US3667192A

US3667192A - Door threshold and fastener assembly

Info

Publication number: US3667192A
Application number: US14005A
Authority: US
Inventors: Curtis O Sewell
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1970-02-25
Filing date: 1970-02-25
Publication date: 1972-06-06
Anticipated expiration: 1989-06-06

Abstract

A base member is positioned against a floor and between bordering door jambs. The base member includes a groove therein for slidably retaining fasteners which are driven along the groove and into engagement with the jambs thereby clamping the threshold assembly against the floor of the door. The fasteners include slots therein which permit insertion of a tool so that upon application of withdrawing forces on the fasteners, they are easily disengaged from the jambs thus permitting removal of the threshold assembly.

Description

United States Patent Sewell [4 1 June 6,1972

[54] DOOR THRESHOLD AND FASTENER ASSEMBLY [72] Inventor: Curtis 0. Sewell, Highway 43, Saraland,

Ala. 36571 [22] Filed: Feb. 25, 1970 [21] Appl.No.: 14,005

[52] US. Cl. ..52/213, 49/467, 85/49 [51] Int. Cl [58] Field of Search ,..49/467-471, 506;

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,293,168 8/1942 Pirone I .2! H123 3,014,253 12/1961 Manville ..46/469 2,853,749 9/1958 West ..49/468 3,077,009 2/1963 Taber ..52/695 3,261,]30 7/1966 Lawson ..49/469 Primary Examiner-Frank L. Abbott Assistant Examiner-Robert A. Schwartz Attorney-Clarence A. OBrien and Harvey B. Jacobson [57] ABSTRACT A base member is positioned against a floor and between bordering door jambs. The base member includes a groove therein for slidably retaining fasteners which are driven along the groove and into engagement with the jambs thereby clamping the threshold assembly against the floor of the door. The fasteners include slots therein which permit insertion of a tool so that upon application of withdrawing forces on the fasteners, they are easily disengaged from the jambs thus permitting removal of the threshold assembly.

6 Claims, 9 Drawing figures PATENTEDJUM s 1972 SHEEI 1 (IF 2 Fig.2

Curtis 0. .Sewe/l INVENTOR.

PATENTEUJUN slave 3.667.192

' SHEEI 2 BF 2 Curtis 0. Saws/l INVENTOR com WW5 Em DOOR THRESHOLD AND FASTENER ASSEIWBLY The present invention relates to doorway threshold assemblies.

A previously conceived threshold assembly includes a base or runner portion laid between joor jambs and retained in position by screwing the base member into the floor. Frequently, these screws are inserted with greater tightness than necessary so that the upper surface of the threshold assembly is displaced from a confronting lower door edge by an amount sufficient to allow drafts to pass through a created space. In another type of construction, the threshold assembly includes transversely disposed brackets which must be screwed into recess notches formed in bordering joor jambs. The fastening process associated with this construction is time consuming and results in a financial burden to the installer.

The present threshold assembly includes a base member having flat fasteners slidably disposed in grooves formed in the base member. In order to install the present invention, the assembly is cut to the proper length and laid down against the floor between bordering door jambs. A simple angle iron tool is positioned against the fasteners and by applying hammer impact against the tool, the fasteners are caused to move into engagement with the jambs. In a finished installation, the fasteners retain their position in the base member so that the fasteners in effect clamp the assembly against the floor. Slots are formed in the fasteners so that upon application of withdrawal forces on the fasteners, they may be pulled out from the jambs and then removal of the entire threshold assembly is a simple matter.

Unlike prior art devices, the present threshold assembly can readily be installed in metal door frames by drilling small starter holes into the proper vertical door frame supports and then driving the fasteners into the drilled holes.

These together with other objects and advantages which will become subsequently apparent reside in the details of construction and operation as more fully hereinafter described and claimed, reference being had to the accompanying drawings forming a part hereof, wherein like numerals refer to like parts throughout, and in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a complete threshold assembly.

FIG. 2 is an exploded view illustrating the component parts of the threshold assembly as well as the tool utilized to drive the fastener into a door jamb.

FIG. 3 is an elevational view of the threshold assembly laid between joor jambs, before any fastening has been done.

FIG. 4 is an elevational view illustrating the disposition of a fastened threashold assembly between door jambs.

FIG. 5 is a cutaway top plan view of the finished and installed threshold assembly.

FIG. 6 is a transverse sectional view taken through a completed threshold assembly as seen in FIG. 1.

