Abstract:
The present invention discloses a door, preferably an exterior or entry door that swings outwardly, with a modular insert including movable screening and a glass panel that allows for seasonal use of the door and ready replacement of existing doors that have a standard glass insert or retrofitting of a door that has no insert at all.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/270,294, filed Dec. 21, 2015, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. 
     
    
     FIELD OF INVENTION 
       [0002]    This invention relates to doors, and more particularly entry or exterior doors where it is desired to have a single door that includes an insert that is capable of allowing ambient air flow past the door. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0003]    It is known to provide an inward opening exterior door with an exterior storm or screen door to provide a cased opening that allows for the passage of light and air. In such a conventional arrangement, the storm door is positioned to the exterior of the entry door, and is hinged along the hanging stile of the door to the same jam as the entry door. The storm door is typically lighter in weight than the entry door, and maybe made of any suitable material, including aluminum, wood or vinyl. The entry door, is typically more substantial conventionally having a greater depth. For example, standard entry door depth is one and three-quarter inches (1¾″) whereas a standard storm door may be one inch (1″) or less. Of course, both storm doors and entry doors are sized to fit conventional opening of thirty-six inches (36″) by eighty inches (80″). 
         [0004]    Moreover, storm doors are known to incorporate panes of glass or screens or both. Some storm doors including screens that are conventionally and fixedly mounted to the storm door frame to cover an opening in the storm door. Other storm doors include glass panes that are similarly fixedly mounted to the storm door frame. Still other storm doors are known with screens that a fixed to the frame with a sliding glass pane. With such doors, the panes can typically be secured or supposed into a plurality of positions depending on the user&#39;s preference. In warmer times, the glass pane is opened to the greatest extent possible to allow for maximum audient air flow past the storm door. A user may desire to open any associated entry door in an inward direction so that ambient air is introduced to the interior of a structure. In cooler times, the glass pane is closed to preclude cold air from passing through the opening, and in conjunction with the entry door, thereby prevent cold air from entering the interior of the structure. 
         [0005]    It is further known to provide an entry door with a decorative glass insert. In such an arrangement, the entry door is fitted with an insert of glass that may range in size to that desired by the user. For example, known insert sizes for a standard door include: 
         [0000]    
       
         
           
             
               
                 
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         [0000]    The foregoing sizes may be modified to fit a particular end use, and customized as desired. The inserts are conventionally provided with hardware such as screws or clips or both that allow the inserts to be removed from the door frame and replaced or reinserted. 
         [0006]    Many people find a storm door to be unattractive or aesthetically detracts from an entry door. Thus, particularly in warmer climates, many people choose not to use a storm door and, instead prefer a single entry door. However, it is also known to desire the benefits of a storm door or the benefits of a storm door with a screen/glass panel arrangement. Such benefits can be particularly desirable in certain climates where it is appropriate or necessary for an entry door to swing open to the outside. For example, it is recognized, and required in many coastal, hurricane prone areas that an entry door must swing to the outside. Such a requirement effectively forecloses any use of an exterior storm door. For many, such an arrangement likewise precludes the use of any exterior screen door or screen and glass panel door. 
         [0007]    Thus, there is a need in the prior art that allows for a replaceable insert that can allow for air flow used maintain interior temperature coordinates for use with entry doors, particularly entry doors that swing outwards. 
       SUMMARY OF INVENTION 
       [0008]    The present invention addresses the above-described and other needs in the prior art by providing a combination screen, storm and exterior door with an insert. This summary is provided to introduce certain concepts, to identify certain examples, and not necessarily to address all embodiments in accordance with the description of the invention herein and below. The description of exemplary embodiments is not intended to limit the scope of the invention as set forth in the claims. 
         [0009]    More particularly, the present invention may be described in multiple embodiments, one of which includes an insert with a retractable screen and glass panel combination suitable for retention within a standard, outward opening entry or exterior door. Thus, in one embodiment, the present invention is able to provide a single exterior door that may include the flexibility of storm door type features in an outwardly opening door. In another embodiment, the present invention further provides a door insert that can be installed and removed easily. A preferred door is constructed to fit in a standard interior or exterior doorway without modifications to the jambs, threshold or header. In another embodiment, a preferred insert can be retrofitted to an existing door for said doorway, even if the door did not already provide an insert. A preferred insert can also be a replacement for a door that already included an insert. Further, in yet another embodiment, a preferred insert includes a retractable screened opening and glass panel to allow air flow or to seal the door, particularly if the entry door is to be an outswing door. 
