Method, system and apparatus for controlling excessive gaps of a door bottom
11761262 · 2023-09-19
Assignee
Inventors
Cpc classification
International classification
Abstract
A method, system and apparatus configured to correct a non-compliant, excessive gap condition between a door bottom and a finished floor. One example system may include a channel assembly attached to the bottom edge of the door, wherein the channel assembly includes at least one moving component configured to accommodate uneven door bottom gaps across the width of the door and an uneven floor condition.
Claims
1. An assembly for controlling and managing a door bottom clearance of a fire-rated door, the assembly comprising: a first component installed on a bottom edge of the fire-rated door, wherein the first component comprises: a first channel component for mounting onto the bottom edge of the fire-rated door, and a second channel component configured to be movable within the first channel component; and at least one cap component configured to adjust an initial position of the second channel component in relation to the first channel component at a side of the fire-rated door to a selected position, wherein the second channel component is movable within space between the selected position and the first channel component to temporarily accommodate uneven locations in a finished floor beneath the fire-rated door during a swing motion of the fire-rated door.
2. The assembly of claim 1, wherein the first component is configured to control a gap between the bottom edge of the fire-rated door and the finished floor beneath the fire-rated door by at least maintaining a distance between a bottom side of the second channel component and the finished floor in accordance with a selected distance.
3. The assembly of claim 1, wherein the first channel component has a top horizontal panel attached to the bottom edge of the fire-rated door, and two L-shaped side panels, wherein each L-shaped side panel includes a vertical leg and a horizontal leg, wherein corresponding horizontal legs of the two L-shaped side panels are co-planar and define an opening to receive the second channel component.
4. The assembly of claim 3, wherein the second channel component is configured to be movable between a fully compressed state and a fully extended state within the first channel component controlled by a spring.
5. The assembly of claim 4, wherein the second channel component has two horizontal portions extending at two sides, wherein the two horizontal portions are configured to rest on the corresponding horizontal legs of the two L-shaped side panels of the first channel component when the second channel component is in the fully extended state within the first channel component.
6. The assembly of claim 1, wherein the at least one cap component is generally L-shaped including a vertical portion installed on an edge side of the fire-rated door and at least one horizontal tab inserted into space between the first and second channel components and retain the second channel component at the selected position at the side of the fire-rated door.
7. The assembly of claim 1, further comprising an L-shaped bracket including a vertical panel installed onto a surface side of the fire-rated door and a horizontal panel installed onto the bottom edge of the fire-rated door, wherein the first channel component of the first component is installed onto a bottom side of the horizontal panel of the L-shaped bracket.
8. The assembly of claim 1, further comprising a spring configured to connect the first and second channel components.
9. A method for controlling and managing a door bottom clearance of a fire-rated door, the method comprising: installing a first component on a bottom edge of the fire-rated door, wherein the first component comprises: a first channel component for mounting onto the bottom edge of the fire-rated door, and a second channel component configured to be movable within the first channel component, and using at least one cap component to adjust an initial position of the second channel component in relation to the first channel component at a side of the fire-rated door to a selected position, wherein the second channel component is movable within space between the selected position and the first channel component to temporarily accommodate uneven locations in a finished floor beneath the fire-rated door during a swing motion of the fire-rated door.
10. The method of claim 9, further comprising controlling, via the first component, a gap between the bottom edge of the fire-rated door and the finished floor beneath the fire-rated door by at least maintaining a distance between a bottom side of the second channel component and the finished floor in accordance with a selected distance.
11. The method of claim 9, wherein the first channel component has a top horizontal panel attached to the bottom edge of the fire-rated door, and two L-shaped side panels, wherein each L-shaped side panel includes a vertical leg and a horizontal leg, wherein corresponding horizontal legs of the two L-shaped side panels are co-planar and define an opening to receive the second channel component.
