Building Entrance

Abstract

There is provided an improved building entrance including a system of frames, doors, and hardware which is extremely rugged and provides high performance, and is intended for applications requiring hard usage such as schools, colleges, and the like. The building entrance includes a through threshold assembly, a through head assembly, and side frame members having integrally formed longitudinally extending screw splines. Screw fasteners extend through the threshold and header assemblies into the side frames. The door is formed of generally tubular members, joined together with shear blocks and fastened by screws or welds, or both.

Parent Case Text

This application is a division of application Ser. No. 59,986, filed July 31, 1970 and now abandoned.

Description

The present invention relates to a building entrance, and particularly to a high performance entrance suitable for use in heavy traffic areas such as schools, colleges, and the like.

Heretofore, doors, and particularly aluminum doors, have developed into a highly standardized product wherein the products of different manufacturers, and the different lines of each manufacturer, are indistinguishable with regard to both appearance and function. Different doors, of course, are available which differ as to style with glazing, bead design, and internal construction details. However, most of the differences are inconsequential and do not give a specified architect any valid reason for selecting one in preference to another. Our prior application Ser. No. 24,457, filed Apr. 3, 1970, provides for doors having appearance flexibility, and which have been proven to be extremely rugged. These doors in general emphasize design flexibility but are intended for use in frames of all types.

Most door entrances do not provide for functional specialization. High performance entrances particularly suited for schools and colleges provide one area for such functional specialization. Thus, functional specialization with superior weather-tightness is desirable in such structures. Although weather-tightness may be of little importance in commercial entrances in which the doors are open for substantial portions of the time when the building is occupied, it becomes increasingly important in the specification of entrances which will be closed except at certain peak traffic periods. Another area for functional specialization is in security. While security can never be considered to be of minor importance, it may be more important on lightly guarded buildings having multiple entrances than on single-entrance commercial establishments that can be adequately protected by alarm systems or otherwise. Still another area for specialization is the entrance hardware which, traditionally, is off the shelf material not designed specifically to fit any given doors. Often the mounting of general purpose hardware seriously impairs the structural properties of the doors themselves. Moreover, the hardware is not generally designed to provide proper appearance characteristics in combination with specified doors. Finally, an additional important consideration is structural integrity, both in doors and in their supporting frames. In this respect, the frames appear to be the worse offender. Typical frames are incapable of carrying the structural loads characteristic of school and college entrances, either in their joints, their ability to support the hinges and pivots, or their attachment to the building structure.

Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide a new and improved high performance entrance for a building.

Another object of the present invention is the provision of a building entrance having superior weather tightness.

Yet another object of the present invention is the provision of a building entrance affording maximum security.

Still another object of the present invention is the provision of a building entrance adapted for receiving hardware without impairing the structural properties of the entrance components.

Yet another object of the present invention is the provision of a new and improved building entrance having improved structural integrity.

In accordance with these and many other objects of the invention, there is provided an improved building entrance assembly including frame members designed for stiffness and strength, for positive joining to one another, and for the avoidance of weakening cutouts where hardware is concerned. The entrance system includes door members designed so they are unusually stiff, and may be assembled into stiff strong doors. Moreover the members are designed in such a way that their stiffness and strength are not impaired by the attachment of hinges, pivots, closers, holders, and locks.

The members of the frame system, like the doors, are designed for stiffness and strength, for positive joinery to one another, and for the avoidance of weakening cutouts where hardware must be installed. The frame system, while completely self-contained, is compatible visually and dimensionally with other systems of framing. Particular attention has been given to the provision of adequate means for the attachment of the frames to the building structure.

The door and frame systems are mated one to the other in such a way as to provide for extraordinary weathertightness and security against forced entry. Each door leaf is double-weathered on three sides, and is single-weathered, drained, and pressure-relieved at the sill. Each door leaf interlocks with its jambs in such a way that with the lock engaged, it cannot be pried open without tearing metal, nor can it be opened by removal of the hinge pins. In neither the doors nor the supporting frames are there any removable glass stops accessible from the outside.

