A thermally-broken ornamental door includes a thermally-broken door and a thermally-broken jamb through which thermal transfer is greatly minimized. The thermally-broken door includes an outer panel and an inner panel that are minimally connected through a plurality of door bridging strips. The thermally-broken jamb includes an outer jamb frame and an inner jamb frame that are minimally connected through a plurality of jamb bridging strips. An insulating foam panel is present between the outer panel and the inner panel while an insulating foam core is present between the outer jamb frame and the inner jamb frame. A window assembly is hingedly mounted into the thermally-broken door and includes a retaining spacer frame that minimizes thermal transfer from an exterior environment to an inner window frame through a glass panel of the window assembly. The retaining spacer frame additionally provides structural support to the glass panel.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to an ornamental door. More specifically, the present invention is a thermally-broken ornamental door that minimizes the thermal transfer between an exterior-facing portion and an interior-facing portion of the ornamental door.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Ornamental doors are often utilized to upgrade the aesthetic appeal of a home due to their unique and aesthetically-pleasing appearance. Ornamental doors may be composed of a variety of materials. Wooden doors are favored for their strength and beauty. However, wooden doors are subject to questionable longevity due to the tendency of wood to splinter, rot, and warp over time. As a result, wooden doors require a large amount of maintenance and even then must eventually be replaced. The longevity of steel and fiberglass doors is generally greater than that of wooden doors. However, steel and fiberglass doors are not considered as beautiful as wooden doors, decreasing the overall aesthetic appeal of steel and fiberglass doors. Ornamental iron doors are favored due to a number of inherent advantages over doors composed of alternate materials such as wood, steel, and fiberglass. While ornamental iron doors are aesthetically-pleasing, the doors are not considered to be energy efficient despite the unlikeliness of leaking air or water into a building. This is due to the lack of a thermal break between the exterior environment and the interior environment as the exterior portion of the door is directly connected to the interior portion of the door. The direct connection results in a large amount of thermal transfer from the exterior environment to the interior environment through the door. Because there is no interruption of thermal transfer from the exterior environment to the interior environment, the interior portion of the door becomes cold in the winter and warm in the summer. The lack of a thermal break may additionally result in unwanted condensation forming on the door, particularly if there is high interior humidity.

The present invention is a thermally-broken ornamental door that minimizes thermal transfer between the exterior-facing portion and the interior-facing portion of the ornamental door. The exterior-facing portion and the interior-facing portion of the ornamental door are in minimal contact with each other. The minimized thermal contact between the two portions results in an ornamental door in which thermal transfer between the exterior-facing portion and the interior-facing portion is greatly reduced. Insulation is present between the exterior-facing portion and the interior-facing portion, further reducing thermal transfer. As a result, the temperature of the interior-facing portion is much closer to the ambient interior temperature.

DETAIL DESCRIPTIONS OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is a thermally-broken ornamental door that provides aesthetic appeal while minimizing the amount of thermal transfer between the exterior-facing portion and the interior-facing portion of the ornamental door. The present invention is shown inFIGS. 1-5and comprises a thermally-broken door1and a thermally-broken jamb10.

With continued reference toFIGS. 1-5and with reference toFIG. 6andFIG. 7, the thermally-broken door1is a door that is positioned into the thermally-broken jamb10and may be utilized in the same manner as a conventional door. The thermally-broken door1is designed in a manner to minimize the thermal transfer between the exterior-facing portion and the interior-facing portion of the thermally-broken door1. The thermally-broken door1comprises an outer panel2, an inner panel4, an insulating foam panel7, a door thermal break seal8, and a plurality of door bridging strips9. The outer panel2is the exterior-facing portion of the thermally-broken door1while the inner panel4is the interior-facing portion of the thermally-broken door1. The insulating foam panel7provides thermal insulation by reducing the thermal transfer between the outer panel2and the inner panel4. The plurality of door bridging strips9is utilized to minimally connect the outer panel2to the inner panel4rather than placing the outer panel2and the inner panel4into direct contact with each other.

