vertical member extends upwardly from a lower end and a corner pad is mounted to the lower end. The corner pad includes a base surface abutting the threshold, a first edge surface extending upwardly from the base surface between the vertical member and the weather strip, and a lower reservoir surface extending upwardly from the first edge surface. The lower reservoir surface extends inwardly into the corner pad defining a reservoir between the vertical member and the weather strip. The corner pad includes a second reservoir surface extending angularly from said lower reservoir surface for preventing the water from splashing out of said reservoir and into an interior of the building.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 25, 2012Publication date: December 27, 2012Inventors: James W. Meeks, Brian S. Hewitt
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Patent number: 8240090Abstract: A door assembly for disposition in a building includes a vertical member, a weather strip adjacent the vertical member, and a door selectively moveable to be adjacent the weather strip opposite the vertical member. A threshold extends below the door and the vertical member extends upwardly from a lower end. A corner pad is mounted to the lower end of the vertical member. The corner pad includes a base surface abutting the threshold, a first edge surface extending upwardly from the base surface between the vertical member and the weather strip, and a lower reservoir surface extending upwardly from the first edge surface. The lower reservoir surface extends inwardly into the corner pad defining a reservoir between the vertical member and the weather strip. The corner pad includes a second reservoir surface extending angularly from said lower reservoir surface for preventing the water from splashing out of said reservoir and into an interior of the building.Type: GrantFiled: July 17, 2007Date of Patent: August 14, 2012Assignee: Quanex Building Products CorporationInventors: James W. Meeks, Brian S. Hewitt
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Patent number: 8127500Abstract: Entry systems that minimize water infiltration due to a wind driven rain. In one embodiment, the entry system includes a corner pad that includes an upper portion that seals against the weather strip when the door is closed and a lower portion that is spaced apart from the weather strip to form a gap between the lower portion and the weather strip. The lower portion seals against the door when the door is closed.Type: GrantFiled: April 3, 2007Date of Patent: March 6, 2012Assignee: Therma-Tru Corp.Inventors: James W. Meeks, Michael Braun
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Patent number: 7878559Abstract: An astragal assembly is disposed between doors of a double-door set mounted in a door frame of a building to seal between the doors. The astragal assembly includes an astragal attached to one of the doors and a lock block assembly slideable within the astragal. The astragal defines a channel and the lock block assembly includes a body slideably disposed in the channel. The lock block assembly includes a lift boot coupled to and resiliently extending from the body. The lock block assembly is slideable between an extended position and a retracted position. The lift boot includes a fin extending away from the body. The fin includes a first and second lateral portion spaced from each other and a primary portion extending from the first lateral portion to the second lateral portion for sealing against the door frame in the extended position to prevent elements from entering into the building.Type: GrantFiled: March 23, 2007Date of Patent: February 1, 2011Assignee: Quanex CorporationInventors: James W. Meeks, David C. Bryant