COMBINATION SCREEN, STORM AND EXTERIOR ENTRY DOOR WITH INSERT

Abstract

The present invention discloses a door, preferably an exterior or entry door that swings outwardly, with a modular insert including movable screening and a glass panel that allows for seasonal use of the door and ready replacement of existing doors that have a standard glass insert or retrofitting of a door that has no insert at all.

Claims

1. An insert for a door suitable for use on the exterior of a structure, including: a. a door frame suitable for use in an outwardly opening manner; b. an insert suitable for retention with said frame; c. said insert further defining an opening that is able to allow ambient air flow past said frame to the interior of a structure including said door frame.

2. An exterior, outwardly opening door, comprising, a. a door frame defining an opening; b. an insert suitable for insertion with said opening defined in said door frame, said insert defining an opening and further comprising i. a first glass panel and a screen attached to said first glass panel; and ii. a first pair of opposing channels mounted to said the inner side walls of said insert in such a manner as to locate said first glass panel and said screen within the opening defined therein; whereby the exterior door is mounted in such a manner as to open outwardly and still provide for ambient air flow past said door when said glass panel is deployed in a first position.

3. The exterior outwardly opening door of claim 2, further comprising a. a second glass panel and a second pair of opposing channels mounted to the inner side walls of said insert in such a manner as to locate said second glass panel within the opening defined by said insert, said second glass panel being secured in a position so as to preclude the entry of ambient air through a portion of said opening defined by said insert, and b. said first panel being moveable within said first pair of opposing channels so as to cooperatively extend fully across said opening defined in said insert.

4. The exterior, outwardly opening door of claim 3 further comprising a variable, retractable screen that, in response to slidable movement of said first glass panel, is extended to cover a portion of the opening defined by said insert.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0011] FIG. 1 is a front plan and perspective, illustration showing a door and an insert capable of embodying the present invention.

[0012] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing an exterior door in accordance with the present invention.

[0013] FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing an insert in accordance with the present invention. FIG. 3a is a side view showing an insert in accordance with the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0014] Before embodiments of the present disclosure are described in detail, it is to be understood that the apparatus, methods and systems are not limited to specific methods, specific components, specific feature, specific systems or particular compositions. The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be, and is not, limiting. The term “exemplary” means “an example” or an “example of” and is not meant to convey a meaning of an ideal or a preferred embodiment or feature. The term “such as” is merely explanatory and indicative that any recited items are examples of what is covered by a stated feature or provision; it is not intended to restrict or to be restrictive.

[0015] Further, this disclosure is of components and features that can be used to perform the disclosed methods, apparatus or systems. When combinations, subsets, interactions, groups, etc. of such components are disclosed, even when reference is not explicitly made to all possible combinations or permutations, each is contemplated and described for all methods, apparatus and systems. This applies to all aspects of the disclosed invention, including method steps. Thus, if additional steps may be performed, it is understood that such additional steps may be performed with a specific disclosed embodiment or combination of embodiments.

[0016] FIG. 1 shows a standard exterior door in accordance with the present invention generally at 10. The door 12 is mounted in a frame indicated generally at 14. The frame 14 includes a heading 16, a hinge jamb 18, a latch jamb 20 and a threshold 22. The door 12 includes a top rail 25, a bottom rail 27, a hanging stile 29 and a latch stile 31. A door knob 33 is provided in the latch stile 31 that may include and cooperate with a latch/lock set as is known in the art. It will be appreciated that the door 12 is hung upon three hinges 36, 38 and 40 that are secured and operate as also known in the art. Further, the exterior door 12 is oriented so as to swing in an outward manner, as shown by the arrow 50. It should be understood that the door 12 may be constructed so as to “open” or “swing” in any desired manner, including in an inward direction as represented by the dotted line arrow 60 as shown in FIG. 1. The person of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that the present invention may be embodied in multiple door constructions, including, sliding doors, pocket doors, etc.

[0017] Yet further, the door 12 includes an insert indicated generally at 70, which includes a glass panel 72. The insert 70 is described in greater detail below, but the person of ordinary skill will recognize that entry or exterior doors with glass inserts are known in the art and conventionally used with or without a storm door (not shown). If a storm door is present, the door 12 necessarily opens in an inward direction as represented by the arrow 60. The mere presence of the storm door, which rests to the exterior of the door 12, requires such an operation of the entry door 12. However, as noted above, there are instances where an exterior door is preferable constructed so as to open to the exterior as represented by arrow 50? In such an instance, it is impossible to provide a conventional storm door because it would preclude opening of the entry door 12. And, since the door 12 shown in FIG. 1 is without an opening, it is not possible to close the door 12 and receive any ambient air flow from the exterior of the structure that includes the door 12.

