Patent Publication Number: US-9885210-B2

Title: Thermal break system and method for doors and windows

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
     The present application is a Continuation-In-Part Patent Application which claims priority to U.S. Utility patent application Ser. No. 15/297,113, filed on Oct. 18, 2018, entitled “Thermal break system and method for door and windows” which claims priority to U.S. Utility patent application Ser. No. 14/833,138, filed on Aug. 23, 2015, entitled “Thermal break system and method for door and windows”, now U.S. Pat. No. 9,470,037 to issue Oct. 18, 2016, which claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/926,412, filed on Jan. 13, 2014, further this application claims priority to Chinese Patent Application serial number 201620628542.8, filed Jun. 23, 2016 the disclosures of which is hereby incorporated in its entirety at least by reference. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to the technical field of building materials, more particularly a thermal break system and method for doors and windows. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Aluminum and other metals are often used for the structure of many doors and windows due to their strength and ductability, which facilitates the fabrication of strong windows and doors in a variety of shapes. However, the high conductivity of metal results in low thermal efficiency. Heat is conducted through the door or window structure, into the building on hot days and out of the building on cold days. Extra energy is required to offset this heat transfer and maintain a comfortable environment within the building. Also, on cold days, condensation or even frost can build up on the door or window structure, inside the building, potentially damaging floors and surrounding areas. Consequently, there is a need for a thermal break system that can limit heat transfer and provide energy-saving benefits. 
     BRIEF SUMMARY 
     In one aspect of the invention a door assembly is provided, comprising a door frame including an inside steel panel having a first inner surface and a first outer surface, and a C-shaped section with a first portion of the C-shaped section extending parallel to the inner surface of the inside steel panel; an outside steel panel having a second inner surface and a second outer surface, and a U-shaped section with a second portion of the C-shaped section extending perpendicular to the second inner surface of the outside steel panel; a first insulating material interposed between the first portion of the C-shaped section of the inside steel panel and the second inner surface of the outside steel panel to thermally isolate the inside steel panel and the outside steel panel from each other, and said inside steel panel and outside steel panel being secured together to form a thermal break system; and a doorjamb including a threshold comprising a second insulating material positioned between a first threshold portion and second threshold portion, wherein the first threshold portion is sloped to allow rainwater to discharge from the assembly; a third insulating material positioned above the second threshold portion adjacent to the second insulating material; a fourth and fifth insulating material positioned below the door fame, wherein the fourth insulating material is mounted parallel to a bottom portion of the door frame and the fifth insulating material is positioned at a right angle adjacent to the fourth insulating material proximal to the inside steel panel. 
     In one embodiment, a kerfed drop seal positioned on the bottom portion of the door frame is provided, wherein the kerfed drop seal comprises is a drip bead and a plurality of bottom sweeps. In one embodiment, an internal pressure seal positioned above the second threshold portion is provided, wherein the internal pressure reduces air infiltration. In another embodiment, the internal pressure seal is positioned between the third and fifth insulating materials. 
     In another aspect of the invention a door assembly is provided, comprising a door frame including a first side having a first inner surface, a first outer surface, a first edge, and a second edge, the distance between the first edge and second edge defining a first width; a first panel located at the first edge extending perpendicularly from the first inner surface at a first depth; a second panel located at the second edge extending perpendicularly from the first inner surface at a second depth; a first land perpendicularly connected to the first panel extending parallel to the first inner surface, the first land having a first length; a second land perpendicularly connected to the second panel extending parallel to the first inner surface, the second land having a second length; a second side having a second inner surface, a second outer surface, a third edge, and a fourth edge, the distance between the third edge and fourth edge defining a second width; a third panel located at the third edge extending perpendicularly from the second inner surface at a third depth; a fourth panel located at the fourth edge extending perpendicularly from the second inner surface at a fourth depth; a first thermal break having a third width positioned between the first land and the second inner surface adjacent to the third panel; a second thermal break having a fourth width positioned between the second land and the second inner surface adjacent to the fourth panel; the first width and the second width being identical; the first length, and third width being identical; the second length, and the fourth width being identical, the first depth and the second depth being identical; the third depth and the fourth depth being identical; wherein the outer surface of the first side is exposed to an external environment and the second outer surface of the second side is exposed to an internal environment; the third and fourth depths are greater than the first and second depths which correspond to the first and second thermal breaks being positioned closer to the external environment improving efficiency; and a plurality of metal screws clamping the first land and the first thermal break together and the second land and the second thermal break together, the plurality of metal screws providing mechanical strength. 
