U.S. patent number 3,772,837 [Application Number 05/260,269] was granted by the patent office on 1973-11-20 for door or like construction.
This patent grant is currently assigned to The Alumiline Corporation. Invention is credited to John E. Hunt.
United States Patent |
3,772,837 |
Hunt |
November 20, 1973 |
DOOR OR LIKE CONSTRUCTION
Abstract
The present invention is directed to the building art, comprised
generally of a door or window structure embodying a peripheral
framework of horizontal and interconnecting vertical rail members,
supporting by means of gasket material and suitable supporting
structure glazing material. The framework is suitably mounted by
hinge means for swingable or slidable movement into and out of the
encasing wall opening. The horizontal and vertical rail sections
when placed in abutting right angular relationship to one another
are rigidly interconnected and precisely aligned with respect to
one another by means of a particularly contoured connector member
or corner block adapted to receive pin means through apertures in
the horizontal rail section, the connector member being threadably
or otherwise attached to the vertical rail section through a
contoured tension-receiving plate member. In this manner, after
assembly of the parts, and securement of one to the other, a
crimping or crushing action is exerted upon a tongue or "T" section
on the vertical rail, and a structurally sound joint is assured
without resort to time-consuming welding techniques or generally
equivalent expedients.
Inventors: |
Hunt; John E. (Norwood,
MA) |
Assignee: |
The Alumiline Corporation
(Pawtucket, RI)
|
Family
ID: |
22988489 |
Appl.
No.: |
05/260,269 |
Filed: |
June 6, 1972 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
52/127.12;
52/656.4; 256/65.01; 49/504; 52/775 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F16B
7/0446 (20130101); E04B 2/766 (20130101); E06B
3/9642 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
F16B
7/04 (20060101); E04B 2/76 (20060101); E06B
3/964 (20060101); E06B 3/96 (20060101); E04b
001/58 () |
Field of
Search: |
;52/501,475,476,656,657,397,127 ;49/504 ;287/189.36H |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Primary Examiner: Faw, Jr.; Price C.
Claims
I claim:
1. A door construction or the like, comprising a plurality of
interconnected horizontal and vertical rail members of generally
channel-like configuration, one of said vertical rail members
adjacent at least the bottom thereof having its spaced end walls
provided with first and second horizontally aligned openings
therethrough, a contoured block member located in one of said
horizontal rail members adjacent at least one end thereof, said
block member having a horizontally passaged base portion and a
vertically passaged head portion, the passage in the base portion
being in alignment with the first and second openings in the end
walls of said vertical rail member, said horizontal rail member
having a pair of vertically spaced parallely aligned wall sections
each of which has an opening therein which aligns with the opening
in the other wall section, means for rigidly connecting the block
member to the horizontal rail member through the vertical passage
in the block head portion and through the openings in the wall
sections of said rail member, a curved plate member located within
the vertical rail member and bearing against one of the end walls
thereof, said plate member having a central opening therein which
aligns horizontally with the openings in the vertical end wall
openings and with the horizontal passage in the block member base
portion, and fastening means threadably engageable with the block
member through the passage in the base portion thereof and
insertable for threadable engagement through the openings in the
vertical rail member end walls and the central opening in the
curved plate member, said fastening means upon the tightening
thereof applying tension forces to the plate member and compressive
forces at the juncture of the horizontal and vertical rail members,
assuring accurate and precise alignment of the parts and a firm
connection therebetween.
2. A door construction of the character defined in claim 1, wherein
the means rigidly interconnecting the block member to the
horizontal rail member comprises a plurality of pin means drivably
engageable therewith through penetration into and locking fitting
contact with the vertical passage in the head portion of the block
member and the horizontal rail member wall sections, thereby
assuring relative immovability of the block member with respect to
the horizontal rail member after assembly.
3. A door construction of the character defined in claim 1, wherein
the head portion of the block member is shaped with inclined
surfaces thereon surrounding the horizontal passage in said head
portion, and the vertical rail member is formed to include on one
end wall thereof spaced inwardly directed tapered lip sections and
intermediate thereof a tongue section, said inclined surfaces on
the block member head portion exerting upon tightening of the parts
a crimping action upon the tongue section to effect a rapid
alignment of the horizontal and vertical rail members.
4. A door construction of the character defined in claim 3, wherein
the tongue section is generally T-shaped in vertical cross-section,
and the arms thereof are engaged in crushing relation with the
inclined surfaces of the head portion of the block member by the
tensional and compressive forces applied.
5. A door construction of the character defined in claim 4, wherein
the vertical rail member receives in slidable tight fitting
relationship therewith an intermediate sash section, said sash
section being of channel-like configuration when viewed in
cross-section and having a pair of transversely spaced end walls
and integral inwardly directed leg portions, the leg portions being
received under the arms of the tongue section on the vertical rail
and the end walls and leg portions of said sash section at the
juncture being formed with a groove which receives the tapered lip
sections on the vertical rail member.
6. A door construction of the character defined in claim 5, wherein
the intermediate sash section has integral with its end walls
inwardly directed arm portions arcuately shaped gasket-receiving
segments for receiving glazing material therein.