         [0010]    Other aspects, features and advantages will be apparent from a review of the detailed description in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0011]      FIG. 1  is a front plan and perspective, illustration showing a door and an insert capable of embodying the present invention. 
           [0012]      FIG. 2  is a perspective view showing an exterior door in accordance with the present invention. 
           [0013]      FIG. 3  is a perspective view showing an insert in accordance with the present invention.  FIG. 3 a    is a side view showing an insert in accordance with the present invention. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0014]    Before embodiments of the present disclosure are described in detail, it is to be understood that the apparatus, methods and systems are not limited to specific methods, specific components, specific feature, specific systems or particular compositions. The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be, and is not, limiting. The term “exemplary” means “an example” or an “example of” and is not meant to convey a meaning of an ideal or a preferred embodiment or feature. The term “such as” is merely explanatory and indicative that any recited items are examples of what is covered by a stated feature or provision; it is not intended to restrict or to be restrictive. 
         [0015]    Further, this disclosure is of components and features that can be used to perform the disclosed methods, apparatus or systems. When combinations, subsets, interactions, groups, etc. of such components are disclosed, even when reference is not explicitly made to all possible combinations or permutations, each is contemplated and described for all methods, apparatus and systems. This applies to all aspects of the disclosed invention, including method steps. Thus, if additional steps may be performed, it is understood that such additional steps may be performed with a specific disclosed embodiment or combination of embodiments. 
         [0016]      FIG. 1  shows a standard exterior door in accordance with the present invention generally at 10. The door  12  is mounted in a frame indicated generally at 14. The frame  14  includes a heading  16 , a hinge jamb  18 , a latch jamb  20  and a threshold  22 . The door  12  includes a top rail  25 , a bottom rail  27 , a hanging stile  29  and a latch stile  31 . A door knob  33  is provided in the latch stile  31  that may include and cooperate with a latch/lock set as is known in the art. It will be appreciated that the door  12  is hung upon three hinges  36 ,  38  and  40  that are secured and operate as also known in the art. Further, the exterior door  12  is oriented so as to swing in an outward manner, as shown by the arrow  50 . It should be understood that the door  12  may be constructed so as to “open” or “swing” in any desired manner, including in an inward direction as represented by the dotted line arrow  60  as shown in  FIG. 1 . The person of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that the present invention may be embodied in multiple door constructions, including, sliding doors, pocket doors, etc. 
         [0017]    Yet further, the door  12  includes an insert indicated generally at  70 , which includes a glass panel  72 . The insert  70  is described in greater detail below, but the person of ordinary skill will recognize that entry or exterior doors with glass inserts are known in the art and conventionally used with or without a storm door (not shown). If a storm door is present, the door  12  necessarily opens in an inward direction as represented by the arrow  60 . The mere presence of the storm door, which rests to the exterior of the door  12 , requires such an operation of the entry door  12 . However, as noted above, there are instances where an exterior door is preferable constructed so as to open to the exterior as represented by arrow  50 ? In such an instance, it is impossible to provide a conventional storm door because it would preclude opening of the entry door  12 . And, since the door  12  shown in  FIG. 1  is without an opening, it is not possible to close the door  12  and receive any ambient air flow from the exterior of the structure that includes the door  12 . 
         [0018]      FIG. 2  similarly show a door  12 , with frame elements of a top rail  25 , a bottom rail  27 , a hanging rail  29  and a latch rail  31 . It will be appreciated that standard door dimension such as 36×80 may be utilized for provision of the door  12 . Further, a standard door depth of one and three-quarter inches (1 ¾″) may be used for the door  12 . As shown, the door  12  is a sufficient depth to receive an insert, indicated generally at  70 . The insert  70  include two substantially identical frame members  75   a  and  75   b , each of which include respective top rails  77   a  and  77   b , bottom rails  79   a  and  79   b , a side rail  81   a  and  81   b , and an opposing side rail  83   a  and  83   b . The frame elements  75   a  and  75   b  are secured matingly one to the other by a plurality of fasteners  86  that engage securing elements  88 . The fasteners  86  may comprise bolts and/or screws that extend through openings frame  90   a  and  90   b ,  91   a  and  91   b ,  92   a  and  92   b ,  93   a  and  93   b ,  94   a  and  94   b  and  95   a  and  95   b  to engage respective nuts  96 . 