[0018] FIG. 2 similarly show a door 12, with frame elements of a top rail 25, a bottom rail 27, a hanging rail 29 and a latch rail 31. It will be appreciated that standard door dimension such as 36×80 may be utilized for provision of the door 12. Further, a standard door depth of one and three-quarter inches (1 ¾″) may be used for the door 12. As shown, the door 12 is a sufficient depth to receive an insert, indicated generally at 70. The insert 70 include two substantially identical frame members 75a and 75b, each of which include respective top rails 77a and 77b, bottom rails 79a and 79b, a side rail 81a and 81b, and an opposing side rail 83a and 83b. The frame elements 75a and 75b are secured matingly one to the other by a plurality of fasteners 86 that engage securing elements 88. The fasteners 86 may comprise bolts and/or screws that extend through openings frame 90a and 90b, 91a and 91b, 92a and 92b, 93a and 93b, 94a and 94b and 95a and 95b to engage respective nuts 96.

[0019] The present invention illustrated in FIG. 2 further includes an insert member 100. As shown, the insert member 100 is configured to be received by and between insert frame members 75a and 75b. The fasteners 86 may engage the insert member 100 to maintain its position, as described in more detail below. The insert member 100 includes frame members including a top rail 105, a bottom rail 107, a side rail 109 and an opposing side rail 111. The frame members support at least two respective channels 113a and 113b in side rails 109 and 111. The channels receive a pair of glass panels 116 and 118. As shown in FIG. 2, glass panels 116 and 118 are side-by-side, immediately one behind the other. The insert member 100 further includes a screened portion 120. It will be appreciated that panel 118 may slid vertically to cover the screening 120 so as to provide a glass front such that glass panel 118 rests at the top of the insert 100. It is to be understood that the insert frame members such as 105, 107, 109 and 111 may include apertures for receipt of a fastener 86 to support the insert 100 in the opening defined in the door 12, between the frame members 75a and 75b. In fact, such openings may be threaded so as to thread-ably engage the fasteners 86. Alternatively, the door 12 may be constructed or configured to receive and support the insert within the opening without using the fasteners 86. A friction fit, or separate and distinct fasteners, may be used as desired. The person of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that there are many different and varied ways of mounting and maintaining the insert 100 within the door 12 that are within the spirt and scope of the present invention.

[0020] FIG. 3 shows an embodiment of an insert 200 in accordance with the present invention. In this embodiment, the insert 200 includes a series of apertures 205a, 205b, 205c, 205d, 205e, and 205f that are configured and located to be engaged by fasteners 86 so as to secure and retain the insert 200 within the frame members 75a and 75b. It will be appreciated that the apertures 205a-205f may be threaded so as to engage the fasteners 86, if so desired. It will be appreciated that the insert 200 includes a lower glass panel 216, a second glass panel 218 and a screen 220, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 3a. Referring in more detail to FIG. 3a, the insert 200 includes a first an opposing pair of channels 213a and a second opposing pair of channels 213b positioned on opposite inner side walls of the insert 200. The pair of channels 213a and 213b are essentially identical, and thus only one is described in detail herein. The opposing set of channels 213a are configured to extend along and located in the lower front portion of the insert 200. The channels 213a define side rails that receive the glass panel 216, which as shown in FIG. 3 sits to the front side of the insert 200. The second opposing set of channels 213b are configured to extend along and located across the entire opposing inner side walls of the insert 200. The channels 213b define side rails that receive and facilitate slid able movement of the glass panel 218, which as shown in FIG. 3 sits to the rear or interior side of the insert 200.