In accordance with the present invention, the new and improved building entrance includes a framing having a through threshold assembly and a through header assembly, interconnected by tubular side frame members. The side frame members have integrally formed longitudinally extending screw splies so that screw fasteners can extend through the threshold and header assemblies into the screw spindles affording strong, rigid frame joints. Moreover, in the present door system each member of the door is designed to meet a different set of structural, functional, geometrical, and equipment demands, and accordingly each member has been designed especially to do its own job. To this end, there are provided lock and hinge stile members, bottom rails, and top rails, all of tubular structure with outwardly extending side flanges and cooperating to provide improved weathering and security properties. The members of the door are joined by being bolted and welded through joint blocks, similar to those heretofore described in our prior-mentioned copending patent application.

For a better understanding of the present invention, reference may be had to the accompanying drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is a front elevational view of a typical entrance according to the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a sectional elevational view of the entrance of FIG. 1, taken along line 2--2 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a sectional elevational view of the entrance of FIG. 1, taken along line 3--3 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a cross sectional plan view of the entrance of FIG. 1, taken along line 4--4 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary sectional view of the entrance of FIG. 1, taken along line 5--5 of FIG. 1, and illustrating the joint between the transom bar and a through side frame member;

FIG. 6 is a fragmentary cross sectional view of the entrance of FIG. 1, taken along line 6--6 of FIG. 1, and illustrating the joint between an intermediate vertical frame member and the transom bar;

FIG. 7 is a fragmentary sectional view of the entrance of FIG. 1, taken along line 7--7 thereof, and illustrating a threshold-to-side frame member joint;

FIG. 8 is a fragmentary sectional view of the entrance of FIG. 1, taken along line 8--8 thereof, and illustrating the top rail-to-side frame joint;

FIG. 9 is a fragmentary cross sectional view of a door lock stile-to-lower rail connection, taken along line 9--9 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 10 is a fragmentary cross sectional view of the door lock stile-to-lower rail connection, taken along line 10--10 of FIG. 9;

FIG. 11 is a cross sectional view, taken along line 11--11 of FIG. 1, and illustrating a typical hinge joint;

FIG. 12 is an exploded perspective view of the entrance of FIG. 1, illustrating the header assembly-to-side frame member joint;

FIG. 13 is an exploded perspective view illustrating the connection between the threshold and the side frame member; and

FIG. 14 is an exploded fragmentary perspective view illustrating the joint between the lock stile of the door and the top and bottom rails of the door.

Referring now to the drawings, and particularly to FIG. 1, there is illustrated a typical building entrance 20 which, in the illustrated embodiment, includes a through threshold assembly 22, a through head assembly 23, and a pair of interconnecting side frame members 24 and 25. In addition, there is provided a transom member 28 abutting against the side frame members 24 and 25, and a cripple jamb assembly 29, extending between the threshold assembly 22 and the transom member 28. The frame assembly forms a plurality of openings for supporting a fixed transom panel 30 of glass or other suitable material, a fixed sidelight panel 31 of glass or other suitable material, and an opening 32 closeable with a door 35.

Referring now to the construction of the door 35, it will be understood that in obtaining maximum performance of a door system each member of the door must meet a different set of structural, functional, geometrical, and equipment demands, and for this reason each member is designed to do its own job, and has not been compromised to do some other job in addition. Accordingly, referring to the door structure as best illustrated in FIGS. 3, 4, 9, 10, and 14, the door is formed of a through lock stile assembly 38, a through pivot stile assembly 39, a bottom rail assembly 40, and a top rail assembly 41 which are interconnected to support a door panel 42 of glass or other suitable material.

As best illustrated in FIGS. 4, 9, and 14, the basic lock stile includes a tubular stile member 44 and an assembled stile cap 45. The stile member 44 includes inner and outer inwardly extending side flanges 44a, 44b to define a glass pocket 46. The stile end of the stile member 44 has an outer outwardly extending flange 44c having an inwardly extending groove 44d on the inner surface of its side wall. A second inwardly extending groove 44e is defined in the inner side wall of the stile member 44 adjacent the tubular portion thereof. The confronting grooves 44d and 44e are adapted to slidably receive the stile cap 45.

