Patent Abstract:
An in-floor track assembly with a built-in drainage system for sliding doors is disclosed. The assembly includes a drainage pan having a generally rectangular floor and integral walls that extend upwardly at opposite ends of the floor. A track extends laterally from a wall of the drainage pan and then extends upwardly and slightly above the level of a finished floor in a building. The track is arranged to engage wheels of a vertically-oriented panel such as a sliding door and support motion of the panel along the track. An upright splashguard is secured in spaced-apart relation to the drainage pan floor. The splashguard is located parallel to and spaced slightly apart from the track. The splashguard extends upwardly to be level with the finished floor. Together, the track and the splashguard form a drainage passageway therebetween to permit moisture to be directed to the drainage pan. A catch basin is mounted under the drainage pan to collect moisture from the drainage pan and return it to the exterior through a drainage tube.

Full Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    (Not Applicable) 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Field of Invention 
       [0002]    Various types of access doors for buildings are known in the prior art. One type of access door is a door having a fixed panel and one or more sliding panels mounted on a track assembly for reciprocal lateral movement relative to the fixed panel. The fixed or sliding panels may be glass or solid panels that slide on a single track or on separate, but closely parallel tracks of the track assembly. Sliding doors are particularly utilizable in residential dwellings and they are commonly used to provide egress to a deck, patio, etc. Problems arise when such sliding doors are utilized in a home. Sleet, rain, or snow hitting the exterior surface of the sliding panels runs down the panel surface and collects at the bottom of the panel and in the track assembly on which the panels are mounted for sliding movement. Once the moisture reaches the track assembly, problems can develop due to water flowing from the track assembly into the interior or back out to the exterior of a residential dwelling. 
         [0003]    For example, water can flow under the sliding panel and into a room wetting carpets or rugs that can become stained or cause bad odors. Such water can stain an interior cement floor or cause interior wood flooring to deteriorate. Such water can loosen or dissolve glue holding down other floor coverings used in residential interiors such as linoleum, parquet, and vinyl squares. 
         [0004]    Some door systems where sliding panels are mounted on track assemblies are designed with weep drainage systems that include drainage holes on the track assembly which enables water to drain to the exterior. However, proper maintenance of the drainage holes, including keeping them free of any dirt or debris, is required to assure proper drainage. Alternatively, to keep rain water from finding its way inside, one drainage system employs a channel and a series of collection pans mounted thereunder to collect moisture and re-direct it to the exterior. However, it is unclear whether these prior art drainage systems would be provide sufficient drainage in geographic zones that experience hurricane force winds and increased volumes of rain. Accordingly, it is desirable to provide a system that captures substantial volumes of water flowing into the track assembly and convey it back to the exterior from the track assembly before the problems described above begin to develop. 
       BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0005]    An in-floor track assembly with a built-in drainage system for sliding doors is disclosed. The assembly includes a drainage pan having a generally rectangular floor and integral walls that extend upwardly at opposite ends of the floor. A track extends laterally from a wall of the drainage pan and then extends upwardly and slightly above the level of a finished floor in a building. The track is arranged to engage wheels of a vertically-oriented panel such as a sliding door and support motion of the panel along the track. An upright splashguard is secured in spaced-apart relation to the drainage pan floor. The splashguard is located parallel to and spaced slightly apart from the track. The splashguard extends upwardly to be level with the finished floor. Together, the track and the splashguard form a drainage passageway therebetween to permit moisture to be directed to the drainage pan. A catch basin is mounted under the drainage pan to collect moisture from the drainage pan and return it to the exterior through a drainage tube. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0006]    The invention will be described in conjunction with the following drawings in which like reference numerals designate like elements and wherein: 
           [0007]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a portion of the track assembly of the present invention; 
           [0008]      FIG. 2  is a top view of the track assembly of the present invention with cut away views to illustrate the catch basin and other details; 
           [0009]      FIG. 3  is a cross-sectional view taken along line  3 - 3  of  FIG. 2 ; and, 
           [0010]      FIG. 4  is a cross sectional elevational view of the track assembly of the present invention. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0011]    Referring now in detail to the various figures of the drawings wherein like reference characters refer to like parts, there is shown at  10  in  FIGS. 1 through 4  the in-floor track assembly for sliding panels with a built-in drainage system of the present invention. As best shown in  FIGS. 3 and 4 , a track  14  extends upwardly and slightly above a top surface  18  of a finished floor  22  for engaging the undercarriage wheels  26  of a panel  30  and supporting the panel  30  while it is in motion, such as in rectilinear motion, on track  14 . As shown in  FIGS. 1 ,  3 , and  4 , the track  14  is a narrow elongated shape and is oriented upright and is formed of a narrow-gauge metal plate. The track  14  is affixed to or integral with a laterally extending base portion  34 . Together, the track  14  and the laterally extending base portion  34  form a reverse “L” shape as shown in the drawings. The track  14  includes a shaped, e.g., rounded, top surface to provide smooth engagement with the wheels  26  that extend downwardly from the bottom of panel  30 . The panel  30  may be formed of metal or wood construction and may include panel inserts of glass or wood, and are generally quite heavy. It is preferred that the track  14  be extruded, such as from aluminum or other extrudable metal, and be formed as a single piece with the base portion  34 . 