The plurality of door bridging strips9is perimetrically distributed around a panel outer edge5of the inner panel4. The plurality of door bridging strips9is thus offset from each other in order to provide multiple points of contact between the outer panel2and the inner panel4. The outer panel2is mounted adjacent to the inner panel4by the plurality of door bridging strips9, forming the physical structure of the thermally-broken door1. As previously discussed, the outer panel2and the inner panel4are not in direct contact with each other. The plurality of door bridging strips9provides minimal contact between the outer panel2and the inner panel4, thus minimizing the thermal transfer between the outer panel2and the inner panel4. The insulating foam panel7is positioned in between the outer panel2and the inner panel4in order to further reduce the thermal transfer between the outer panel2and the inner panel4. The temperature of the inner panel4is thus much closer to the ambient interior temperature. In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the insulating foam panel7is closed-cell polyurethane foam.

The door thermal break seal8serves to seal the gap between the outer panel2and the inner panel4that is formed due to the plurality of door bridging strips9that is utilized to connect the outer panel2to the inner panel4. The door thermal break seal8is hermetically connected in between the outer panel2and the inner panel4, preventing air and water from leaking into the gap between the outer panel2and the inner panel4. The door thermal break seal8is positioned about the insulating foam panel7. This ensures that the door thermal break seal8is able to thoroughly seal the gap between the edges of the outer panel2and the inner panel4, preventing exterior elements from leaking in between the outer panel2and the inner panel4. In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the door thermal break seal8traverses along the plurality of door bridging strips9from an outer lateral surface6of the inner panel4to an outer lateral surface6of the outer panel2, fully sealing the gap between the outer panel2and the inner panel4. The door thermal break seal8additionally features insulating properties to minimize thermal transfer between the outer panel2and the inner panel4.

Again with reference toFIGS. 1-5and with reference toFIG. 8, the thermally-broken jamb10serves as a doorframe for the thermally-broken door1and may be installed into an opening in a wall, much like a conventional doorframe. Similar to the thermally-broken door1, the thermally-broken jamb10is designed in a manner to minimize the thermal transfer between the exterior-facing portion and the interior-facing portion of the thermally-broken jamb10. The thermally-broken door1is hingedly mounted into the thermally-broken jamb10, enabling the thermally-broken door1to be opened and closed within the thermally-broken jamb10as needed. The thermally-broken jamb10comprises an outer jamb frame11, an inner jamb frame15, an insulating foam core17, a jamb thermal break seal18, and a plurality of jamb bridging strips19. The outer jamb frame11is the exterior-facing portion of the thermally-broken jamb10while the inner jamb frame15is the interior-facing portion of the thermally-broken jamb10. The outer jamb frame11includes a door stop for the thermally-broken door1when the thermally-broken door1is positioned within the thermally-broken jamb10. The insulating foam core17reduces thermal transfer between the outer jamb frame11and the inner jamb frame15. Finally, the plurality of jamb bridging strips19minimally connects the outer jamb frame11to the inner jamb frame15rather than placing the outer jamb frame11and the inner jamb frame15into direct contact with each other.

The plurality of jamb bridging strips19is perimetrically distributed around a frame outer edge16of the inner jamb frame15. Much like the plurality of door bridging strips9, the plurality of jamb bridging strips19is offset from each other and provides multiple points of contact between the outer jamb frame11and the inner jamb frame15. As with the outer panel2and the inner panel4, the outer jamb frame11and the inner jamb frame15are not placed into direct contact with each other. The outer jamb frame11is mounted adjacent to the inner jamb frame15by the plurality of jamb bridging strips19, forming the physical structure of the thermally-broken jamb10. The plurality of jamb bridging strips19provides minimal contact between the outer jamb frame11and the inner jamb frame15and thus minimizes the thermal transfer between the outer jamb frame11and the inner jamb frame15. The insulating foam core17is positioned in between the outer jamb frame11and the inner jamb frame15in order to further minimize thermal transfer between the outer jamb frame11and the inner jamb frame15. In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the insulating foam core17is closed-cell polyurethane foam, much like the insulating foam panel7.

The jamb thermal break seal18functions much like the door thermal break seal8and seals the gap between the outer jamb frame11and the inner jamb frame15formed by the plurality of jamb bridging strips19utilized to connect the outer jamb frame11to the inner jamb frame15. The jamb thermal break seal18is hermetically connected in between the outer jamb frame11and the inner jamb frame15in order to prevent air and water from leaking into the gap between the outer jamb frame11and the inner jamb frame15. The jamb thermal break seal18is positioned about the insulating foam core17, ensuring that the gap between the outer jamb frame11and the inner jamb frame15is fully sealed. The jamb thermal break seal18includes insulating properties to minimize thermal transfer between the outer jamb frame11and the inner jamb frame15.