Referring to the stile cap 45, the stile cap includes an inwardly extending tongue 48 which, with the inner wall of the lock stile assembly 38, defines a groove 49. Moreover the stile cap 45 will normally never be removed from the door after assembly, and accordingly has been designed in the illustrated embodiment with interlocking ribs 45a, 45b, FIG. 14, as a slide-in member rather than a snap-in member. To take up installation clearance and to prevent rattling, the interlocking ribs 45a, 45b of the stile cap 45 may be crimped locally before it is put into place. Alternatively the ribs may be stacked into position or secured by suitable adhesive.

The stile member 44 includes a pair of spaced tranverse webs 44f, 44g forming the tubular portion thereof, and the stile cap 45 covers holes 50, FIG. 14, formed in the web 44f through which assembly screws are inserted. Moreover, the tongue 48 with the groove 49 will interlock with a similar tongue and groove in the door stop to form a tortuous weathering path. Since the stile cap 45 performs a security function as well as covering up the assembly screws, it is deliberately designed as a heavy wall extrusion. No door equipment is attached to the stile cap, and the lock, for example, can be secured directly to the web 44f of the stile member 44.

The stile member 44 accepts suitable glass adapters or stops 51, FIG. 4, similar to those described in our previously mentioned copending application.

The pivot stile assembly 39, best illustrated in FIGS. 4 and 11, is typical and includes a stile member 53 provided with inwardly extending inner and outer face flanges 53a, 53b defining a glass pocket 54. In addition, the stile member 53 includes an outer, outwardly extending flange 53c and an inner, outwardly extending tongue 55. The stile member is provided with spaced transverse webs 53d, 53e forming a tubular portion. The other surface of the web 53e is provided with a suitable reentrant groove 53f, and the inner wall of the outwardly extending projection 53c is provided with an inwardly extending groove 53g which together receive interlocking parts of a pivot stile cap 56. The stile cap 56, as with the lock stile cap 45, is a heavy member designed for a slide-in fit with the stile, and suitable means such as local crimping or staking is preferably provided to keep the stile cap 56 from rattling. The stile cap 56, along with the tongue 55, in combination define a groove 57 which when the door is closed will interlock with a similar tongue and groove in the door stop. The interlocking tongues and grooves in the lock stile are on the inside face of the stile, and on the jamb face of the pivot stile, providing increased security for the entrance.

As best illustrated in FIG. 11, the space between the stile cap 56 and the web 53e is for the accommodation of hinges and pivots without requiring cutouts in the heavy portions of the stile. In mounting hinges or pivots, the cutout is in the stile cap 56. On the stile, only the flange 53c is cut out, as is required to pass the thickness of the hinge or pivot leaf. The hinge or pivot leaf is secured directly to the outer web 53e. The angular inclination of the outer surface of the outer web 53e has been selected to permit the direct attachment of available offset pivots and butt hinges.

A suitable deep-pocket glass stop or adapter 60 is used in the glass pocket 54 of the pivot stile member 53.

The typical bottom rail assembly 40 is similar to that more fully described in our above-mentioned copending application and, referring particularly to FIGS. 3 and 14, the bottom rail assembly 40 includes a tubular extruded bottom member 62 having inner and outer faces 62a, 62b interconnected by transverse webs 62c, 62d intermediate their length, thereby providing an upper glass pocket 63 and a lower downwardly opening pocket 64. The downwardly opening pocket 64 provides for the accommodation of commercially available door closer pivot arms. The dimensions and details of the glass pocket 63 are typical to those of a shallow pocket, and it accepts the shallow glass stop 51 heretofore described.

Integrally formed with the bottom member 62 are a plurality of longitudinally extending screw splines 65, formed at the juncture of the faces 62a, 62b and webs 62c, 62d. As best illustrated in FIGS. 9, 10, and 14, and more fully described in the above-mentioned copending application, forces are transmitted from the stile assemblies 38 and 39 to the rail assemblies 40 and 41 through suitable joint blocks 67, 68. For this purpose shoulders 65a are provided on the screw splines 65 to react forces transmitted by the joint blocks. Suitable fastening screws 69 fasten through the inner web of the respective stile members into the screw splines 65 for joining the stiles to the rails.