         [0012]    As best shown in  FIGS. 3 and 4 , a second track  38  runs parallel to and in closely spaced-apart relation to track  14 . Like track  14 , the second track  38  extends upwardly and slightly above a top surface  18  of a finished floor  22  for engaging the undercarriage wheels  26  of a second panel  36  and supporting the panel  36  while it is in motion, such as in rectilinear motion, on track  38 . The second track  38  is affixed to or integral with a laterally extending base portion  42 . Together, the track  38  and the laterally extending base portion  42  form a reverse “L” shape as shown in the drawings. In this manner, both panels  30  and  36  are slideable along the length of the track assembly  10  for reciprocal lateral movement relative to each other. Such sliding panels are particularly utilizable in residential dwellings and they are commonly used to provide egress to a deck, patio, etc. However, such sliding panels could also be utilizable in commercial applications. Alternatively, one of the panels may be fixed in place (not arranged for motion) and the other arranged for reciprocal lateral movement with respect to the fixed panel. Also, notwithstanding the fact that only two tracks  14  and  38  are illustrated in the drawings for supporting two panels, it should be understood that the present invention is not limited to two-track track assembly. To the contrary, the invention also contemplates a track assembly comprising three or more tracks arranged in parallel spaced-apart relation to each other for support of one or more fixed or moving panels for reciprocal lateral movement relative to each other. 
         [0013]    Referring again to  FIGS. 1 ,  3  and  4 , an upright splash guard  44  is provided that corresponds to the narrow track  14  and a second upright splash guard  50  is provided that corresponds to narrow track  38 . Each splash guard  44 ,  50  is parallel to its corresponding narrow track  14 ,  38  and is spaced slightly apart therefrom a distance sufficient to capture moisture either dripping or running off panels  30  and  36 , or running across finished floor top surface  18  and over the top of track  14 ,  38  from the exterior area toward the interior area. The splash guard  44  and  50  forms with each track  14  and  38  a narrow drainage passageway  54  ( FIG. 4 ) for allowing passage of moisture from the exterior or the bottom of each panel  30  and  36  and into a U-shaped drainage pan  60  assembly ( FIG. 1 ) that includes separate floor sections  64   a  and  64   b,  an exterior sidewall  68  and an interior sidewall  72 . As best illustrated in  FIGS. 1 and 4 , the floor sections  64   a  and  64   b  are two pieces held in a spaced-apart relationship to establish a gap  92  therebetween. 
         [0014]    As best shown in  FIGS. 1 ,  2  and  4 , a plurality of spaced apart ribs  84  extend laterally across the separate floor sections  64   a  and  64   b  and include suitable through openings for securement to maintain the floor sections in the spaced-apart relationship. Each rib  84  includes a plurality of suitably shaped, e.g., semi-circular, drainage openings  84   a  that are spaced from each other a predetermined distance along the length of each rib  84 . The drainage openings  84   a  serve to evenly distribute moisture flowing from the drainage passageway  54  into the U-shaped drainage pan  60  and across the floor sections  64   a  and  64   b.  Thereafter, moisture flows across the drainage pan floor sections  64   a  and  64   b  and into the gap  92  between the drainage pan floor sections  64   a  and  64   b.  The gap  92  extends the length of the drainage pan  60 . 
