Abstract:
The present disclosure provides a garage door stop and seal system that allows for expansion and contraction, enables replacement of the seal, and provides hidden, or concealed, fasteners. The system includes a door stop that removeably snaps into a receiver, wherein the door stop conceals the fasteners used to connect the receiver to a door jamb. In addition, the door stop includes a receiving space for a replaceable seal.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application incorporates by reference and claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application 61/786,352 filed on Mar. 15, 2013. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     The present subject matter relates generally to a garage door stop and seal system. Specifically, the present invention relates to a garage door stop and seal system including a door stop that conceals fasteners used to attach the system to a door jamb. 
     Seals that are currently on the market do not have concealed fasteners, removable or replaceable seals, and do not allow for expansion and contraction of the door stop. Exposed fasteners detract from the appearance of the home and allow the elements to directly effect the fasteners causing them to rust or discolor. The seals wear out eventually requiring the entire door stop and seal to be replaced. Not allowing for expansion and contraction causes the seals to buckle and warp when the materials expand and contract due to fluctuations in temperature. 
     Accordingly, there is a need for a garage door stop and seal system that allows for expansion and contraction of the door stop and seal. In addition, there is a need for a door stop that conceals fasteners, and enables the replacement of door seals. 
     BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     To meet the needs described above and others, the present disclosure provides a garage door stop system that allows for expansion and contraction of the door stop, enables replacement of the seal, and provides hidden, or concealed, fasteners. 
     The present disclosure provides a snap lock garage door stop and seal system that includes a replaceable seal, which is removable within a door stop. The door stop attaches to a receiver, wherein the door stop conceals fasteners that are used to secure the system to the door jamb. The door stop and the receiver may be extruded from any number of materials including, but not limited to, aluminum, polyvinyl chloride, and polypropylene, among others. In addition, the door stop may include a slot to receive the seal. The receiver and the door stop are designed to allow each to expand and contract independently of each other during, for example, during installation as well as over time due to climate changes. 
     In an embodiment, the garage door stop and seal system includes a receiver that mates with a door stop. The receiver includes a receiver body including a receiver inner surface, a receiver outer surface, a receiver first end, and a receiver second end. The receiver further includes a first receiver tab extending from the receiver first end, and a second receiver tab extending from the second end. 
     The door stop includes a stop body having an stop inner surface, a stop outer surface, a stop first end, and a stop second end. The stop first end includes a slot forming a receiving space, wherein a cross-sectional length of the receiving space is parallel to a cross-sectional length of the stop body. 
     The stop first end includes a first seat configured to removeably receive the first receiver tab, wherein the stop second end includes a second seat configured to removeably receive the second receiver tab. 
     The door stop further includes at least one spacer extending perpendicular from the stop inner surface of the stop body. For example, when the first receiver tab is engaged with the first seat and the second receiver tab is engaged with the second seat, the spacer creates a space between the stop inner surface and the receiver outer surface. 
     In an example, the first receiver tab removeably snaps into the first seat and the second receiver tab removeably snaps into the second seat. In another example, the first receiver tab and the second receiver tab are different shapes. 
     In yet another example, the second stop end includes an incline adjacent to the second seat, wherein the second seat is an angular notch to receive the second receiver tab. 
     The system may further include a seal, wherein a portion of the seal is removeably positioned in the receiving space of the slot. In an example, the slot may be an alligator retainer slot. 
     The receiver may include a receiver opening through the receiver body to receive a fastener. In an example, the system may further include a fastener, wherein at least a portion of the fastener is positioned in the receiver opening, wherein the fastener secures the receiver to a door jamb. When the first receiver tab is engaged with the first seat and the second receiver tab is engaged with the second seat, at least a portion of the fastener may be positioned within a portion of the space between the receiver outer surface and the stop inner surface. 
     In another embodiment, the system may include a door stop and a removable seal, wherein the door stop may not hide the fasteners. In such example, the removable seal may be replaced when needed and is free to expand and contract independently of the snap lock stop. 
     For example, the system may include a garage door stop including a stop body having an stop inner surface and stop outer surface, wherein a stop first end of the stop body includes a slot forming a receiving space, wherein a cross-sectional length of the receiving space is parallel to a cross-sectional length of the stop body. The door stop includes a stop opening through the stop body to receive a fastener. In an example, the door stop includes at least one spacer extending perpendicular from the stop inner surface of the stop body. For example, when the garage door stop is fastened to a door jamb, the spacer creates a space between the stop inner surface and the door jamb. 
