Abstract:
A sealing device for a door, and in particular for a garage door, for sealing the door and frame to facilitate the exclusion of elements, such as, for example, draughts, wind, rain, snow, insects, and the like, with a first part or base provided for mounting to a supporting surface, and a second part constructed to attach to the first part, the second part carrying a sealing element.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION  
       [0001]    This Application claims priority to Provisional Application Serial No. 60/336,062 filed on Oct. 23, 2001. 
     
    
     
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
         [0002]    1. Field of the Invention  
           [0003]    This invention relates to the field of seals which mount on a door frame to seal between the door and the frame and, in particular, to seal around the perimeter of overhead garage doors.  
           [0004]    2. Brief Description of the Related Art  
           [0005]    It is known to provide seals around the perimeter or edge of a door in order to seal out elements, such as for example, air drafts, rain, snow, insects and dust. Most seals are utilized in connection with a door or door frame. There are some seals which are mounted directly on the door. Generally, such seals are mounted on the bottom of the door to maintain a seal with the ground or door sill when the door is closed. Other seals are provided on the door frame, and are configured to seal the door against air drafts, insects, water, and other elements.  
           [0006]    It is known to provide seals for garage doors. Generally, for the most part, garage doors are larger in perimeter than most entry doors. A seal is desirable to be maintained between the door panel and the door frame. Since there is usually some space between the frame and the door, it is desirable to seal that space. Attempts have been made to provide a seal or weather strip for garage doors. These prior seals include strips with a flexible seal which are nailed to a door frame, such as the “Door Seal” disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,784,834 issued on Jul. 28, 1998 to Ellis D. Stutzman. Another example of a door seal is found in U.S. Pat. No. 6,167,657 for a “Weatherstrip Product Formed by Sequential Extrusion of Cellular and Non-Cellular Plastic Resins” issued on Jan. 2, 2001 to Gary Burge, et al. U.S. Pat. No. 5,092,079, issued on Mar. 3, 1992 to Marc A. Brookman, et al., discloses a “Weather Seal for a Garage Door” with a block which pivotally moves in relation to a base member. A “Door Having Hidden Screw Construction” is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,230,180, issued on Jul. 27, 1993 to Robert C. Tweedt, which provides a plastic edge cap on the latch edge of the door.  
           [0007]    Great Britain patent application no. 2 153 890 A published on Aug. 29, 1985 discloses a “Weather Seal” for a door or window which has a channel-shaped base member and a cover member pivotally attached to the base member by means of a flexible web. Canadian patent application 728, 935 provides a soft material which mounts on an attachment member. Great Britain patent application 2 231 361 A published on Nov. 14, 1990, discloses “Draught seals for doors”, where a spring and brush are provided and first strip is arranged for sliding attachment to another strip.  
           [0008]    A need exists for a weather sealing device which is economical to produce and assemble, and which can be easily installed on a frame of a door, such as, for example, a garage door, and replaced when necessary (i.e., when damaged).  
         SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
         [0009]    A sealing device for a door, and in particular for a garage door, for sealing the door and frame to facilitate the exclusion of elements, such as, for example, draughts, wind, rain, snow, insects, and the like. An improved weather strip sealing device is provided which affords a pleasing appearance, is easy to install, and can be removed and replaced when necessary.  
           [0010]    A first part or base is mounted to a door frame in proximity to a garage door. A matingly configured second part is adapted to be connected to the first part. Preferably, the second part carries a flexible portion which is provided to engage with the garage door to maintain a seal.  
           [0011]    An attachment mechanism is provided to connect the first part with the second part, so that the first part can be installed prior to connecting the second part with the first part. Preferably, the first part can be positioned for mounting on a door frame, and once positioned, the installer will have more than one choice of attachment locations along the first part at which to attach the first part to the frame. That is, if for example, screws or nails are used, more than one nailing (or screw) spot along the length of the first part is provided. This facilitates mounting and attachment, in particular, where a single choice of nailing would otherwise cause the location of the nail to be between two pieces of wood or another undesirable location.  
           [0012]    A connecting mechanism is provided to facilitate the connection of the second part with the first part. Once the first part is installed on a frame, the second part, preferably, is press fit over the first part and snapped into engagement therewith. Suitable connecting elements of the first part engage with connecting elements of the second part. Similarly, the second part can be removed from the first part when necessary.  
           [0013]    Preferably, the first part and second part are comprised of material which is resistant to whether and elements which are to be encountered, such as, for example, acid rain, cold, heat, water, and the like. The first and second parts, preferably, are also flexible so that they can be snapped together, and readily separated, if desired. An additional benefit to providing a flexible material composition is that in the unfortunate event that the sealing device is used for sealing around the perimeter of a garage door, and is accidentally hit by a car exiting or entering the garage, the second part can detach, thereby possibly minimizing further damage to the garage frame, as well as the vehicle. Similarly, if the second part is damaged, but the first part is not, a new second part can be installed on the first part.  
