Abstract:
An architecture is presented for a guard device that enables a homeowner to effectively prevent unwanted elements, such as rainwater, snow, yard and other debris, rodents and the like from accessing the interior of a garage and that is not easily damaged or compromised by rodents chewing or clawing at the guard. More specifically, the guard of the present invention is intended to be secured to a garage door weather seal to create a barrier in the vicinity of the intersection of the garage floor, garage door and door frame that is substantially impenetrable to chewing or clawing by rodents and that can also be used to repair existing damage to the weather seal.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE 
       [0001]    This application claims priority from Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/378,004 filed Aug. 30, 2010. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND 
       [0002]    There oftentimes exist a gap between the perimeter of a garage door and the door frame when a garage door is in the closed position. Unfortunately, the gap permits all kinds of unwanted elements to enter the interior of the garage including, without limitation, rainwater, snow, yard and other debris, and rodents and the like. All of the forgoing elements are undesirable and could result in significant damage to the interior of the garage, or an unclean or unhealthy atmosphere within said garage. 
         [0003]    Heretofore, one solution to the existing problem of undesirable elements entering into a garage interior has been to utilize a garage door weather seal to fill in the gap between the perimeter of a garage door and the garage door frame. However, said weather seals are typically constructed from a flexible rubber or polyvinyl chloride material, which is vulnerable to chewing and clawing by mice and other rodents seeking to gain access to the interior of the garage, particularly in the general vicinity of the intersection of the floor, garage door and garage door frame. Unfortunately, once the weather seal has been damaged or compromised, the homeowner is presented with all of the above referenced problems associated with the gap that exists between garage doors and their respective frames, and are forced to replace the weather seal which can be time consuming and costs and is, therefore, undesirable. Presently, there is no garage door weather seal option that offers a non-chewable material to prevent mice and other rodents from entering the interior of a garage, or worse, the interior of the home. 
         [0004]    Consequently, there exists in the art a long-felt need for a device that enables a homeowner to effectively prevent unwanted elements, such as rainwater, snow, yard and other debris, rodents and the like from accessing the interior of a garage and that is not easily damaged or compromised by rodents chewing or clawing at the device. There also exists a long-felt need for a device that accomplishes the forgoing objectives and that is relatively easy and inexpensive to manufacture and install. Finally, there is a long-felt need for a device that accomplishes all of the forgoing objectives and that can be retrofitted to existing weather seals and garage doors and/or their respective door frames, regardless of whether the same is already damaged. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0005]    The following presents a simplified summary in order to provide a basic understanding of some aspects of the disclosed innovation. This summary is not an extensive overview, and it is not intended to identify key/critical elements or to delineate the scope thereof. Its sole purpose is to present some concepts in a simplified form as a prelude to the more detailed description that is presented later. 
         [0006]    The subject matter disclosed and claimed herein, in one aspect thereof, comprises a guard that enables a homeowner to effectively prevent unwanted elements, such as rainwater, snow, yard and other debris, rodents and the like from accessing the interior of a garage and that is not easily damaged or compromised by rodents chewing or clawing at the device. More specifically, the guard of the present invention is intended to be secured to a garage door weather seal to create a barrier in the vicinity of the intersection of the garage floor, garage door and door frame that is substantially impenetrable to chewing or clawing by rodents and that can also be used to repair existing damage to the weather seal. 
         [0007]    In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the rodent guard is comprised of an elongated strip of relatively thin gauged metal, such as aluminum trim coil, that is folded longitudinally into the general shape of a “V” and that can be attached to prior art weather seal by any common means known in the art including, without limitation, crimping, adhesively, etc. More specifically, the guard is intended to be attached to the weather seal in the general vicinity of the intersection of the garage floor, garage door and the door frame as more fully described below. 
         [0008]    In an alternative embodiment, the guard of the present invention can be offered to consumers in the form of a kit that can be comprised of two guards, cleaning wipes, tape or other adhesive material for further securing the guards to the weather seal as the garage door is repeatedly raised and lowered, and an instruction sheet for advising a user on how to properly install the guards on the weather seal. A crimping or other tool may also be included in the kit to assist the user in installing the guard on the weather seal. 
         [0009]    Additionally, a method of properly installing the guards of the present invention is also described herein. 
         [0010]    To the accomplishment of the foregoing and related ends, certain illustrative aspects of the disclosed innovation are described herein in connection with the following description and the annexed drawings. These aspects are indicative, however, of but a few of the various ways in which the principles disclosed herein can be employed and is intended to include all such aspects and their equivalents. Other advantages and novel features will become apparent from the following detailed description when considered in conjunction with the drawings. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0011]      FIG. 1  illustrates a partial perspective view of a prior art weather seal attached to a garage door frame at the intersection of the garage door frame and a garage floor. 
           [0012]      FIG. 2  illustrates a perspective view of the guard of the present invention. 
           [0013]      FIG. 2A  illustrates a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of the guard of the present invention. 