         [0019]    The present invention illustrated in  FIG. 2  further includes an insert member  100 . As shown, the insert member  100  is configured to be received by and between insert frame members  75   a  and  75   b . The fasteners  86  may engage the insert member  100  to maintain its position, as described in more detail below. The insert member  100  includes frame members including a top rail  105 , a bottom rail  107 , a side rail  109  and an opposing side rail  111 . The frame members support at least two respective channels  113   a  and  113   b  in side rails  109  and  111 . The channels receive a pair of glass panels  116  and  118 . As shown in  FIG. 2 , glass panels  116  and  118  are side-by-side, immediately one behind the other. The insert member  100  further includes a screened portion  120 . It will be appreciated that panel  118  may slid vertically to cover the screening  120  so as to provide a glass front such that glass panel  118  rests at the top of the insert  100 . It is to be understood that the insert frame members such as  105 ,  107 ,  109  and  111  may include apertures for receipt of a fastener  86  to support the insert  100  in the opening defined in the door  12 , between the frame members  75   a  and  75   b . In fact, such openings may be threaded so as to thread-ably engage the fasteners  86 . Alternatively, the door  12  may be constructed or configured to receive and support the insert within the opening without using the fasteners  86 . A friction fit, or separate and distinct fasteners, may be used as desired. The person of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that there are many different and varied ways of mounting and maintaining the insert  100  within the door  12  that are within the spirt and scope of the present invention. 
         [0020]      FIG. 3  shows an embodiment of an insert  200  in accordance with the present invention. In this embodiment, the insert  200  includes a series of apertures  205   a ,  205   b ,  205   c ,  205   d ,  205   e , and  205   f  that are configured and located to be engaged by fasteners  86  so as to secure and retain the insert  200  within the frame members  75   a  and  75   b . It will be appreciated that the apertures  205   a - 205   f  may be threaded so as to engage the fasteners  86 , if so desired. It will be appreciated that the insert  200  includes a lower glass panel  216 , a second glass panel  218  and a screen  220 , as shown in  FIGS. 3 and 3   a . Referring in more detail to  FIG. 3 a   , the insert  200  includes a first an opposing pair of channels  213   a  and a second opposing pair of channels  213   b  positioned on opposite inner side walls of the insert  200 . The pair of channels  213   a  and  213   b  are essentially identical, and thus only one is described in detail herein. The opposing set of channels  213   a  are configured to extend along and located in the lower front portion of the insert  200 . The channels  213   a  define side rails that receive the glass panel  216 , which as shown in  FIG. 3  sits to the front side of the insert  200 . The second opposing set of channels  213   b  are configured to extend along and located across the entire opposing inner side walls of the insert  200 . The channels  213   b  define side rails that receive and facilitate slid able movement of the glass panel  218 , which as shown in  FIG. 3  sits to the rear or interior side of the insert  200 . 
         [0021]    The screen  220  is secured about a tractable, biased rotating roller  301  that is secured within the upper rail portion of the insert  200 . While not necessary from a functional standpoint, the roller  301  and associated screen  220  may thus be hidden from view for aesthetic reasons. The screen  220  may be biased about the roller  301  in a shade-like manner so as to be urged into a withdrawn position such that, if left to its own devices, the screen  220  would be fully withdrawn and remain withdrawn (and fully maintained about the roller  301 ) into the top rail of the insert  200 . Such biasing may be accomplished by a known winding mechanism (not shown) or any other suitable mechanism known to the person of ordinary skill in the art. The distal end of the screen  220  is attached to the uppermost portion of the glass panel  218  that rests within the opposing set of channels  213   b . The method of attachment may be by glue, fasteners, or any other suitable device, and would preferably be accomplished in such a manner as to insure that there is no gap or opening between the screen material  220  and the top of the panel  218 . As a result, movement of the glass panel  218  within its respective side rails as defined by opposing channels  213   b  will result in a corresponding movement of the screen  220 . If the glass panel  218  is lowered to its lowermost position, as shown in  FIG. 3 , the screen  220  is extended to its maximum position and, as such, a screened opening is provided through which ambient air can pass the insert  200  into a dwelling secured by a door  12 . Alternatively, if the glass panel  218  is moved within its side rails to its uppermost position, the opening defined by the insert  200  is fully closed by means of the glass panels  216  and  218 , and the screen  220  is withdrawn about the roller  301  within the upper rail of the insert  200 . It will be appreciated that regardless of its position, the biasing of the screen  220  about the roller  301  allows for the screen to be fully engaged with and extended to meet the top surface of glass panel  218 . Thus, the screen could be secured by a latch, detent or other mechanism (not shown) at discrete positions along the opposing channels  213   b , shown by way of example at points  310 ,  312  or  314 , which would progressively reduce the size of the screen opening in the insert  200  in accordance with a user&#39;s preference. 