           [0014]    Similarly, if a new garage door is installed, a second part can be replaced with one which is compatible with the new door. For example, if a stainable garage door is used, and the second part was painted, the painted second part can be replaced with a stainable second part, which can be stained to match the door.  
           [0015]    An object of the present invention is to provide a novel weather strip device for sealing around the perimeter of a door.  
           [0016]    Another object of the present invention is to provide a novel weather strip device which can be stained or painted to match existing trim or molding pieces.  
           [0017]    Another object of the present invention is to provide a novel weather strip device which can be attached to a mounting surface with fasteners, and which when installed hides the fasteners from view.  
           [0018]    Another object of the present invention is to provide a novel weather strip device having an appearance of wood.  
           [0019]    Another object of the present invention is to provide a novel weather strip device which has a first part which is mountable to a mounting surface and a second part which may be snap-fit into position over the first part.  
           [0020]    Another object of the present invention is to provide a novel weather strip device which has multiple mounting locations for facilitating attachment of the device to a mounting surface. 
       
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIGURES  
       [0021]    [0021]FIG. 1 is a front elevation view of a weather strip device constructed in accordance with the invention.  
         [0022]    [0022]FIG. 2 is a front elevation view showing the base member of the device separately from the other components.  
         [0023]    [0023]FIG. 3 is a top plan view of the base member shown in FIG. 2.  
         [0024]    [0024]FIG. 4 is a top plan view of the weather strip device of FIG. 1 shown installed in a door frame with a garage door and a door jamb illustrating an environment of use.  
         [0025]    [0025]FIG. 5 is a side elevation view showing the weather strip device of FIG. 1 installed on a header of a door frame and in an environment with a garage door.  
         [0026]    [0026]FIG. 6 is a front perspective view showing a garage door installed in a frame with the weather strip device of FIG. 1 installed around the perimeter of the door. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS  
       [0027]    Referring to the drawing figures, there is illustrated a weather strip  10  constructed in accordance with the present invention. The weather strip  10  comprises a first part or base member  11  which is adapted to be mounted on a door frame and a second part  12  which is adapted to be removably connected with said base member  11 . The base member  11  is illustrated best in FIG. 2 having a rear wall  13  and mounting means for attaching the base member to a mounting surface. In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention, the mounting means may comprise a plurality of apertures  15 ,  16  disposed in the base member rear wall  13 . Suitable fastening members, such as screws, nails, bolts, or the like, may be used to attach the base member  11  to a supporting surface.  
         [0028]    As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the fastening members are illustrated as nails  17 ,  18  which are inserted into the base member apertures, respectively  15  and  16 , and are driven into the door jamb  101 . The apertures  15 ,  16  preferably are arranged to provide at least two locations along the vertical span of the base member  11  for facilitating the attachment of the base member  11  to a door frame. Referring to FIG. 2, the apertures  15 ,  16  are arranged in at least two longitudinal spaced apart courses, a first course  19  being represented by those apertures designated  15 , and a second course  20  being represented by those apertures designated  16 . The first course  19  and second course  20  provide alternate fastening locations so that in the event that one of the fastening locations is not feasible, that is due to a wood joint, seam, knot, or other impediment, there are alternate locations at which to fasten the base member  11  to preserve its location proximate to a door, such as, for example, the garage door  100  illustrated in FIGS. 4 and 5. Alternately, while shown secured with nails  17 ,  18  in both courses of the apertures  15 ,  16 , it will be understood that alternate nailing utilizing only some of the apertures  15 ,  16 , or one of the courses  19  or  20 , may be done to attach the base member  11  to a door jamb.  
         [0029]    The second part  12  connects with the base member  11 , and can be removed and replaced from the base member  11  as the user elects. Connecting means is provided for connecting the second part  12  with the base member  11 . Connecting means preferably comprises a first connecting element disposed on the base member  11  which may be connected to the second part, with the first connecting element being configured for releasable securing with said second connecting element.  
         [0030]    In accordance with the preferred embodiment, connecting means is provided for connecting the second part  12  with the base member  11 . The base member  11  has a first side wall  22  and a second side wall  23  each having a first end  24 ,  25 , respectively, which is connected to the base member rear wall  13 , and a second end  26 ,  27 , respectively which is located a predetermined distance from the rear wall  13 . The side walls  22 ,  23  carry a first connecting means thereon for connecting with the second part  12 . The first connecting means is shown comprising longitudinal ribs  28 ,  29  provided on the first side wall  22  and longitudinal ribs  30 ,  31  on the second side wall  23 . A recess  32  is shown formed between the longitudinal ribs  28 ,  29 , and a recess  33  between ribs  30 ,  31 .  