12. The method of claim 11, wherein the second channel component is configured to be movable between a fully compressed state and a fully extended state within the first channel component controlled by a spring.
13. The method of claim 12, wherein the second channel component has two horizontal portions extending at two sides, wherein the two horizontal portions are configured to rest on the corresponding horizontal legs of the two L-shaped side panels of the first channel component when the second channel component is in the fully extended state within the first channel component.
14. The method of claim 9, wherein the at least one cap component is generally L-shaped including a vertical portion installed on an edge side of the fire-rated door and at least one horizontal tab inserted into space between the first and second channel components and retain the second channel component at the selected position at the side of the fire-rated door.
15. The method of claim 9, further comprising: installing an L-shaped bracket onto the bottom edge of the fire-rated door by installing a vertical panel of the L-shaped bracket onto a surface side of the fire-rated door and installing a horizontal panel of the L-shaped bracket onto the bottom edge of the fire-rated door; and installing the first channel component of the first component onto a bottom side of the horizontal panel of the L-shaped bracket.
16. The method of claim 9, wherein the first component further comprises a spring configured to connect the first and second channel components.
Description
BRIEF DESCRIPTIONS OF THE DRAWINGS
(1) The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated into and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate one or more example aspects of the present disclosure and, together with the detailed description, serve to explain their principles and implementations.
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DETAILED DESCRIPTION
(17) Various aspects of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings, wherein like reference numerals are used to refer to like elements throughout. In the following description, for purposes of explanation, numerous specific details are set forth in order to promote a thorough understanding of one or more aspects of the present application. It may be evident in some or all instances, however, that any aspects described below can be practiced without adopting the specific design details described below.
(18) As will be described fully below, the present disclosure may be configured to correct a door bottom gap by inserting e.g., a channel assembly into a gap between the bottom edge of a door and a finished floor beneath the door, and attaching the channel assembly to the bottom edge of the door. In so doing, the present disclosure may extend the height of the door, thereby reducing the gap at the bottom of the door. For example, if such a gap measures 1.375″ across the width of the door, the channel assembly of the present disclosure, which may measure 1.0″ in height, and upon installation to the bottom of the door, may add 1.0″ to the effective height of the door and therefore reduce the door bottom gap to 0.375″. The 0.375″ dimension may be within the 0.75″ dimension currently allowed by relevant regulation code for fire-rated doors.
(19) In another embodiment, the present disclosure may be configured to control uneven door bottom gaps across the width of the door via at least one moving component of the channel assembly. In one aspect, the moving part may be set on a pre-determined location via one or more end caps, thereby dynamically changing the height of the channel assembly. If a door bottom gap measures 1.375″ on one side of the door and 1.0″ on the other, the end caps may be used to set the moving part on an angle, thereby accommodating the uneven floor condition. In all cases, the moving part may be free to move to accommodate high spots or other obstructions encountered during the swinging motion path of the door during operation.
(20) In accordance with important aspects of the present disclosure, the moving component of the channel assembly may be configured to provide a selected height ranging from a maximum (across the width of the door) of 1″ (full extension condition) and a minimum (across the width of the door) of 0.625″ (full compression condition). As will be described fully below, an example channel assembly of the present disclosure may include a top channel, a V-shaped bottom channel and a formed spring. The internal moving component may be the V-shaped bottom channel, and the configuration of the channel assembly may provide for a constrained motion path (travel distance) of the V-shaped bottom channel within the top channel. The formed spring, which connects the top channel to the V-shaped bottom channel, may be configured to apply a downward force onto the V-shaped bottom channel, yet allow the V-shaped bottom channel to operate within a motion path as allowed for by the respective parts' geometry. That is, the channel assembly of the present disclosure provides a motion path for the V-shaped bottom channel to freely operate in a substantially vertical motion path, or alternatively one that may be at an angle. As a result, the motion path may be configured to accommodate either a gap that is uniform across the width of a door, or a gap that varies from one side of the door to the other.