Typical top rail assemblies 41 are best illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 14 and include a top rail member 70 of generally tubular cross section having an inner face 70a, an outer web 70b, and spaced transverse webs 70c, 70d interconnecting the face 70a and web 70b. Screw splines 71 are provided for securing the stiles to the top rail member 70 through the joint blocks 67 by the screws 69. For this purpose, suitable bearing surfaces 70e, 70f are provided within the tubular structure of the rail member 70. An outer removable face member 74 is provided for glazing access. It interlocks with the rail member 70 and is fastened thereto by suitable screws 75, FIG. 3. The interlock and screws are, of course, inaccessible unless the door is open, and are therefore, safe with respect to unauthorized entry. The removable face is located on the outside of the head rail to permit its removal for reglazing without having to unmount the door closer and to give a solid web 70a to which the closer may be mounted. The face member 74, with the face 70a, provides a downwardly opening glazing pocket 76 which will receive deep glass stops or adapters 60.

It is recognized that the entrance frame members are subject to an entirely different set of structural and functional requirements from those governing the design of glass holding systems generally. Accordingly, in accordance with the present invention there is provided a frame system for the entrance which is specialized to meet the exacting high performance requirements. The entrance frame and the surrounding glass holding members accordingly preserve visual compatibility both with the door and the adjacent glass structure. However, the entrance framing is designed to different criteria to satisfy the specific functional requirements of the entrance.

Typical jamb or side frame members 29, 24, and 25 are best illustrated in FIG. 4. As therein illustrated, each of the side frame assemblies 24 and 25 and the cripple jamb assembly 29 are formed of tubular extruded members having the usual shallow and deep glass glazing pockets. As is well known in the glazing art, customarily a deep and shallow pocket will face each other. Accordingly, the framing system is provided with side frame members wherein the shallow pocket and the deep pocket face the door. More specifically, referring to FIG. 4, the side frame members 24 and 29 are formed of an extruded member 80, while the jamb assembly 25 is formed of an extruded member 90. Each of the extruded members 80, 90 is provided with opposed shallow glazing pockets 81, 91 and deep glazing pockets 82, 92. For strength and stiffness, the extruded members 80, 90 are provided with heavy faces 80a, 90a and 80b, 90b interconnected by transverse webs 80c, 80d, 80e, and 80f and 90c, 90d, 90e, and 90f, with the respective glazing pockets. The webs 80e, 80f and 90c, 90d facing the door itself are formed thick to provide ample metal for screw attachment of hinges, pivots, and transom bar shear blocks. The side away from the door matches in thickness the wall of compatible systems, and the glass pocket on the side away from the door is also identical to corresponding pockets of other glazing systems. On the side towards the door, there is a partial glass pocket, as shown at 91 and 82, which at its inside matches the glazing pockets of other systems. However, one of the transverse webs, here shown as 80f, 90d, is recessed to provide for the mounting of hinges and pivots without the need for mortises and butt straps. The recess depth is adequate for commercially available heavy duty pivots and hinges. A flange 80g, 90g extends outwardly of the recessed faces and will be cut away as required to provide clearance for the hinges or pivots.

The partial glass pockets facing the door along with the recessed webs provide for the retention of weathering door stops, here shown as lock stops 95 and hinge stops 96. These pockets along with a suitable glazing adapter or glass stop 97 will adapt the extruded members 80, 90 to accept glazing.

Integrally extruded with the extruded members 80, 90 are a plurality of screw splines 99 for the attachment of the respective assemblies to the sill and header. The screw splines 99 in the illustrated embodiment are located adjacent the heavy webs 80e, 80f and 90c, 90d so that the metal surrounding the screw splines 99 is located advantageously with regard to strength and stiffness.

It will be seen that the extruded members 80 and 90 are identical to one another, except that the positions of the deep and shallow pockets are reversed. These members will be used in pairs and will define the outside limits of the entrance assembly. Two members are required in order that the succession of deep and shallow pockets required for flush glazing will not have to be broken at entrances. With two members, glazing of transom lights and lights adjacent to entrances is normal, regardless of how many entrances occur on a particular project.