Again with reference toFIGS. 1-5and with reference toFIG. 9, the present invention further comprises a window assembly20and a window opening25. The window assembly20provides visibility through the present invention and is positioned within the window opening25. The window opening25is an opening on the thermally-broken door1that accommodates the window assembly20. The window opening25traverses normally through the outer panel2, the inner panel4, and the insulating foam panel7. In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the outer panel2features an ornamental design adjacent to the window opening25. The window assembly20may thus be seated within the outer panel2, the inner panel4, and the insulating foam panel7. The window assembly20is positioned within the window opening25, ensuring that the window assembly20is able to cover and seal the window opening25. In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the window assembly20is hingedly mounted to the inner panel4, enabling the window assembly20to be opened and closed within the window opening25as needed.

The present invention further comprises a window opening thermal break seal34while the window assembly20comprises a glass panel21, a retaining spacer frame22, an inner window frame23, and a window weather seal24. The window opening thermal break seal34is utilized to seal the gap between the outer panel2and the inner panel4adjacent to the window opening25due to the plurality of door bridging strips9that is utilized to connect the outer panel2to the inner panel4. The glass panel21is a clear, partially opaque, or fully opaque glass that provides aesthetic appeal to the window assembly20. The retaining spacer frame22is utilized to hold and support the glass panel21. The retaining spacer frame22additionally provides insulation for the window assembly20by minimizing thermal transfer between the exterior environment, the glass panel21, and the inner window frame23. The inner window frame23is the interior-facing portion of the window assembly20. The window weather seal24is utilized to prevent exterior elements from leaking or otherwise passing through the window assembly20. The window opening thermal break seal34further serves to minimize thermal transfer through the window assembly20.

The window weather seal24is perimetrically connected around the glass panel21, enabling the window weather seal24to prevent leakage along the entire perimeter of the glass panel21. In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the window weather seal24is in contact with both the exterior-facing face and the interior-facing face of the glass panel21. The retaining spacer frame22is perimetrically connected around the window weather seal24and is preferably composed of a thermally non-conductive material. The retaining spacer frame22is thus able to provide structural support to the glass panel21and ensure that the glass panel21remains upright and in place. The positioning of the retaining spacer frame22additionally provides insulation for the glass panel21and reduces thermal transfer from the exterior environment to the inner window frame23through the glass panel21. The retaining spacer frame22is hermetically pressed against the window weather seal24, preventing any leakage or other transfer of elements between the window weather seal24and the retaining spacer frame22. The window weather seal24is hermetically pressed against the glass panel21in order to ensure that the window weather seal24remains fixed in place on the glass panel21and to prevent separation. Additionally, the inner window frame23is hermetically pressed against the window weather seal24, allowing the window weather seal24to seal the gaps between the inner window frame23, the retaining spacer frame22, and the glass panel21. The inner window frame23is hermetically pressed against the retaining spacer frame22, further minimizing leakage through the window assembly20. Because the retaining spacer frame22is preferably composed of thermally non-conductive material, the thermal transfer from the exterior environment to the interior environment through the window assembly20is minimized. The window opening thermal break seal34is hermetically connected in between the outer panel2and the inner panel4, sealing the gap between the outer panel2and the inner panel4adjacent to the window opening25and preventing air and water from leaking into the gap between the outer panel2and the inner panel4. The window opening thermal break seal34is positioned about the window opening25and is thus positioned around the entire perimeter of the window opening25in order to minimize thermal transfer through the window assembly20. The window opening thermal break seal34additionally features insulating properties to minimize thermal transfer between the outer panel2and the inner panel4.

When the window assembly20is in a closed configuration within the window opening25, the gap between the window assembly20and the thermally-broken door1is sealed in order to prevent the passage of exterior elements through the gap. The gap is preferably sealed by an additional weather seal that extends around the perimeter of the window opening25on the thermally-broken door1and is placed into contact with the window assembly20when the window assembly20is in a closed configuration. A stopper plate or similar structure may be utilized as a stop for the window assembly20within the window opening25.