     In an example, the receiving space is positioned between the stop inner surface and the stop outer surface of the stop body. The door stop may further include a seal that is removeably positioned in the receiving space of the slot. The door stop may further include a fastener, wherein at least a portion of the fastener is positioned in the stop opening, wherein the fastener secures the stop body to a door jamb. 
     An advantage of the present system is that it is easy to install and aesthetically pleasing. Specifically, the system conceals the seal behind the door stop, which results in the seal being less visible when the garage door is closed. 
     A further advantage of the present system is providing a snap lock receiver and snap lock door stop that may independently expand and contract, which improves the resiliency of the system during various weather conditions. 
     Another advantage of the present system is a configuration that conceals the fasteners used during installation, which allows for an improved seal between the system and the garage door. 
     Yet another advantage of the present system is providing a replaceable seal that may be replaced when the seal is worn without having to replace the entire door stop. Conventional systems typically have a seal integrated into the door stop itself. As a result, in conventional systems the entire door stop must be replaced when the seal has been worn out due to contact with the garage door. 
     Another advantage of the system disclosed herein includes providing an improved appearance of door stops by concealing fasteners, therefore, preventing the fasteners from rusting and discoloration. 
     Additional objects, advantages and novel features of the examples will be set forth in part in the description which follows, and in part will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon examination of the following description and the accompanying drawings or may be learned by production or operation of the examples. The objects and advantages of the concepts may be realized and attained by means of the methodologies, instrumentalities and combinations particularly pointed out in the appended claims. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The drawing figures depict one or more implementations in accord with the present concepts, by way of example only, not by way of limitations. In the figures, like reference numerals refer to the same or similar elements. 
         FIG. 1  is a cross-sectional view of the installed snap lock garage door stop and seal system. 
         FIG. 2  is a cross-sectional side views of the individual parts of the snap lock garage door stop and seal system shown in  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 3  is a cross-sectional view of an installed alternative version of the snap lock garage door stop and seal system. 
         FIG. 4  is a cross-sectional side views of the individual parts of the alternative version of the snap lock garage door stop and seal system shown in  FIG. 3 . 
         FIG. 5  is a cross-sectional view of an example of a seal disclosed herein. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     As shown in  FIG. 1 , in an embodiment, the garage door stop and seal system  10  disclosed herein includes a receiver  12  that mates with a door stop  14 , wherein the receiver  12  is configured to attach to a door jamb. 
       FIG. 2  is an exploded view of an embodiment of the system  10 . As shown, the receiver  12  includes a receiver body  16  including a receiver inner surface  18 , a receiver outer surface  20 , a receiver first end  22 , and a receiver second end  24 . The receiver body  16  may be a generally linear structure that fits flush against a door jamb. 
     The receiver  12  further includes a first receiver tab  26  extending from the receiver first end  22 , and a second receiver tab  28  extending from the second end  24 . The first receiver tab  26  and the second receiver tab  28  may be different shapes. As shown, the first receiver tab  26  may have a shape of an annular knob. The second receiver tab  28  may be in the shape of an angular point. Of course, various shapes may be used for the first receiver tab  26  and the second receiver tab  28 . 
     The door stop  14  includes a stop body  30  having an stop inner surface  32 , a stop outer surface  34 , a stop first end  36 , and a stop second end  38 . The door stop  14  may further include at least one spacer  40  extending perpendicular from the stop inner surface  32  of the stop body  30 . The stop first end  36  and stop second end  38  may also include spacers  40  extending from the stop inner surface  32 . The spacers  40  are configured to enhance the structural integrity of the system  10 . However, even in examples lacking the spacers  40 , the structural integrity of the system is maintained. In addition, when the receiver  12  and the door stop  14  are connected, the spacers  40  maintain a space  62  or void between the receiver outer surface  20  and the stop inner surface  32 . The space  62  created may partially house an end of a fastener  58 , such that the fastener  58  is concealed from the environment and visually from an outside observer. It should be understood that the space  62  exists in examples that do not include the spacers  40 . 
     The stop first end  36  includes a slot  46  forming a receiving space  48 , wherein a cross-sectional length of the receiving space  48  is parallel to a cross-sectional length of the stop body  30 . In an example, the receiving space  48  is positioned between the stop inner surface  32  and the stop outer surface  34  of the stop body  30 . The receiving space  48  is configured to accept at least a portion of a seal  50 . For example, a portion of the seal  50  may be removeably positioned in the receiving space  48  of the slot  46 . In an example, the slot  46  may be an alligator retainer slot. 