     In one embodiment, a first adhesive means joining the first thermal break, the second inner surface, and the third panel together is provided; and a second adhesive means joining the second thermal break, the second inner surface, and the fourth panel together is provided. In one embodiment, a doorjamb including a threshold comprising a third thermal break positioned between a first threshold portion and second threshold portion is provided, wherein the first threshold portion is sloped to allow rainwater to discharge from the assembly. In another embodiment, a kerfed drop seal positioned on a bottom portion of the door frame, wherein the kerfed drop seal comprises is a drip bead and a plurality of bottom sweeps. In one embodiment, an internal pressure seal positioned above the second threshold portion, wherein the internal pressure reduces air infiltration. 
     In yet another aspect of the invention, an assembly is provided comprising a frame including an inside steel panel having a first inner surface and a first outer surface, and a C-shaped section with a first portion of the C-shaped section extending parallel to the inner surface of the inside steel panel; an outside steel panel having a second inner surface and a second outer surface, and a U-shaped section with a second portion of the C-shaped section extending perpendicular to the second inner surface of the outside steel panel; a first insulating material interposed between the first portion of the C-shaped section of the inside steel panel and the second inner surface of the outside steel panel to thermally isolate the inside steel panel and the outside steel panel from each other, and said inside steel panel and outside steel panel being secured together to form a thermal break system. 
     In one embodiment, the frame is a door frame. In another embodiment, the frame is a window frame. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       Other features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent when the following detailed description is read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which: 
         FIG. 1  is an exploded cross section view of a thermal break created in a straight tube assembly. 
         FIG. 2  is a cross-section view of a tube after construction shown with two sides connected through an insulating strip. 
         FIG. 3  is a cross-section view of a threshold according to the present invention. 
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     The following description is provided to enable any person skilled in the art to make and use the invention and sets forth the best modes contemplated by the inventor of carrying out their invention. Various modifications, however, will remain readily apparent to those skilled in the art, since the general principles of the present invention have been defined herein to specifically provide a thermal break system and method for doors and windows. 
       FIGS. 1-3  illustrate a thermal break system and method for doors and windows is provided.  FIGS. 1 and 2  illustrate exploded and cross section views of a thermal break created in a straight tube assembly for doors and windows. Referring now to  FIG. 1 , a tube is constructed using two sides,  1  and  2 . One tube  1  is made up of an outer surface and an inner surface of an outside steel panel, for example, making up the surface of a door facing the exterior. The outer surface thereof faces the exterior of a building. The inner surface faces the tube  2  making up the panel facing the interior of a building. With respect to tube  2 , its inner surface faces the inner surface of tube  1 , and its outer surface faces the interior of a building when assembled. Tube  1  is comprised of a “C” shape profile having base member  3  with a pair of panels  4  extending from the base member at an equal depth  5 . A pair of lands  6  extends from the pair of panels to complete the “C” shape profile. The sides terminate with the pair of lands having a width which is less than 50% of the width of profiles  1  and  2 , determined by the strength requirement of the particular application. Insulating strips  8 , with a width approximately the same as the pair of lands, and a depth sufficient to provide the degree of insulation required, are sandwiched between profiles  1  and  2 . The insulating strips are joined to tube  1  using a plurality of self-drilling, self-tapping screws  9  in combination with an adhesive means applied to adjacent faces of lands  6 , and insulating strips  8 . Typical adhesives useful for the invention include Liquid Nails, Bostick, Dap or Tightbond. Alternative screw arrangements may be self-tapping but not self-drilling, in which case suitable pilot holes may be pre-drilled in lands  6 , as well as insulating strips  8 . 