FIG; 7 is a partial longitudinal section taken through the plane passing through section line 7-7 of FIG. 6.

FIG. 8 is an elevational view illustrating the method employed in driving a fastener into a door jamb.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view illustrating the method used for removing the fasteners from engagement with associated door jambs.

Referring to the figures and more particularly to FIG. 1, the present threshold assembly is denoted by reference numeral 10 and is seen to include an elongated base member or strip 12 having a longitudinally formed channel 16 as seen in FIG. 2. As will be noted in the second mentioned figure, a longitudinal filler strip or top member 18 is adapted for insertion into base member 12 after installation of thebase member. The completed appearance of the threshold assembly efi'ects a substantially continuous and rather smooth upper surface which will not interfere with passing traffic. A flat staple type fastener 20 is slidably received within the channel 16 and as will be explained hereinafter, the fastener is driven into engagement with a confronting door jamb in order to effect clamping of the threshold assembly against the floor.

Considering the cross-sectional construction of the threshold assembly, reference is made to FIG. 6 wherein there is shown two upright and parallel spaced elongated side walls 26 connected by a web 28 defining an H-like shape. Elongated ridges 29 extend in confronting relation toward one another from the walls 26 thereby developing longitudinally extending slots or grooves 30 between the ridges 29 and the web 28. The groove 30 serves to slidingly receive the fastener 20 in a manner permitting the outward extension of pointed fastener legs as more fully hereinafter described. The disposition of the fastener in groove 30 is clearly shown in FIG. 7.

Referring to FIG. 6, second ridges 32 will be seen to extend in horizontally aligned confronu'ng relation in the same manner as mentioned in connection with the ridges 29. The second ridges 32 are vertically spaced from the first mentioned ridges 29 thereby defining a second pair of grooves 34 in the upper portions of walls 26. As will be seen hereinafter, the upper grooves serve to seat the top member 18 after the fasteners 20 have been driven into the door jambs. This is necessary in order to cover the elongated channel in the central portion of the base member 12 and render a smooth and continuous top surface for the threshold assembly.

Still referring to FIG. 6, integrally attached elongated wings 35 extend outwardly and downwardly in a contoured manner toward a supporting floor surface. The outward ends of the wings 35 terminate in key-like edges 36 for engagement with mating recesses in sealing strips 38. Each sealing strip 38 includes two outer wiper blade-like edges 40 for contacting the floor and insuring a high degree of weatherproofing.

Considering the cross-sectional configuration of the top member 18 in FIG. 6, the member has an elongated contoured dome 42 and an underlying web 44 connected to the dome portion 42 by vertically upstanding flanges 46. The central portion of the top member is hollow in order to reduce the weight and fabrication costs of the article.

Turning now to the specific construction of the fastener 20, reference is made to FIG. 2 wherein the fastener is seen to include a central rectangular body having point or needlelike legs 52 extending from the transverse edge of the central body 50. The legs 52 are the only portion of the fastener which become embedded in the door jambs. The central body 50 has rectangular slots 54 formed therein to facilitate removal of the fasteners as hereinafter described. I

In order to install the threshold assembly, a tool or impact force transmitting member 56 is employed and may be fairly characterized as an angle bracket having a first portion 58 appending obtusely to a second portion 60.

The method of installing the threshold assembly is as follows:

The base 12 is cut to length according to the width of the door. With the top member 18 removed from base 12, the fastener 20 is slid into the receiving groove in the base so that only the legs 52 extend outwardly from the base. Next, a block or suitable restraining member 62 is positioned atop the base 12 as seen in FIG. 8. The tool 56 is positioned so that the outer transverse edge of portion contacts the inward transverse edge 66 of fastener 20. Then, by applying hammer blows from a suitable tool such as a hammer 68, the fastener 20 is forced outwardly until the fastener legs 52 become firmly embedded in the associated door jamb. At the termination of this process, the top member 18 is snapped into channel 16 so that the resulting threshold assembly has the conventional finished and continuous appearance.

Referring to FIG. 3, the outward ends of the base member 12 are seen to normally bow and having a small rise 70 in the order of a fraction of an inch prior to installation. By so forming the member, it can later be firmly held against the supporting floor. Also, the initially formed rise allows the base member to compensate for unevenness or sag in the floor.

