Sliding-Door and Sliding-Screen Sill

The present invention relates generally to sliding-door and sliding-screen sills, but more particularly to elements for rebuilding door sills for existing sliding-door/sliding-screen combinations.

Within recent years, particularly in the more temperate climates, relatively large sliding-doors and screens have been utilized for doorways of residential buildings. In such areas, a greater emphasis is placed on activities out of doors, and therefore patio doors having large glass and screen panels are particularly popular.

Typically, such sliding-door and sliding-screen structures are framed with aluminum extrusions which define the door jambs as well as the door sill including the rails whereon the doors are caused to slide or roll. However, after considerable exposure of such aluminum extrusions to salt air and varying temperatures, the door sills become inoperable and hence must be replaced. Heretofore, it has been necessary to replace the entire door, screen and the entire door frame including the sill -- a considerable expense merely because of the loss of the sill itself.

Such replacement of the entire door structure has been necessary because the particular extrusions which define the separation between adjacent door rails as well as their location relative to the wood underframe are no longer available. Each manufacturer designs his own extrusions, and if such manufacturer is no longer in business, the proper extrusions are no longer available.

The present invention has as one of its principal objects, the provision of extrusions whereby an installer can, in the field, rebuild a sliding-door/sliding-screen sill in accordance with the existing positions of the sliding door and screen.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a sliding-door/sliding-screen sill as characterized above which can be properly built and installed in the field without the need for any special or unusual tools or any special skills.

A still further object of the present invention is to provide a sliding-door/sliding-screen sill as characterized above which is formed almost exclusively of extruded aluminum parts which can be easily and quickly made to conform to existing dimensions in the field.

An even further object of the present invention is to provide a sliding-door/sliding-screen sill as characterized above which is simple and inexpensive to manufacture and which is rugged and dependable in operation.

The novel features which I consider characteristic of my invention are set forth with particularity in the appended claims. The invention itself, however, both as to its organization and mode of operation, together with additional objects and advantages thereof, will best be understood from the following description of specific embodiments when read in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a sliding-door/sliding-screen combination according to the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a fragmentary sectional view taken substantially along line 2--2 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a foundation member used in the subject door and screen sill;

FIG. 4 is a further rail member for use therein;

FIG. 5 is a second rail member for use in the subject door/screen sill;

FIG. 6 is an end view of the rail member of FIG. 5 showing a portion being broken away;

FIG. 7 is an end elevational view showing one possible arrangement of parts; and

FIG. 8 is an end elevational view showing another possible arrangement of parts.

Like reference characters indicate corresponding parts throughout the several views of the drawings.

Referring to FIG. 1 of the drawings, there is shown therein a sliding-door/sliding-screen assembly 10 which includes door frame members 10a, 10b and 10c as well as a sill 12. In addition thereto, the assembly 10 includes a stationary glass panel 14, a movable screen 16 and a movable glass panel 18, a portion of which is shown most particularly in FIG. 2 of the drawings. Typically, the stationary panel 14 is firmly mounted in the frame and on sill 12. The screen panel 16 and glass panel 18, on the other hand, are slideable on rails between open and closed positions.

Most typically, the sill of such sliding-door and sliding-screen assembly 10 will deteriorate requiring replacement as shown most particularly in FIG. 2 of the drawings.

Shown in FIG. 3 of the drawings is an L-shaped foundation member 20 which is made of aluminum by the extrusion process and thus can be cut to substantially any desired length. Such foundation member is L-shaped having a long side 20a and a short side 20b.

Shown in FIG. 4 is a first rail member 22 having a base 22a and an upstanding rail 22b. This member is also formed of aluminum by the extrusion process and hence can be cut to substantially any length. The rail 22b is substantially centrally located on base 22a and extends the entire length thereof. As shown in FIG. 4, rail 22b is formed with a generally arcuate or semi-circular top surface 22c to accommodate the roller of a sliding-door as shown in FIG. 2 of the drawings, and as will hereinafter be more fully explained.

On either side of rail 22b and formed in or on base 22a is a plurality of break-notches 22d which extend the entire length of the member 22 and which are generally V-shaped such as to afford a continuous indentation as shown.

In FIG. 5 of the drawings is a second rail member 24 which is formed of aluminum by the extrusion process, and comprises a base 24a and a rail 24b. Such rail is also formed with a generally curved or arcuate top edge 24c, and break-notches 24d are formed in the base 24a as shown.

A spacer of substantially any desired design is also utilized, and is preferably formed of aluminum by the extrusion process. One such design is shown at 26 in FIGS. 2, 7 and 8 of the drawings, such spacer being generally U-shaped and provided with a plurality of ribs as shown at 26a.

As shown in FIG. 2 of the drawings, after the deteriorated door/screen sill has been removed, the position of the foundation member 20 can be determined with respect to the width of the door frame and things adjacent thereto such as carpeting, flooring and the like. Thereafter, the position of the sliding glass door 18 can be determined so as to thereby define the position of the rail member 22 on the foundation member 20. At the same time, the position of the second rail member 24 can be determined as defined by the position of the sliding-door/screen 16 relative to the foundation member. Since the members 22 and 24, for proper appearance and operation, should be juxtaposed on the upper surface of side 20a of foundation member 20, it will be necessary to adjust the width of one or the other or both of members 22 and 24. This is easily accomplished by the use of pliers or vice grips to break away a portion of the length of either or both of such members 22 and 24. This procedure is shown in FIG. 6 wherein the extrusion 24 is being broken away along one of the break-notches 24d.

By suitable adjustment of the widths of members 22 and 24 the rails 22b and 24b can be properly spaced and properly positioned on the foundation member 20, without a gap appearing between the bases 22a and 24a and without any overlapping. In this regard, it is contemplated that the distance between the parallel break-notches on the members 22 and 24 can vary so that different combinations can be provided to define different spacing distances between the rails 22b and 24b.

It is also contemplated that the outer edges of the members 22 and 24 which are parallel with the respective rails might be beveled so as to cooperate with the edge which results from the aforedescribed breaking away of a portion of the base member so as to provide a pleasing appearing V-shape indentation. This is consistent with and similar to the remaining break-notches which would not have been used to vary the width of the respective rail member.

With the members 22 and 24 firmly secured to the foundation member 20 as by riveting, screwing, gluing or the like, the entire assembly provides a sill, including a threshold for the sliding-screen 16 and sliding-door 18. Several rollers mounted on door 18, one of which is shown at 18a in FIG. 2, are covered to roll on the arcuate upper surface of rail 22b. In like fasion several rollers on the screen-door 16, one being shown at 16a, are caused to roll on rail 24b. The U-shaped spacer 26 can be positioned between the door 18 and the short side 20b in inverted position, to match the level of the interior of the house or other building.

FIGS. 7 and 8 show various different combinations of variation in the width of the bases of the rail members 22 and 24.

It is thus seen that the present invention provides a sliding-door/sliding-screen sill which can be adapted to substantially any existing sliding-door and sliding-screen. Although I have shown and described certain specific embodiments of my invention, I am well aware that many modifications thereof are possible. The invention itself is not to be restricted except insofar as is necessitated by the prior art and by the spirit of the appended claims.