           [0014]      FIG. 3  illustrates a partial perspective view of one embodiment of the guard of the present invention installed on a prior art weather seal attached to a garage door frame in the vicinity of the intersection of the garage door frame and the garage floor. 
           [0015]      FIG. 3A  illustrates a top view of the guard of the present invention installed on a prior art weather seal. 
           [0016]      FIG. 4  illustrates a perspective view of a kit comprising two guards, a cleaning wipe, adhesive tape and an instruction sheet. 
           [0017]      FIG. 5  illustrates a table illustrating the preferred method of installation of the guard of the present invention. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0018]    The innovation is now described with reference to the drawings, wherein like reference numerals are used to refer to like elements throughout. In the following description, for purposes of explanation, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding thereof. It may be evident, however, that the innovation can be practiced without these specific details. 
         [0019]    By way of background,  FIG. 1  illustrates a partial perspective view of a prior art garage door frame  10 , weather seal  20 , a garage door  30  in a partially raised position, and a garage floor  40 . More specifically, prior art weather seal  20  is typically an elongated strip of flexible rubber or polyvinyl chloride material that is longitudinally attached to prior art garage door frame  10  in a manner that is well known in the art. Weather seal  20  is meant to seal or cover the gap (not shown) that exists between a prior art garage door  30  and its respective garage door frame  10  when garage door  30  is in the closed position, meaning garage door  30  is in contact with prior art floor  40 . Unfortunately, as previously stated, weather seal  20  is only a short-term solution to the problems associated with said gap (not shown) because weather seal  20  is susceptible to damage caused by rodents  50  chewing and clawing at weather seal  20  to gain access to the interior  60  of the garage. 
         [0020]      FIG. 2  depicts a perspective view of the guard  100  of the present invention. In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, guard  100  is an elongated generally “V” shaped member  120  comprised of two legs  140  connected to one another by a corner  160 . Elongated member  120  further comprises an interior surface  170  and an exterior surface  180 . In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, interior surface  170  may further comprise at least one raised surface portion or indentation  190 , the purposes of which will be further described in further detail below. Guard  100  is preferably the same color as weather strip  20  and/or door frame  10  to as to blend in and provide for an aesthetically pleasing appearance once installed. 
         [0021]    Unless otherwise stated, all components of guard  100  are preferably comprised of a relatively light-weight and thin gauged metal such as aluminum trim coil. Nonetheless, it is contemplated that other materials could also be used, such as tin, copper, iron, zinc and the like, provided that said materials are not susceptible to damage caused by chewing and/or clawing of rodents  50 . 
         [0022]    Elongated member  120  is preferably between 2 and 14 inches in length, although it is contemplated that elongated member  120  could be longer or shorter to suit user preference, provided that elongated member  120  is of sufficient length to deter or prevent chewing or clawing of weather seal  20  by rodent  50 . 
         [0023]    Each of legs  140  are preferably ½ to 1¼ inches in width, as measured from corner  160  to the edge of leg  140 , though it is contemplated that the width of each of legs  140  could vary to suit user preference, provided that the width of leg  140  is sufficient to substantially cover weather seal  20  when properly installed as further described below. It is also contemplated that at least one end of legs  140  could be cut at an angle, as best depicted in  FIG. 2A , to allow for smooth passage of garage door  30  past guard  100  when installed on weather seal  20 , as will be further described below. 
         [0024]      FIG. 3  depicts a partial perspective view of one embodiment of the guard  100  of the present invention installed on a prior art weather seal  20  which is, in turn, attached to prior art garage door frame  10  in the general location of the intersection of garage door frame  10  and prior art garage floor  40 . When properly installed, guard  100  is used to prevent or reduce the likelihood of rodents  50  accessing garage interior  60  by chewing or clawing their way through the previously exposed weather seal  20 . The proper installation of guard  100  is further described below.  FIG. 3A  depicts a top view of guard  100  properly installed on prior art weather seal  20 . 
         [0025]    It is also contemplated that guard  100  could be presented to consumers and/or users as part of a kit  200 . More specifically,  FIG. 4  depicts a kit  200  comprised of two guards  100 , a wipe  220 , tape  240  and an instruction sheet  260 , the purpose of each of which will be described further below. More specifically, kit  200  includes at least two guards  100  so that a guard  100  can be installed on the weather seal  20  on each side of the garage door frame  10 . Nonetheless, it is also contemplated that kit  200  could be further comprised of additional or replacement guards  100  and/or other tools (not shown), such as a crimping tool or pliers and the like, to make installation of guard  100  even easier on the user as described below. 
         [0026]    Cleaning wipe  220  can be any prior art cleaning wipe or towelette known in the art and that is used for cleaning a surface so that paint and/or tape can thereafter be securely applied thereto. Wipes  220  are believed to be readily available at most department stores and other places that commonly sell cleaning supplies. Similarly, adhesive tape  240  can be any durable prior art tape that is known in the art, and is also known to be readily available in most department and convenient stores. Tape  240 , the purpose of which will be described further below, is preferably the same color as guard  100  and/or weather seal  20  to provide for an aesthetically pleasing appearance once properly installed. 