7. A door construction of the character defined in claim 1, wherein
the plate member is arcuately shaped and is in stress applying
relationship to the side and end walls of the vertical rail
member.
8. A door construction of the character defined in claim 1, wherein
the horizontal rail member is formed to include on the top wall
thereof spaced inwardly directed lip sections and intermediate
thereof a tongue section generally T-shaped in vertical
cross-section, and an intermediate sash section received by said
horizontal sash member in slidable tight fitting relationship
therewith, said sash section being of channel-like configuration
when viewed in cross-section and having a pair of transversely
spaced end walls and integral inwardly directed leg portions, the
leg portions being received under the arms of the tongue section on
the horizontal rail member and the end walls and leg portions of
the sash section at their juncture being formed with a groove which
receives the lip sections on the horizontal rail.
9. In a door construction which comprises abutting horizontal and
vertical rail members of general channel-like configuration, the
improvement wherein the horizontal and vertical rail members are
each provided with aligned openings therein, said vertical rail
member having a generally T-shaped tongue section formed on one
wall thereof, a contoured block member located in said horizontal
rail member and having openings therein for attachment to said
horizontal and vertical rail members, one wall of said block member
being shaped with an inclined surface thereon for cooperation with
said T-section on said vertical rail member, and a curved plate
member in said vertical member and effective when a tightening
force is applied to the parts to cause said inclined surface on the
block member to crimp the T-section on the vertical rail member to
effect a rapid precise alignment of said horizontal and vertical
rail members.
10. In a door construction of the character defined in claim 9,
wherein the block member is horizontally and vertically passaged,
and a plurality of fastening means are provided to affix said block
member to said horizontal and vertical rail members through the
passages therein.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
It is known in the art to which this invention pertains to provide
a door or window structure made up of horizontal and vertical rail
sections welded together or through bolted. A plurality of plates
positioned interiorly of the two rail sections have been employed
to anchor the sections one to the other by a series of welds.
However, under certain operational conditions, the desired degree
of right-angular alignment of the two sections was at all times not
effected, with the result that the door or window did not slide
properly, or in other words, the two sections did not mate with the
requisite degree of preciseness with the supporting building
structure. A poor fit thus resulted, often causing binding of the
parts.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The instant invention is directed to door constructions,
exemplified by those of the butt hinge, offset and center hung
type, embodying a plurality of rigidly interconnected vertical and
horizontal rail sections desirably formed of extruded aluminum or
alloys thereof. In accordance with this invention, the door or
window structure during the assembly thereof, generally at the site
of manufacture, incorporates in one of the horizontal rails and
normally the bottom one, a precisely contoured connector member or
corner block having a threaded opening in the base thereof and an
upstanding passage through the yoke or head portion of the block,
adapted to receive a pair of pins or like means force-fitted
through the spaced legs of the horizontal rail section.
The horizontal and vertical rail sections during the extrusion
thereof are provided with integral longitudinally extending
generally T shaped protruberances designed to receive in mating
relationship therewith an extruded strip or requisite length of
glazing gasket material of elastomeric construction. The tongue or
T shaped glazing leg on the vertical rail section abuts the base
portion of the corner block, and within the channel-like vertical
rail section a contoured or arcuately-shaped plate member is
located which is apertured to receive screw means or the like which
affixes through an opening in the outer wall of the vertical rail
to the horizontal rail.
In this manner, by cooperation of the plate member and corner block
or connector member, the compressive force of the nut plate places
the completed joint under tension, and a firm interlock is
established between the inclined planes on the contoured block and
T sections of the vertical rails, relatively rapid self-aligning
effected, and further, a structurally sound and tight juncture of
the vertical and horizontal rails thereof results from the
relatively rapid self-aligning and precise positioning of the parts
by the contoured corner block.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a front elevational view of a door construction embodying
the novel concepts of this invention;
FIGS. 2 and 3 are vertical cross-sectional views taken
substantially along the lines 2--2 and 3--3, respectively, of FIG.
1 to more fully illustrate the structural details of the nut plate
and corner block in cooperation with the horizontal and vertical
rails;
FIG. 4 is a horizontal cross-sectional view taken substantially
along the line 4--4 of FIG. 3;
FIG. 5 is a fragmentary vertical cross-sectional view of the door
structure of this invention during assembly thereof; and
FIG. 6 is an exploded perspective view to show the novel parts
thereof prior to final positioning in the assembly operation.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
Referring now first to FIG. 1 of the drawings, there is designated
generally by the legend D a door construction embodying the novel
concepts of this invention. As is shown, the exemplary center hung
door structure comprises a pair of doors 10 and 12 mounted in the
manner known to the art upon hinge means (not shown), although it
is within the contemplation of this invention that the doors may be
slidably mounted rather than swingably secured. The left and the
right doors 10 and 12 are of identical construction, and each
includes a supporting framework 14 and 16 comprised of horizontal
rails 18 and 20 and rigidly interconnected vertical rails or stiles
22 and 24, the former being referred to in the art as hinge stiles
and the latter lock stiles. As is also shown, in the illustrative
embodiment each door 10 and 12 is provided with a transversely
extending center push bar 26, and pull handle means 28, the
entirety as thus far described being in swingable relation with
threshold means 30.