     Still referring now to  FIG. 1 , tube  2  is comprised of a “U” shape profile having a second base member  10  with a second pair of panels  11  extending from the second base member at an equal depth  12 . During installation, an adhesive means is applied to the second base member and/or the second pair of panels. The screws are not used on tube  2 , only the adhesive means. 
     It is a particular advantage of the present invention that the insulating strips  8  are positioned completely towards tube  2  of the assembly, or the the outside, that is the thermal break is positioned closer to the exterior. This configuration reduces the mass on the outside panel or side  2 . Further since the weight of the door is carried by the side  1 , it lowers stress on door joints and reduces exposure of the outside panel to elements which improves efficiency. The tube assemblies may be constructed of steel, aluminum, copper or aluminum alloy, or any other conductive material that would require a thermal break in order to control heat transfer. This design approach can be very effective in reducing the energy exchange, energy conservation in cold areas play a positive role. It is a particular advantage of the present invention to protect the doors and windows in cold areas to prevent damage to the doors and windows via frost. 
       FIG. 2  shows a cross section of the tube after construction where the sides  1  and  2  are connected with insulating strips  8 , typically made of ABS, sandwiched between them. 
       FIG. 3  is a cross-section view of a threshold  20  on a ground surface  21  according to the present invention. Referring now to  FIG. 3 , a first insulation  24  (thermal break) is positioned toward the inner end of an outer threshold portion  22 , and toward the inside of an inner threshold portion  23  constituting the intermediate heat shield. Preferably, threshold portions  22  and  23  are foam filled. The outside of the front end of the threshold comprises a slope  25 , which helps discharge rainwater. A second insulation  25  is positioned above the inner threshold portion adjacent to the first insulation. A third and fourth insulation  27  and  28  are positioned below the door, wherein the third insulation is mounted directly below the door, while the fourth insulation is positioned at a right angle adjacent to the third insulation towards tube side  1  proximal to the interior of the building. In one embodiment, the insulations are constructed from a thermoplastic, such as acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS) approximately 10 mm thick. 
     In one embodiment, a kerfed drop seal  29  positioned on the bottom edge of the door is provided. It is a particular advantage that the drop seal is a combined drip bead  30  and bottom sweeps  31 . The drip bead is a downward slope element or drip guard to direct rainwater to slope  25 . The bottom sweeps prevents air and water outside from entering into the building from the outside and provides the heat insulation effect. In one embodiment, three bottoms sweeps are provided. An internal pressure seal  32  is included above the center of the inner threshold portion above space  33 , wherein the seal provides insulation while reducing air infiltration. The dotted lines show the seal deflected in the space under pressure. 
     It should further be noted that throughout the entire disclosure, the labels such as left, right, front, back, top, bottom, forward, reverse, clockwise, counter clockwise, up, down, or other similar terms such as upper, lower, aft, fore, vertical, horizontal, oblique, proximal, distal, parallel, perpendicular, transverse, longitudinal, etc. have been used for convenience purposes only and are not intended to imply any particular fixed direction or orientation. Instead, they are used to reflect relative locations and/or directions/orientations between various portions of an object. 
     In addition, reference to “first,” “second,” “third,” and etc. members throughout the disclosure (and in particular, claims) are not used to show a serial or numerical limitation but instead are used to distinguish or identify the various members of the group. 
     In addition, any element in a claim that does not explicitly state “means for” performing a specified function, or “step for” performing a specific function, is not to be interpreted as a “means” or “step” clause as specified in 35 U.S.C. Section 112, Paragraph 6. In particular, the use of “step of,” “act of,” “operation of,” or “operational act of” in the claims herein is not intended to invoke the provisions of 35 U.S.C. 112, Paragraph 6. 
     While the foregoing written description of the invention enables one of ordinary skill to make and use what is considered presently to be the best mode thereof, those of ordinary skill will understand and appreciate the existence of variations, combinations, and equivalents of the specific embodiment, method, and examples herein. The invention should therefore not be limited by the above described embodiment, method, and examples, but by all embodiments and methods within the scope and spirit of the invention as claimed.