         [0022]    It will further be appreciated that the glass panels  216  and  218  may be fitted with weatherproofing material or the like in order to provide a greater level of protection to the interior of a dwelling or other structure. For example, the base of the glass panel  218  may be fitted with a weather proofing strips of material  325  and  326 . Such a weather proofing (or water proofing) material may be cloth, rubber, polyvinyl chloride, silicone, or any like or suitable material that is effective to weatherize the opening. For example, the weatherproofing material  325  would be effective to preclude the introduction of air or water or other undesired element that may seek to intrude between the top of panel  216  and the bottom of panel  218  when the inner panel  218  is raised to its uppermost position. Similarly, weather proofing strip of material  326  would be effective to preclude the introduction of air or water or other undesired element that may seek to intrude between the top of the panel  218  and the top rail of the insert  200  when the panel is at it uppermost position. Yet further, it will be appreciated that the side, top and bottom surfaces of the insert  200  may be fitted with weather stripping material to similarly preclude the introduction of unwanted elements about the insert  200  as it is secure within the door  12 . Two examples of such weather proofing materials portions are shown at  329  and  327  in  FIG. 3 . Such weather-stripping (or water proofing material) may be attached or secured in a suitable manner including by screws or other fasteners, glue, or any other suitable device. 
         [0023]    Therefore, it is to be understood that the present invention is suitable for use in hurricane-prone areas and, accordingly, the insert  100  may be mounted with weather stripping placed about its periphery to insure a proper seal and protection, as is shown and described in more detail herein. The use and securing of weather stripping within and about a door is known to the person of ordinary skill, and known methods may be used in relation to the insert. A primary purpose of the door will be to withstand extreme wind, prevent intrusion of matter and debris, and to generally protect against storm damage. The fasteners  86  and weather stripping may therefore be selected to meet, and possible exceed, such conditions. Regardless, in typical non-storm related use and in extreme weather conditions, the present invention is suitable for use in an outward opening door  12  (see arrow  50 ), the glass panels  116  and  118  can be manipulated so as to for a substantially airtight barrier for cold weather (See  FIG. 1 ) or provide an opening for ambient air (see  FIG. 2 ). Such an arrangement and flexibility is well suited for those regions or areas where an outward opening door is required such as in hurricane prone areas where an outward opening exterior door may be required. Further, it is to be appreciated that the present invention is not limited to a particular size of door  12  or insert  100 , as the teachings of the present disclosure are applicable to any size door and insert. Further, the teachings of the present disclosure are also applicable to a combination of doors, such as double entry (or “French”) doors, and to door panels that may be fixed (sometimes in conjunction with another door). 
         [0024]    While this specification contains many specific implementation details, these should not be construed as limitations on the claims. Certain features that are described in this specification in the context of separate implementations may also be implemented in combination in a single implementation. Conversely, various features that are described in the context of a single implementation may also be implemented in multiple implementations separately or in any suitable sub-combination. Moreover, although features may be described above as acting in certain combinations and even initially claimed as such, one or more features from a claimed combination may in some cases be excised from the combination, and the claimed combination may be directed to a sub-combination or variation of a sub-combination. 
         [0025]    Similarly, while operations may be depicted in the drawings in a particular order or arrangement, this should not be understood as requiring that such operations be performed in the particular order or arrangement shown or in any sequential order, or that all illustrated operations or arrangements be performed, to achieve desirable results. In certain circumstances, multitasking and parallel processing may be advantageous. Moreover, the separation of various system components in the implementations described above should not be understood as requiring such separation in all implementations, and it should be understood that the described components and systems may generally be integrated together in a single product or packaged into multiple products.