Wherever an entrance contains more than one door, or where required the combination of doors and side lights, a member analogous to the extruded members 80 and 90 may be provided wherein both pockets are partial, with both sides recessed, and both sides thereby accepting all standard door stops and glazing fillers as the remainder of the system.

Referring to the typical transom member 28, FIGS. 2, 6, and 12, the transom member includes many of the design features of the extruded members 80, 90 heretofore described, and is formed of an extruded tubular structure having shallow and deep glazing pockets 101, 102 and including face portions 28a, 28b interconnected by transverse webs 28c, 28d, 28e, and 28f. The web 28e is recessed to provide for receiving door stops and glazing stops, and the face 28a has a downwardly projecting flange 28g having a somewhat V-shaped groove 28h in its lower transverse surface defining a drip peculiar to transom bars.

The lower pocket 101 is the usual shallow glazing pocket; the upper pocket 102 is proportioned nominally a deep pocket, but having excess depth only sufficient to accommodate suitable glass setting blocks 103. Thus, the deep glazing pocket 102 of the transom bar does not function in the same manner as the deep glazing pockets heretofore described in the vertical sections.

To provide for attachment of the transom bar to the side frame assemblies 24 and 25, the transom member 28 is extruded with a pluraity of longitudinally extending integrally formed screw spindles 104 and, as best illustrated in FIG. 12, suitable screw fastenings may secure the vertical members such as the side frame assemblies 24 and 25 directly to the transom member 28 by screws 105. Suitable plugs 106 may be used to close the screw openings in the outer wall of the vertical members.

The threshold 22 runs continuously under all vertical entrance frame members, and as illustrated in FIGS. 7 and 13, the vertical frame members will be coped at the bottom to fit the upper profile of the threshold. Screws 107 are driven up through the threshold into the screw splines 99 formed in the vertical frame members.

The threshold also forms the structural connection between the entrance frame and the supporting floor structure. It has ample flat surface area underneath to permit it to be effectively shimmed where necessary, and a pad 22a at the center line will provide suitable surface through which anchor screws may be driven without danger of deforming the threshold assembly.

The head assembly 23, best illustrated in FIGS. 2, 8, and 12, includes a header 110 which is analogous in its structural function to the threshold just described in that, like the threshold, it runs continuously over all vertical members and is secured by flat head screws 111 driven into the screw splines of the vertical members. The lower surface of the header 110 is flat, except for downwardly extending stop detents 112, 113. The stop detents 112, 113 are cut away where vertical members are joined to the header, as best illustrated in FIGS. 8 and 12. This will permit the vertical members to be square cut in the field to adapt to local opening height variations.

Like the threshold 22, the header 110 provides the means for securing the entrance frame to the supporting building structure. It is flat at its upper surface so that it an be conveniently shimmed to the supporting structure and so that installation screws can be drawn tight without danger of deforming the extrusion. Such installation screws will in service be subjected to shear rather than to bending, and will be much more efficient than in present commerical frames.

The head assembly 23 additionally includes suitable glass stops or adapters 115, FIG. 2, for retaining the glazing.

A suitable side light base assembly 118, FIG. 2, is provided between the verticals to support a side light portion. The side light base assembly includes a body portion 119 and a face portion 120. The body portion 119 has the same visible height as the door bottom rail 40. It provides for a deep pocket clearance at the top, and interlocks with a threshold projection 121 and provides a pocket 122 therewith for caulking 123. A trough 124 in a glazing pocket 125 serves to retain setting blocks, and the trough is pierced to provide openings 126 at suitable intervals to permit drainage of infiltrated water from the pocket 125. An inner upstanding flange 127 functions as a dam to prevent water from overflowing to the interior and also serves to retain the face portion 120. The pocket 125 is drained and vented to the outside by suitable slots 128.

