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).

  • Patent number: 11346146
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2022
    Assignee: Quanex Homeshield, LLC
    Inventor: James W. Meeks
  • Patent number: 11346145
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2022
    Assignee: Quanex Homeshield, LLC
    Inventor: James W. Meeks
  • Patent number: 10801250
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 13, 2020
    Assignee: Quanex Homeshield, LLC
    Inventor: James W. Meeks
  • Patent number: 10494857
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2019
    Assignee: Quanex Homeshield, LLC
    Inventor: James W. Meeks
  • Publication number: 20180371825
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: August 31, 2018
    Publication date: December 27, 2018
    Inventor: James W. Meeks
  • Patent number: 10077593
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2018
    Assignee: QUANEX HOMESHIELD LLC
    Inventor: James W. Meeks
  • Publication number: 20180100345
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: October 11, 2017
    Publication date: April 12, 2018
    Inventor: James W. Meeks
  • Publication number: 20170058592
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: November 7, 2016
    Publication date: March 2, 2017
    Applicant: Quanex Corporation
    Inventor: James W. Meeks
  • Patent number: 9562387
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2017
    Assignee: QUANEX HOMESHIELD LLC
    Inventor: James W. Meeks
  • Patent number: 9487992
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2016
    Assignee: QUANEX CORPORATION
    Inventor: James W. Meeks
  • Publication number: 20160215555
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: January 22, 2016
    Publication date: July 28, 2016
    Inventors: James W. Meeks, Scott M. Fetting
  • Publication number: 20160145931
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: November 25, 2015
    Publication date: May 26, 2016
    Inventor: James W. Meeks
  • Publication number: 20150308180
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: April 24, 2015
    Publication date: October 29, 2015
    Applicant: QUANEX CORPORATION
    Inventor: James W. Meeks
  • Patent number: 8813427
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2014
    Assignee: Quanex Corporation
    Inventor: James W. Meeks
  • Publication number: 20130305610
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: May 17, 2013
    Publication date: November 21, 2013
    Inventor: James W. Meeks
  • Patent number: 8555551
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2013
    Assignee: Quanex Corporation
    Inventors: James W. Meeks, Brian S. Hewitt
  • Publication number: 20120324798
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: June 25, 2012
    Publication date: December 27, 2012
    Inventors: James W. Meeks, Brian S. Hewitt
  • Patent number: 8240090
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2012
    Assignee: Quanex Building Products Corporation
    Inventors: James W. Meeks, Brian S. Hewitt
  • Patent number: 8127500
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2012
    Assignee: Therma-Tru Corp.
    Inventors: James W. Meeks, Michael Braun
  • Patent number: 7878559
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2011
    Assignee: Quanex Corporation
    Inventors: James W. Meeks, David C. Bryant