         [0027]    Now that the individual components of guard  100  and kit  200  have been described, the method of installing guard  100  on prior art weather seal  20  will now be described. The process of installing guard  100  on weather seal  20  is also depicted in  FIG. 5 , and a properly installed guard  100  is depicted in  FIGS. 3 and 3A . 
         [0028]    While, for purposes of simplicity of explanation, the one or more methodologies shown herein (e.g., in the form of a flow chart or flow diagram) are shown and described as a series of acts, it is to be understood and appreciated that the subject innovation is not limited by the order of acts, as some acts may, in accordance therewith, occur in a different order and/or concurrently with other acts from that shown and described herein. For example, those skilled in the art will understand and appreciate that a methodology could alternatively be represented as a series of interrelated states or events, such as in a state diagram. Moreover, not all illustrated acts may be required to implement a methodology in accordance with the innovation. 
         [0029]    Prior to installing guard  100  onto weather seal  20 , it is preferred that user (not shown) prepare weather seal  20  and garage door frame  10  by cleaning  500  the surfaces thereof with, for example, wipe  220  to insure a secure connection between guard  100  and weather seal  20 . More specifically, any existing dirt, grime, grease and/or loose paint should be removed from the portion of weather seal  20  and garage door frame  10  where guard  100  and tape  240  will be applied. 
         [0030]    Once weather seal  20  has been properly cleaned  500 , user will position or locate  520  guard  100  along weather seal  20  in the general vicinity of where door frame  10  and weather seal  20  intersect with garage floor  40 , although it is contemplated that guard  100  can be installed anywhere along weather seal  20  that user desires. For example, a user may desire to locate multiple guards  100  along the entire length of weather seal  20 , or only at desired locations. 
         [0031]    Once weather seal  20  has been properly cleaned  500  and an appropriate location along weather seal  20  selected, user will install  540  guard  100  on weather seal  20  by placing it over weather seal  20  such that weather seal  20  is in contact with at least a portion of the interior surface  170  of elongated member  120 . At such time, user may apply pressure to the exterior surface  180  of elongated member  120 , thereby pushing each of legs  140  generally towards weather seal  20  and in the direction of each other. As the interior surface  170  of elongated member  120  is brought into further contact with weather seal  20 , raised surface portions  190  on interior surface  170  will become imbedded or lodged in weather seal  20 , thereby further attaching guard  100  to weather seal  20 . In a preferred method of installation, user may also use a crimping tool (not shown), such as pliers, vice-grips or the like, to further clamp guard  100  onto weather seal  20 . As previously mentioned, at least one of legs  140  may be cut at an angle as depicted in  FIG. 2A  to ensure smooth passage of garage door  30  past guard  100  (i.e., to prevent garage door  30  from catching on or damaging guard  100  when being closed). Properly installed guards  100  are depicted in  FIGS. 3 and 3A . 
         [0032]    Once guard  100  has been properly installed  540  on weather seal  20 , tape  240  can be used to further secure  560  guard  100  to weather seal  20 . More specifically, adhesive tape  240  is preferably installed by placing tape  240  adjacent to door frame  10  and over both a portion of one leg  140  and a portion of adjacent weather seal  20  thereby covering up or concealing the seam created by guard  100  and weather seal  20  and allowing for a smoother transition between the end of the guard  100  and weather seal  20 . Tape  240  is then folded over exterior surface  180  to the edge of the opposite leg  140  and the corresponding portion of weather seal  20 . In a preferred embodiment, tape  240  is approximately 2 inches long and covers approximately 1 inch of guard  100  and 1 inch of the adjacent weather seal  20 . Tape  240  is preferably approximately 3 inches in width and preferably extends from the edge of one leg  140 , around corner  160  and to the edge of the opposite leg  140 . Tape  240  may also overlap a portion of door frame  10  or cut to user preference. 
         [0033]    Importantly, guard  100  can be installed on new or damaged weather seal  20 , thereby permitting users to repair damaged weather seal  20  without having to replace the same, which can be costly and time-consuming and, therefore, undesirable. 
         [0034]    What has been described above includes examples of the claimed subject matter. It is, of course, not possible to describe every conceivable combination of components or methodologies for purposes of describing the claimed subject matter, but one of ordinary skill in the art may recognize that many further combinations and permutations of the claimed subject matter are possible. Accordingly, the claimed subject matter is intended to embrace all such alterations, modifications and variations that fall within the spirit and scope of the appended claims. Furthermore, to the extent that the term “includes” is used in either the detailed description or the claims, such term is intended to be inclusive in a manner similar to the term “comprising” as “comprising” is interpreted when employed as a transitional word in a claim.