The face portion 120 is located on the inside of the building so that it is not accessible for tampering when the building is closed. It interlocks near the threshold with interlocking portions as shown at 129, and snaps into the projecting shelf 127 of the body portion 119. A hookshaped portion 130 allows for the insertion of a screw driver blade for disengagement in the event that reglazing becomes necessary.

Referring to FIGS. 3 and 4, the jambs and transom member previously described are adapted to receive doors by means of special weathering door stops, including the door stop 95 at the lock end of the door secured to the cripple jamb assembly 29; the door stop 96 at the hinge side of the door secured to the side frame assembly 25, and the upper door stop 134 interlocked with the transom member 28. Referring first to the weathering stop 95 at the lock jamb, the door stop 95 is in interlocking, slide-in fit with the cripple jamb assembly 29 at its outer face, adjacent the recessed web 80f, and interlocking with interlocking portions of the cripple jamb assembly 29, including the gasket groove of the glazing pocket 82. A flange 95a is provided for screws 136 to be inserted from the opposite glazing pocket. Where the stop is used in the deep pocket as shown, suitable spacers 135 will be required; where the stop is used in a shallow pocket, the flange 95a will seat directly on the bottom of the glazing pocket.

The door stop 95 is dimensioned so as to have the door set back into the frame to clear the drip 28h of the transom bar.

The door stop 95 interlocks with the door stile cap 45, including an inwardly extending finger 95b of the door stop 95 interfitting into the groove 49 formed between the tongue 48 and the lock stile member 44, to provide a tortuous path for the infiltration of weathering. Moreover, the finger 95b forms a gasket pocket 137 receiving suitable weathering gasket 138 against which the tongue 48 seats. In addition, a second weathering gasket 139 fits within a gasket channel 140. Thus, there are two lines of weathering; a wiper gasket 139 near the outer edge of the door, and a bulb gasket 138 at the interlock.

The stop interlocks make it impossible to pry the door and frame apart to disengage the lock and tongue.

The weathering door stop 96 at the pivot jamb is also a sliding interlock with the side frame assembly 25, having interfitting and interlocking parts including a rib fitting within the glazing channel of the glass pocket 91. The door stop 96 includes an inner flange 96a which, in the illustrated shallow pocket, bottoms against the bottom of the pocket, but which in a deep pocket, would require spacing blocks, and is secured by suitable screws 141 to the deep pocket 92.

A projecting flange 53h extends into the channel 96a formed in the door stop 96 to interlock therewith in a tortuous path. The inner surface of the outstanding leg 96c is provided along its inner surface with a gasket channel 96f, and a suitable weathering gasket 143 is provided for interlocking with the projection or tongue 53h. In addition, a weathering gasket channel 96g adjacent the outer edge of the door stop 96 is provided for carrying a second weathering gasket 144.

Thus, the pocket 96c accepts the wiper gasket 143 sealing against the tongue 53h, and the gasket channel 96g accepts the bulb-type gasket 144 sealing against the hinge stile cap 56 to provide double-weathering along the hinge edge of the door. Moreover, the door 35 interlocks through the tongue 53h into the groove 96c when closed so that the door will be kept effectively closed even though the hinges or pivots are destroyed, thus providing uperior security to the door.

The weathering door stop 134, FIG. 3, used at the transom bar, like the door stops previously shown, is a sliding interlocking fit with the transom bar and is provided with a suitable flange 134a with which it may be screw-fastened in place from the opposite glazing pocket. The drip 28h referred to earlier as a reason for the back set of the door in its frame extends outwardly of the door stop 134. The door stop 134 includes a downwardly extending projection 134b along its inner edge, and has an outwardly facing gasket retaining channel 134c in the outwardly facing side wall of the projection 134b, supporting suitable weathering gasket 145. Additionally adjacent the outer edge thereof, the stop 134 includes a weathering channel 134d supporting a weathering gasket 146. Thus, along the upper edge of the door 35 there is a double line of weathering, with an outer wiper gasket and an inner bulb gasket.

The lower inner edge of the door, at the bottom rail assembly 40, engages against a weathering gasket 147 supported within a gasket channel 148 formed in the threshold member 22 of the building entrance. The outer edge of the door 35 is spaced apart from the threshold member 22 to provide a pressure equalizing slot 149.