         [0031]    Second connecting means is provided on the second part  12  for connecting with the base member  11 . As illustrated in FIGS. 4 and 5, the first connecting means and second connecting means are matingly associated with each other to secure with each other when engaged. The second part preferably is constructed having a front face  40 , a first side wall  41  and a second side wall  42 . The first sidewall  41  is shown having a first end  43  respectively, which is connected to the front face  40 , and a second end  44  which is located a predetermined distance from the front face  40 . Similarly, the second sidewall  42  is shown having a first end  45  connected to the front face  40 , and a second end  46  located at a predetermined distance from the front face  40 . The side walls  41 ,  42  form with said face  40  a substantially unshaped channel  47  which is configured to fit over the base member  11 , as illustrated in FIG. 4. The second connecting means provided on the second part  12  is illustrated comprising longitudinal ribs  50 ,  51  disposed on the second part first side wall  41 , and longitudinal ribs  52 ,  53  disposed on the second side wall  42 . Grooves  54 ,  55 , and  56 ,  57  are shown formed in connection with the ribs  50 ,  51 , and  52 ,  53 .  
         [0032]    The second part  12  has a sealing element  60  which preferably is comprised of a flexible material. The sealing element  60  preferably is provided on a sidewall of the second part  12 , such as the second part second side wall  42 , illustrated in FIGS. 4 and 5. The sealing element  60  is disposed to engage with a door, such as for example, the garage door  100  shown in FIGS. 4, 5 and  6 . Preferably, the sealing element  60  is constructed from a flexible material which can withstand extreme weather conditions, and temperature changes. The base member  11  is installed on the door jamb  102  proximate the door  100  so that when the second part  12  is connected to the base member  11 , the sealing element  60  preferably engages the door  100 .  
         [0033]    While shown carried by the second part  12 , the sealing element  60 , alternately, may be carried by the base member  11 , although not illustrated.  
         [0034]    The weather strip  10  is installed by aligning the base member  11  along the door jamb  102  and mounting the base member  11  to the door jamb  102  with a fastening member. The second part  12  is connected, preferably by press-fit, or snapping into position over, the base member  11 . It is preferred that the second part  12  have side walls which are flexible so that the sidewalls  41 ,  42  can be flexed to fit over the sidewalls  22 ,  23 , respectively of the base member  11  to align the grooves  32 ,  33  of the base member  11  with the respective corresponding ribs  50 ,  51  and  52 ,  53  of the second part  12 , as shown in FIG. 4.  
         [0035]    Preferably, the second part  12  is constructed to comprise a living spring with the first wall  41  and second wall  42  being provided as spring members. In addition, the face  40  of the second part  12  can also be provided as a living spring to work with the first wall  41  and second wall  42 . The walls  41  and  42  are biased to a rest position shown in FIG. 5. When the second part  12  is installed on the first part  11  by positioning it over the first part  11  and pressing it thereon, the walls  41  and  42  engage the walls  22 ,  23  of the base member  11  and are moved outwardly, and upon being aligned for connection, as shown in FIG. 4, the natural bias of the living spring holds the second part  12  on the first member  11 .  
         [0036]    It will be understood that while the living spring is described in relation to the second part  12 , the base member  11  can also be constructed as a living spring. Alternately, one or the other, or both, the base member  11  and the second part  12  can be constructed as a living spring.  
         [0037]    Preferably, as shown, the mounting surface may comprise a door frame, header, jamb, wall or other surface surrounding a door panel. Referring to FIG. 6, a door entry way  105  is illustrated in connection with a garage door  100 , and is surrounded by a left side door jamb  102 , a right side door jamb  103  and a header  104 . The weather strip  10  is preferably attached to each the left side door jamb  102 , the right side door jamb  103 , and the header  104  in order to provide a seal with the door  100 . For purposes of illustrating the invention, the weather strip  10  is shown in FIGS. 4 and 5 installed in connection with a garage door  100 .  
         [0038]    The second part  12  may be removed as desired by the user. For example, if during use the second part  12  should become damaged, then the base member  11  can remain installed, and the second part  12  removed and replaced with a new or an undamaged second part.  
         [0039]    Preferably, the base member  11  is comprised of a material which is strong and resistant to extreme weather conditions, as well as changes in weather conditions. Suitable materials include aluminum, plastic, vinyl and fiberglass. Similarly the second part  12  is likewise configured from a material which is strong, resistant to extreme weather conditions, as well as changes in weather conditions, and which can include such materials, for example, as aluminum, plastic, vinyl and fiberglass.  
         [0040]    In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention, the second part  12  can comprise a stainable, paintable material, such as fiberglass. This facilitates matching of the weather strip  10  appearance with the garage door  100 , trim, or other surrounding elements.  
         [0041]    Although shown with two ribs  28 ,  29 , it will be understood that a single rib, or multiple ribs may be employed consistent with the principles of the invention disclosed herein. Alternately, or in addition thereto, it will be understood that the ribs, while disclosed as being longitudinally provided over the length of the base member  11  can be provided as segments which are non-continuous over the length of the base member  11 .  
         [0042]    The weather strip  10  can be provided in different finishes so that the user may select a particular finish to match or coordinate with the surrounding structure, such as door trim, door panels, and the like. For example, the weather strip may be gray to match gray siding on a house or may be a stained fiberglass to match a redwood door. These and other colors and finishes may be utilized in connection with the weather strip invention.