(21) In one embodiment, to provide a pre-set height location from one side of the door to the other (other than that of full extension of the channel assembly), one or more end caps may be used in addition to the channel assembly. For example, each end cap may be generally L-shaped with one vertical portion installed on the outer surface of a door edge and the horizontal portion inserted into the space between the top channel and the V-shaped bottom channel. Each end cap may be used to retain the V-shaped bottom channel at a fixed position relative to a gap between its horizontal portion and the finished floor. As discussed above, door bottom gap dimension may be uniform or inconsistent across the width of the door. When the end caps are used and the pre-set height is greater than the minimum (full compression state of the formed spring) height of the channel assembly, the V-shaped bottom channel may be allowed to move within the top channel. The motion path of the V-shaped bottom channel may also provide a means of clearance (temporarily reducing the effective height of the channel assembly), should the V-shaped bottom channel make contact with a high spot in the finished floor. When a high spot or obstruction is encountered, the V-shaped bottom channel may move to a position within the top channel, until the moment that the high spot is no longer present (during a swing operation of the door), then the V-shaped bottom channel returns to the pre-set height location, due to the downward force applied by the formed spring.
(22) Among other features, the present disclosure may include a fire-rated door assembly which may contain a listed and labeled fire rated frame, a listed and labeled fire rated single-swing door and a listed and labeled tire rated smoke seal gasket set. It is known in the art that excessive clearance gaps around the perimeter of the door may be brought into compliance by using a stop extender, attached to the frame. However, there is a need for a different solution when an assembly contains a door that is compliant around the perimeter but non-compliant at the door bottom.
(23) Regarding the gap at the door bottom, a few elements factor into the effectiveness of the disclosed method and apparatus. First, the gap between the door bottom and the finished floor is often not a consistent dimension across the width of the door. Second, the finished floor condition is often not consistent and there may exist high spots in the finished floor which may reduce the gap dimension at a particular location in the swinging action of the door. Furthermore, the listed and labeled fire rated doors may be wood-composite (commonly containing a mineral-based core) or a hollow metal, steel door. The disclosed method and apparatus may account for these variations while providing for an aesthetic and practical solution.
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(25) In one aspect, the present disclosure may be configured to provide a solution for the gap conditions illustrated in
(26) As will be described fully below, one example system for controlling or managing door bottom clearance for a fire-rated door may include a channel assembly 11, end caps 21 and an L-shaped bracket 17, in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure. Referring to
(27) In an example implementation, the channel assembly 11 of the present disclosure may be configured to include the top channel 12 connected with the V-shaped bottom channel 13, via the formed spring 15. Initially, the formed spring 15 may be compressed, such that the end of the formed spring 15 containing the protrusion 46 may rest against the top channel 12. Subsequently, the V-shaped bottom channel 13 may be configured to move into the space defined by the top channel 12, such that the protrusion 46 aligns with the opening 44 of the spring receiver 43, as shown in
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(29) Alternatively, another example system for controlling or managing door bottom clearance for a fire-rated door may include a channel assembly 11 and end caps 21, in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure. Referring to
(30) In some alternative embodiments, the end caps 21 may be optional where a selected height may be desired other than that of a full extension of the V-shaped bottom channel 13. That is, the end caps may be used to set a pre-set height that may be different on one side of the door than the other. The pre-set height locations of the end caps on either side of the door may be independent of each other, and therefore may be used to position the V-shaped bottom channel 13 within the top channel 12, at a position that ranges from a maximum (full extension) on one side to a minimum (full compression), or any location therebetween. In certain implementations, the end caps 21 may accommodate high spots in the floor or other obstructions encountered during the swinging motion of the door. Importantly, the end caps 21 may be configured to provide a motion path of the V-shaped bottom channel 13 within the top channel 12 which allows for the option of different pre-set heights to be set, and allows for the V-shaped bottom channel 13 to be set at an angle (across the width of the door).