The glass stops 97 of the present system are slide-fit into their associated frame members. The glass stops 51 and 60 used in the door 35 readily snap into place. The glass stops 115 in the header assembly also snap into place. Specifically the stop detents 112 have outwardly directed toe portions 112a, FIG. 2, and the stop detents 113 have lower cam surfaces 113a inclined inwardly and upwardly terminating in confronting projecting portions. The glass stops 115 have parts 115a interfitting over the toe portions 112a and complimentary cam surfaces 115b terminating in outwardly projecting portions interlocked over the confronting portions. A glazing channel 114 is defined between the glass stops 115.

From the above detailed description of the building entrance, it will be seen that there is provided, in accordance with the present invention, a high performance entrance including a frame, door, and supporting structure for applications which may be subjected to heavy use and perhaps abuse. There is provided a superior system having improved strength and rigidity, security and weathering.

Although the present invention has been described by reference to only a single embodiment thereof, it will be apparent that numerous other modifications and embodiments will be devised by those skilled in the art which will fall within the true spirit and scope of the present invention.

Claims

What is claimed as new and desired to be secured by Letters Patent of the United States is:

1. A building entrance of the type including a door opening and comprising:

a through threshold assembly having an element for defining a door stop and further adapted to receive a fixed panel;

a through header assembly;

a plurality of frame members having integrally formed longitudinally extending screw splines;

said plurality of frame members, threshold assembly and header assembly defining a plurality of openings including a door opening and openings for supporting fixed panels;

a door operatively assembled in said door opening;

screw fasteners extending through said threshold assembly into said screw splines; and

screw fasteners extending through said header assembly into said screw splines.

2. A building entrance of the type including a door opening and comprising:

a through threshold assembly;

a header assembly including a sill member running through, said sill member having a plurality of downwardly extending detents receiving stops;

tubular frame members having internally formed longitudinally extending integral screw splines, the end of said frame members joining said sill member being square cut at their upper ends;

said plurality of frame members, threshold assembly and header assembly defining a plurality of openings including a door opening and openings for supporting fixed panels;

a door operatively assembled in said door opening;

screw fasteners extending through said threshold assembly into said screw splines; and

screw fasteners extending through said sill member into said screw splines.

3. A building entrance as set forth in claim 2 and including a tubular transom bar running between the end ones of frame members and having integrally formed internal, longitudinally extending screw splines, and screw fasteners extending through said side frame members into the last-mentioned screw splines.

4. A building entrance as set forth in claim 3 wherein said tubular frames each include inner and outer webs, and wherein said webs are provided with aligned openings to receive the last-mentioned screw fasteners, the openings in said outer webs being sufficiently large to permit passage of the heads of said screw fasteners, and further including plugs closing said aligned openings.

5. A building entrance as set forth in claim 2 wherein said sill member comprises a generally flat plate portion adapted to be secured to a building opening said detents including a pair of outer, downwardly extending detents having outwardly directed toe portions, and a pair of inner, downwardly extending detents having lower cam surfaces inclined inwardly and upwardly terminating in confronting projecting portions, said sill member including glass stops associated with said detents having interfitting parts over said toe portions and complimentary cam surfaces terminating in outwardly projecting portions, said last mentioned cam surfaces being fitted over the first mentioned cam surfaces with the outwardly projecting portions interlocked over said confronting portions, a glazing channel being defined be-tween said glass stops.

6. A building entrance of the type including a door opening and comprising:

a plurality of vertical frame members having integrally formed longitudinally extending screw splines;

a through header assembly;

a through threshold assembly running continuously under all said vertical frame members and including a vertically extending longitudinal rib;

said plurality of vertical frame members, threshold assembly and header assembly defining a plurality of openings including a door opening and openings for supporting fixed panels;

a door operatively assembled in said door opening;

screw fasteners extending through said threshold assembly into said screw splines;

screw fasteners extending through said header assembly into said screw splines; and

at least one fixed panel in a panel opening having means along its lower edge fixedly interlocking with said rib; and

weathering means supported by said rib and defining a door stop.