Referring now also to the other views of the drawings, the vertical
rail or stile 22 in particular, and possibly also its transversely
spaced and parallely aligned member 24, are generally rectangular
when viewed in vertical cross-section and each is extrusion drawn
or otherwise formed to provide an end wall 32, apertured as at 34,
and integral with spaced side walls 36 and 38 connecting with, as a
part of the extrusion process, an inwardly facing end wall 40,
passaged as at 42. The inner end wall 40 of the vertical stile 22
carries thereon, preferably shaped during extrusion, a pair of
inwardly directed lip sections 44 and 46 of generally tapered
configuration intermediate of which is a tongue section 48 of
generally T-shaped vertical cross-sectional shape.
The wall 40 of the vertical stile 22 or 24 through the opening 42
therein, which is horizontally aligned with opening 34 in the end
wall 32, is sized to receive therethrough fastening means 50
threadably engaging a contoured connector or corner block member 52
provided with a horizontally located threaded opening 54 in base
portion 56 of the corner block 52. Also receiving the fastening
means 50 is an arcuately shaped nut plate 58 passaged as at 60 and
designed to exert tension applying forces to the wall 40 of the
vertical stile 22 or 24 and transfer the same to the tongue section
48 which is placed under compression by reason of its inclined
plane configuration, thereby crimping or crushing the tongue or
T-section 48 and assuring a firm interlock between the vertical and
horizontal rail in a manner to be more fully described later.
The corner block or connector member 52, which preferably is of
extruded aluminum or alloys thereof, has formed integral with its
base portion 56 a yoke or head portion 62 vertically passaged as at
64 to receive in firm fitting relation a pair of joint pins 66 and
68 which are driven through apertures 70 and 72 in a generally
T-shaped extruded section 74 formed on top wall 76 of the
horizontal rail member 20 and an intermediate extruded wall section
78 which transversely extends between depending leg sections 80 and
82.
Referring now particularly to FIGS. 1 and 3 of the drawings, there
is slidably associated with the vertical rail member 22 or 24 an
intermediate sash member 84 of general channel-like configuration
when viewed in cross-section as in FIG. 3. The sash member 84 is
also of extruded aluminum, and as an integral structure is formed
with transversely spaced end walls 86 and 88 and inwardly directed
tongue-engaging leg portions 90 and 92, the end wall and leg
portion at the juncture thereof being grooved as at 94 and 96 to
receive in slidable snug fitting relationship the inwardly disposed
lip sections 44 and 46 on the vertical stile members 22 and 24.
Also integral with the end wall portions 86 and 88 and generally
parallely aligned with and transversely spaced from the leg
portions 90 and 92 is a pair of glazing gasket-receiving arm
portions 98 and 100 which grippingly engage the sealing gasket 102.
As is known to the art, the gasket is formed of neoprene or other
suitable elastomeric substance and embraces in air and fluid tight
relation glazing material 104, which may be glass, plastic or
panel.
The horizontal rail member is generally similarly configured, and
as appears in FIG. 4, cooperates with an intermediate sash member
105 extruded of aluminum or suitable alloys thereof and formed to
include opposed end wall portions 106 and 108 from which depend
inwardly directed leg portions 110 and 112 designed to grippingly
engage the tongue section 74 on the horizontal rail member 20. The
sash member 105, like the sash member 84, is provided with
generally arcuately shaped gasket-receiving pockets or arm portions
114 and 116 for tight fitting contact with gasket means 118. Seated
in the gasket means is the glazing material 104.
A preferred method of assembly of the door construction of this
invention will now be briefly described. With the parts generally
positioned as in FIG. 6, the corner block or anchoring connector
member 52 is located in slidable relationship with top wall 76,
bottom wall 78 and upstanding horizontally spaced side walls 122
and 124 of the horizontal rail member 20. As appears, after the
positioning of the block member 52 with respect to the horizontal
rail member 20, the vertical passage 64 has driven therein through
the apertures 70 and 72 in the horizontal rail member 20 a
plurality of the joint pins 66 and 68 to effect a firm securement
therebetween. Subsequent thereto, or as a part of the initial
assembly operation, the arcuately contoured nut plate 58 is affixed
through fastening means 50, as by insertion of wrench means (not
shown) through opening 34 in the vertical rail end wall 32 and into
the corner block member 52, the nut plate 58 being in bearing
relation to the wall section 40 of the vertical stile 22 or 24,
thereby exerting tension upon the nut plate and applying
compressive forces to particularly the tongue section 48 which is
contoured to have inclined planar surfaces formed thereon. In this
manner, a crimping or crushing force is exerted upon the tongue
section, a firm interlock is assured, and a structurally sound and
tight joint is accomplished, with automatic horizontal and vertical
alignment with only one central fastening.
It is believed manifest from the description earlier given that the
particular mode of assembly of the intermediate sash members and
glazing gaskets need not be further undertaken.
Various modifications in the structures herein disclosed have been
described, and these and other changes may of course be effected
without departing from the spirit of the invention or the scope of
the subjoined claims.
* * * * *