(31) Referring now to
(32) In accordance with aspects of the present disclosure, the V-shaped bottom channel 13 of the channel assembly 11 may be made of 18 gauge steel and formed into a symmetrical geometry about a centerline 42, as shown in
(33) In accordance with aspects of the present disclosure, an example assembly to a listed and labeled fire rated door may include using an L-shaped bracket (e.g., the L-shaped bracket 17 described above in connection with
(34) Among other features, an example method of attachment for listed and labeled fire rated wood doors without using an L-shaped bracket is as follows: 1. Open the package and identify the proper mounting hardware (#10×2″ screws). 2. Lay the removed door on a horizontal surface such as a work table or saw horses. 3. Place a component (e.g., the channel assembly 11 described above) onto the bottom of the door, holding flush at one edge and measuring any gap (if any) on the other edge. 4. Check the width of the component and trim to width, up to 2″ per side, as necessary. 5. With the component at the appropriate width, center across the bottom of the door. Hold in this position and transfer the hole locations from the moveable portion of the component, onto the door bottom. 6. Remove the component and drill a 7/64″ pilot hole 2″ deep. 7. Ensure the faces of the door and door bottom are clean and free from debris. 8. install the #10×2″ screws into the holes, leaving approximately ¼″ of the screw out of the door bottom. 9. Install the component by placing the large diameter holes over the head of the screw and sliding the component (along the slot in the channel that attaches to the door bottom) until the head of the screw is visible through the hole in the moveable portion of the component (same holes used in earlier step to transfer hole location onto door bottom). 10. Ensure the component is positioned (side-to-side) between the edges of the door at the desired location, and then drive the #10×2″ screws until the disclosed assembly is tight against bottom of the door. 11. Set the undercut position so that bottom of the component is ⅜″ above the finished floor, using the end cap plates. Place a shim of the desired thickness under the floating portion of the component. Install the two tabs of the end cap plates under the formed channel of the moveable portion of the component. Hold in this position and secure the end cap plates to the edge of the door using the #6×¾″ screws.
(35) In accordance with aspects of the present disclosure, another example method of attachment for listed and labeled fire-rated hollow metal, steel doors using an L-shaped bracket (e.g., the L-shaped bracket 17 described above in connection with
(36) Among other features, the present disclosure may achieve the following objectives: Correct a non-compliant, excessive gap condition between a door bottom and a finished floor. Provide an excessive gap door bottom solution which can travel in the vertical direction to accommodate an uneven floor condition (varying height across the width of the floor), whereby the disclosure contains a fixed component attached to the door and an integrated component which may either be stationary or dynamic during the swinging operation (or travel) of the door. Provide an excessive gap door bottom solution which does not contact either face of the door. Provide an excessive gap door bottom solution which contacts a single face of the door. Provide an excessive gap door bottom solution which may be set to a different dimension on one side of the door to the other, between the bottom of the disclosed components and the top surface of the finished floor, across the width of the door. Provide an excessive gap door bottom solution which uses one or more end caps to establish the distance between the bottom of the disclosed components and the top surface of the finished floor.
(37) The above description of the disclosure is provided to enable a person skilled in the art to make or use the disclosure. Various modifications to the disclosure will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art, and the common principles defined herein may be applied to other variations without departing from the spirit or scope of the disclosure. Further, the above description in connection with the drawings describes examples and does not represent the only examples that may be implemented or that are within the scope of the claims.
(38) Furthermore, although elements of the described aspects and/or embodiments may be described or claimed in the singular, the plural is contemplated unless limitation to the singular is explicitly stated. Additionally, all or a portion of any aspect and/or embodiment may be utilized with all or a portion of any other aspect and/or embodiment, unless stated otherwise. Thus, the disclosure is not to be limited to the examples and designs described herein but is to be accorded the widest scope consistent with the principles and novel features disclosed herein.