The present invention further comprises a thermally-insulative threshold26. The thermally-insulative threshold26is preferably angled and additionally prevents water from leaking through the thermally-broken door1. The outer jamb frame11comprises a first elongated member12, a second elongated member13, and a cross member14that form the structure of the outer jamb frame11. The first elongated member12and the second elongated member13are oriented parallel to each other and form the vertically-oriented portions of the outer jamb frame11. The cross member14joins the first elongated member12to the second elongated member13and is connected across the first elongated member12and the second elongated member13. The cross member14thus forms the horizontally-oriented portion of the outer jamb frame11. The thermally-insulative threshold26is connected across the first elongated member12and the second elongated member13and is thus positioned to seal the thermally-broken door1and the thermally-broken jamb10to prevent water from passing through and into a building. The cross member14and the thermally-insulative threshold26are positioned opposite to each other along the first elongated member12and the second elongated member13. In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the cross member14is positioned at a top end of the first elongated member12and the second elongated member13while the thermally-insulative threshold26is positioned at a bottom end of the first elongated member12and the second elongated member13. The thermally-insulative threshold26is thus able to prevent water from passing through the bottom of the thermally-broken door1and the thermally-broken jamb10.

The present invention further comprises a door sweep27that is able to engage with the thermally-insulative threshold26in order to seal the gap between the thermally-insulative threshold26and the thermally-broken door1when the thermally-broken door1is closed. In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the door sweep27is insulative and minimizes thermal transfer between the exterior environment and the interior environment when the present invention is in use. The door sweep27is connected along a base edge3of the outer panel2, enabling the door sweep27to engage with the thermally-insulative threshold26when the thermally-broken door1is closed. The thermally-broken door1and the thermally-broken jamb10are shown in a closed configuration inFIGS. 1-5. In the closed configuration, the door sweep27is positioned adjacent to the thermally-insulative threshold26, sealing the gap between the thermally-broken door1and the thermally-insulative threshold26.

As previously discussed, the thermally-broken door1is hingedly mounted into the thermally-broken jamb10while the window assembly20is hingedly mounted to the inner panel4. The aforementioned hinged connections may be accomplished utilizing common hinge mechanisms found in conventional door and window assemblies in order to allow the thermally-broken door1and the window assembly20to pivot about the thermally-broken jamb10and the inner panel4, respectively. In addition to hinges, the present invention additionally includes a door knob assembly that enables the thermally-broken door1to be opened and closed. Similarly, the present invention may additionally include a handle or similar device for aiding in opening and closing the window assembly20. The present invention may include latches or similar means of keeping the window assembly20closed within the window opening25.

The embodiment of the present invention shown inFIG. 10andFIG. 11further comprises a first channel frame28and a second channel frame29. The first channel frame28and the second channel frame29are positioned about the panel outer edge5and are utilized along with the plurality of door bridging strips9to connect the inner panel4to the outer panel2. The first channel frame28and the second channel frame29are preferably composed of the same material as that of the plurality of door bridging strips9. The first channel frame28and the second channel frame29are positioned about the panel outer edge5, similar to the plurality of door bridging strips9for connection to the outer panel2. The first channel frame28and the second channel frame29thus encompass the entire outer perimeter of the inner panel4. The plurality of door bridging strips9is positioned in between the first channel frame28and the second channel frame29. As a result, the plurality of door bridging strips9serves to connect the first channel frame28to the second channel frame29. A door bridging channel31is delineated by an outer lateral surface32of each of the plurality of door bridging strips9and a frame outer edge30of the first channel frame28and the second channel frame29. The door bridging channel31is a gap between the first channel frame28and the second channel frame29that serves to minimally connect the first channel frame28and the second channel frame29through the plurality of door bridging strips9.

With continued reference toFIG. 10andFIG. 11, the first channel frame28and the second channel frame29are positioned about the window opening25. In this case, the first channel frame28and the second channel frame29further serve to connect the inner panel4to the outer panel2. The plurality of door bridging strips9is positioned in between the first channel frame28and the second channel frame29in order to connect the first channel frame28to the second channel frame29. A window bridging channel33is delineated by an outer lateral surface32of each of the plurality of door bridging strips9and a frame outer edge30of the first channel frame28and the second channel frame29. The window bridging channel33is a gap between the first channel frame28and the second channel frame29that serves to minimally connect the first channel frame28and the second channel frame29through the plurality of door bridging strips9.