     The stop first end  36  includes a first seat  42  configured to removeably receive the first receiver tab  26 . The first seat  42  may be any shape that is suitable to receive the first receiver tab  26 . For example, the first seat  42  is configured to receive the first receiver tab  26  that may have an annular or round knob shape. 
     Similarly, the stop second end  38  includes a second seat  44  configured to removeably receive the second receiver tab  28 . The first seat  42  and the second seat  44  may be different shapes. For example, the second seat  44  may be angular notch  54  to receive the second receiver tab  28  that may have an angular point shape. The stop second end  38  may also an incline  52  adjacent to the second seat  44 . The incline  52  may aid a user in engaging the second receiver tab  28  with the second seat  44  once the first receiver tab  26  has been engaged with the first seat  42 . For example, if a user first engages the first receiver tab  26  with the first seat  42 , a user may guide the second receiver tab  28  over the incline  52 , after which the second receiver tab  28  may slip into the angular notch  54  to secure the receiver  12  to the door stop  14 . 
     The first receiver tab  26  temporarily locks into the first seat  42  and the second receiver tab  28  temporarily locks into the second seat  44 . In an example, the first receiver tab  26  removeably snaps into the first seat  42  and the second receiver tab  28  removeably snaps into the second seat  44 . 
     The receiver  12  may include a receiver opening  56  through the receiver body  16  to receive a fastener  58 . The fastener  58  may be any suitable fastener  58  that secures the receiver  12  to a door jamb. For example, the fastener  58  may be a screw, nail, adhesive, or combinations thereof, among others. At least a portion of a fastener  58  may be positioned in the receiver opening  56 , wherein the fastener  58  secures the receiver  12  to a door jamb. As mentioned above, when the first receiver tab  26  is engaged with the first seat  42  and the second receiver tab  28  is engaged with the second seat  44 , the spacer  40  creates a space  62  between the stop inner surface  32  and the receiver outer surface  20 . At least a portion of the fastener  58  may positioned within a portion of the space  62  between the receiver outer surface  20  and the stop inner surface  32 . For example, when the fastener  58  is a screw, the head of the screw may be positioned within space  62 . As a result the fastener  58  is concealed from the environment and from view. 
     In another embodiment, the system  10  may include a door stop  14  and a removable seal  50 , wherein the door stop  14  may not hide the fasteners  58 . In such example, the removable seal  50  may be replaced when needed and is free to expand and contract independently of the door stop  14 . 
     For example, the system  10  may include a door stop  14  including a stop body  30  having an stop inner surface  32  and stop outer surface  34 , wherein a stop first end  36  of the stop body  30  includes a slot  46  forming a receiving space  48 . A cross-sectional length of the receiving space  48  is parallel to a cross-sectional length of the stop body  30 . 
     The door stop  14  may also include at least one spacer  40  extending perpendicular from the stop inner surface  32  of the stop body  30 . When the garage door stop  14  is fastened to a door jamb, the spacer  40  creates a space  62  between the stop inner surface  32  and the door jamb. 
     The door stop includes a stop opening  60  through the stop body  30  to receive a fastener  58 . The door stop  14  may further include a fastener  58 , wherein at least a portion of the fastener  58  is positioned in the stop opening  60 , wherein the fastener  58  secures the stop body  30  to a door jamb. The fastener  58  may be any suitable fastener  58  that secures the door stop  12  to a door jamb. For example, the fastener  58  may be a screw, nail, adhesive, or combinations thereof, among others. 
     In an example, the receiving space  48  is positioned between the stop inner surface  32  and the stop outer surface  34  of the stop body  30 . The door stop  14  may further include a seal  50  that is removeably positioned in the receiving space  48  of the slot  46 . The removable or replaceable seal  50  creates a seal against a garage door. In an example, the seal  50  may include a vinyl covered foam that allows for fluctuations in the distance between the door stop  14  and the garage door while maintaining an appropriate seal. 
     As shown in  FIG. 5 , the seal  50  may include a folded portion  64  and an installation tab  66 , wherein the installation tab  66  is configured to fit into the receiving space  48 . The seal  50  may be secured in the receiving space  48  by a pressure fit, screw mechanism, or any other suitable removeable connection that allows the seal  50  to be replaced independent of the door stop  14 . As a result, the seal  50  is free to expand and contract independently of the door stop  14 . 
     It should be noted that various changes and modifications to the embodiments described herein will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Such changes and modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention and without diminishing its attendant advantages. For example, various embodiments of the method and portable electronic device may be provided based on various combinations of the features and functions from the subject matter provided herein.