At a time subsequent to the installation of the threshold assembly, should removal of the assembly be desired, it can easily be effected. Viewing FIG. 9, the top member 18 has been removed and a fulcrum block 72 is disposed immediately above the top member and against an associated jamb 24. Then, by inserting the tip portion of a screwdriver 74 into one of of the slots 54in the fastener, rotation of the screwdriver inwardly toward the jamb causes withdrawal of the fastener 24 from the jamb. Once this is accomplished, the base member is simply removed leaving the floor of the doorway in its original condition.

The foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention.

What is claimed as new is as follows:

1. A door threshold assembly for placement in a door frame having opposite side upstanding members, said assembly including an elongated base member having opposite ends and upper and lower sides, a pair of elongated fasteners, means mounting said fasteners from said opposite ends for guided longitudinal shifting relative to and along said base member between retracted positions at least substantially fully recessed within said opposite ends and extended positions with at least the remote ends of said fasteners projecting endwise outwardly of said base member and the adjacent ends of said fasteners supported from said base member, said remote ends of said fasteners being adapted to be anchored to said upstanding members, at least the opposite ends of the upper side of said base member having upwardly opening access openings formed therein providing access to said adjacent ends of said fasteners for engagement therewith by a tool through said access providing openings from above said base member in order to effect shifting of said fastener means from their retracted positions to their extended positions, and wherein said access openings comprise the opposite ends of an upwardly opening full length opening formed in said upper side, said threshold assembly including an elongated lower door edge-to-threshold seal member removably secured in said full length opening and projecting at least slightly above the upper side of said base member, the opposite ends of said seal overlying said fasteners and thus covering the latter from view.

2. The combination of claim 1 wherein said full length opening comprises an upwardly opening groove formed in said upper side of said elongated base member, the lower portions of the opposite ends of said groove including guide means with which said fasteners are slidably and glidingly engaged.

3. The combination of claim 1 wherein the adjacent ends of said fasteners include extraction tool engaging surfaces facing toward the remote ends of said fasteners by which an extraction tool inserted downwardly through said openings may be engaged with said fasteners to retract the same from said upstanding members for removal of said threshold assembly.

4. The combination of claim 1 wherein said fasteners include pointed penetration temrinal ends on their remote ends for penetrating said upstanding members upon extension of said fasteners.

5. The combination of claim 4 wherein said fasteners include abutment surfaces at the base ends of said terminal ends facing toward said remote ends of said fasteners for abuting said upstanding members and limiting extension of said fasteners and thus penetration of the terminal ends of said fasteners into said upstanding members.

6, The combination of claim 1 wherein said base member is slightly bowed with its opposite ends slightly elevated above the central portion when the threshold member is horizontally disposed and in a static condition, said base member being constructed of stiff but at least slightly resilient and bendable material in order that said base member may be installed in a planar condition with the base member flexed so as to insure tight fitting of the lower side thereof with the underlying floor surface throughout substantially the full length of the base member.

Claims

1. A door threshold assembly for placement in a door frame having opposite side upstanding members, said assembly including an elongated base member having opposite ends and upper and lower sides, a pair of elongated fasteners, means mounting said fasteners from said opposite ends for guided longitudinal shifting relative to and along said base member between retracted positions at least substantially fully recessed within said opposite ends and extended positions with at least the remote ends of said fasteners projecting endwise outwardly of said base member and the adjacent ends of said fasteners supported from said base member, said remote ends of said fasteners being adapted to be anchored to said upstanding members, at least the opposite ends of the upper side of said base member having upwardly opening access openings formed therein providing access to said adjacent ends of said fasteners for engagement therewith by a tool through said access providing openings from above said base member in order to effect shifting of said fastener means from their retracted positions to their extended positions, and wherein said access openings comprise the opposite ends of an upwardly opening full length opening formed in said upper side, said threshold assembly including an elongated lower door edgeto-threshold seal member removably secured in said full length opening and projecting at least slightly above the upper side of said base member, the opposite ends of said seal overlying said fasteners and thus covering the latter from view.

4. The combination of claim 1 wherein said fasteners include pointed penetration terminal ends on their remote ends for penetrating said upstanding members upon extension of said fasteners.

6. The combination of claim 1 wherein said base member is slightly bowed with its opposite ends slightly elevated above the central portion when the threshold member is horizontally disposed and in a static condition, said base member being constructed of stiff but at least slightly resilient and bendable material in order that said base member may be installed in a planar condition with the base member flexed so as to insure tight fitting of the lower side thereof with the underlying floor surface throughout substantially the full length of the base member.