[0021] The screen 220 is secured about a tractable, biased rotating roller 301 that is secured within the upper rail portion of the insert 200. While not necessary from a functional standpoint, the roller 301 and associated screen 220 may thus be hidden from view for aesthetic reasons. The screen 220 may be biased about the roller 301 in a shade-like manner so as to be urged into a withdrawn position such that, if left to its own devices, the screen 220 would be fully withdrawn and remain withdrawn (and fully maintained about the roller 301) into the top rail of the insert 200. Such biasing may be accomplished by a known winding mechanism (not shown) or any other suitable mechanism known to the person of ordinary skill in the art. The distal end of the screen 220 is attached to the uppermost portion of the glass panel 218 that rests within the opposing set of channels 213b. The method of attachment may be by glue, fasteners, or any other suitable device, and would preferably be accomplished in such a manner as to insure that there is no gap or opening between the screen material 220 and the top of the panel 218. As a result, movement of the glass panel 218 within its respective side rails as defined by opposing channels 213b will result in a corresponding movement of the screen 220. If the glass panel 218 is lowered to its lowermost position, as shown in FIG. 3, the screen 220 is extended to its maximum position and, as such, a screened opening is provided through which ambient air can pass the insert 200 into a dwelling secured by a door 12. Alternatively, if the glass panel 218 is moved within its side rails to its uppermost position, the opening defined by the insert 200 is fully closed by means of the glass panels 216 and 218, and the screen 220 is withdrawn about the roller 301 within the upper rail of the insert 200. It will be appreciated that regardless of its position, the biasing of the screen 220 about the roller 301 allows for the screen to be fully engaged with and extended to meet the top surface of glass panel 218. Thus, the screen could be secured by a latch, detent or other mechanism (not shown) at discrete positions along the opposing channels 213b, shown by way of example at points 310, 312 or 314, which would progressively reduce the size of the screen opening in the insert 200 in accordance with a user's preference.

[0022] It will further be appreciated that the glass panels 216 and 218 may be fitted with weatherproofing material or the like in order to provide a greater level of protection to the interior of a dwelling or other structure. For example, the base of the glass panel 218 may be fitted with a weather proofing strips of material 325 and 326. Such a weather proofing (or water proofing) material may be cloth, rubber, polyvinyl chloride, silicone, or any like or suitable material that is effective to weatherize the opening. For example, the weatherproofing material 325 would be effective to preclude the introduction of air or water or other undesired element that may seek to intrude between the top of panel 216 and the bottom of panel 218 when the inner panel 218 is raised to its uppermost position. Similarly, weather proofing strip of material 326 would be effective to preclude the introduction of air or water or other undesired element that may seek to intrude between the top of the panel 218 and the top rail of the insert 200 when the panel is at it uppermost position. Yet further, it will be appreciated that the side, top and bottom surfaces of the insert 200 may be fitted with weather stripping material to similarly preclude the introduction of unwanted elements about the insert 200 as it is secure within the door 12. Two examples of such weather proofing materials portions are shown at 329 and 327 in FIG. 3. Such weather-stripping (or water proofing material) may be attached or secured in a suitable manner including by screws or other fasteners, glue, or any other suitable device.

[0023] Therefore, it is to be understood that the present invention is suitable for use in hurricane-prone areas and, accordingly, the insert 100 may be mounted with weather stripping placed about its periphery to insure a proper seal and protection, as is shown and described in more detail herein. The use and securing of weather stripping within and about a door is known to the person of ordinary skill, and known methods may be used in relation to the insert. A primary purpose of the door will be to withstand extreme wind, prevent intrusion of matter and debris, and to generally protect against storm damage. The fasteners 86 and weather stripping may therefore be selected to meet, and possible exceed, such conditions. Regardless, in typical non-storm related use and in extreme weather conditions, the present invention is suitable for use in an outward opening door 12 (see arrow 50), the glass panels 116 and 118 can be manipulated so as to for a substantially airtight barrier for cold weather (See FIG. 1) or provide an opening for ambient air (see FIG. 2). Such an arrangement and flexibility is well suited for those regions or areas where an outward opening door is required such as in hurricane prone areas where an outward opening exterior door may be required. Further, it is to be appreciated that the present invention is not limited to a particular size of door 12 or insert 100, as the teachings of the present disclosure are applicable to any size door and insert. Further, the teachings of the present disclosure are also applicable to a combination of doors, such as double entry (or “French”) doors, and to door panels that may be fixed (sometimes in conjunction with another door).

[0024] While this specification contains many specific implementation details, these should not be construed as limitations on the claims. Certain features that are described in this specification in the context of separate implementations may also be implemented in combination in a single implementation. Conversely, various features that are described in the context of a single implementation may also be implemented in multiple implementations separately or in any suitable sub-combination. Moreover, although features may be described above as acting in certain combinations and even initially claimed as such, one or more features from a claimed combination may in some cases be excised from the combination, and the claimed combination may be directed to a sub-combination or variation of a sub-combination.

[0025] Similarly, while operations may be depicted in the drawings in a particular order or arrangement, this should not be understood as requiring that such operations be performed in the particular order or arrangement shown or in any sequential order, or that all illustrated operations or arrangements be performed, to achieve desirable results. In certain circumstances, multitasking and parallel processing may be advantageous. Moreover, the separation of various system components in the implementations described above should not be understood as requiring such separation in all implementations, and it should be understood that the described components and systems may generally be integrated together in a single product or packaged into multiple products.