         [0015]    When used herein, the term “moisture” means rain, sleet, snow, and water splashed from swimming pools, hoses and the like. As shown in these figures, the tracks  14 ,  38  and corresponding splash guards  44 ,  50  are both upright, elongated, narrow-gauge plates that are separate from each other. In addition, it is preferred that each splash guard  44 ,  50  terminates or “tops” at finished floor top surface  18  so that the entire assembly is at or below top surface  18 , except for a slight upward protrusion of the top surface of the tracks  14 ,  38  and thus forms a very smooth, uninterrupted top floor surface  18 . It is preferred that the tracks be extruded as pieces separate from the splash guards so moisture can run freely through the drainage passageway  54 . 
         [0016]    In some instances, the splash guards  44 ,  50  and drainage passageways  54  may be located on the exterior side of the tracks  14 ,  38 , as opposed to the interior side of the tracks as shown in  FIGS. 1-4 . However, it is preferred that the splash guards  44 ,  50  and drainage passageways  54  be located on the interior side of the assembly  10 . 
         [0017]    As best shown in  FIG. 4 , track  14  is rigidly mounted to the drainage pan exterior wall  68  by securement of its laterally extending base portion  34  thereto by any suitable method, e.g., welding. Splash guard  44  includes a laterally extending base portion  45 . The base portion  45  includes a plurality of through openings, preferably round and spaced from each other by a predetermined distance, to enable securement of the splash guard  44  to corresponding through openings in the ribs  84  and drainage pan floor section  64   a  by any suitable means, e.g., screws  80 . Preferably, the screws  80  are provided with flat heats and conical sides so they lie flush with the top surface of the laterally extending base portion  45 . Similarly, track  38  includes a laterally extending base portion  42  to enable securement of the track to the ribs  84  and drainage pan floor section  64   b  by suitable means, e.g., screws  80 . Corresponding splash guard  50  includes a laterally extending base portion  52  for securement to the drainage pan interior wall  72  by any suitable means, e.g., welding. During fabrication of the track assembly  10 , the track  14  and splash guard  50  may be welded to the exterior and interior walls  68 ,  72  of the drainage pan  60  through their respective laterally extending base portions  34 ,  52  to create a unitary weldment. Thereafter, the splash guard  44  and track  38  may be secured to the ribs  84  and drainage pan floor sections  64   a  and  64   b  by the previously described suitable securement means. 
         [0018]    A catch basin  100  is arranged to fit within the elongated gap  92  and is provided to collect moisture that passes through the gap  92 . The catch basin  100  extends the length of the track assembly  10  and may be formed of any suitable material, e.g., a plastic such as polyvinyl chloride (PVC), polyvinylidene chloride, polyethylene, and the like, or other plastics that can be easily injection molded to reduce the cost of production. The catch basin  100  includes an open top cavity and a closed floor  102  for containing moisture. The floor  102  includes a sloped surface  103  to direct moisture collected therein toward one or more return or drainage hoses or tubes  104  connected to the side of the catch basin  100 . The drainage tubes  104  draw off moisture from the catch basin  100  and return the moisture to the exterior. 
         [0019]    Referring now to  FIG. 4 , a filter  108  is located in the drainage passageway  54  for preventing the ingress of debris. As shown in  FIGS. 1 ,  3  and  4 , the filter  108  may take the form of a strip of highly reticulated plastic foam cut and inserted into the drainage passageway  54 . Not only does the filter  108  prevent the ingress of debris while also not interfering with the collection of moisture, it also is easily removed so that it can be renewed without significant cost or effort. 
         [0020]    Referring now to  FIGS. 3 and 4 , as previously mentioned, the track assembly  10  is prefabricated away from the installation site. To install the track assembly  10  on a surface wherein the panels  30  and  36  are to slide, holes are first drilled through a cement subfloor  116 . Wedge anchors  123  ( FIG. 4 ) or other suitable hardware for fastening into concrete are hammered into the holes and anchored into position using supplied nuts and washers  124  ( FIG. 4 ). Thereafter, additional suitable hardware  128  ( FIG. 4 ), e.g., nuts and washers, is used to assist in properly locating and leveling the track assembly  10  in place in ways that are known in the art. Thereafter, a suitable concrete material  132  ( FIG. 4 ) is poured under the track assembly  10  to fill in the space between the track assembly  10  and the cement subfloor  116 . 
         [0021]    Referring now to  FIG. 4 , a plate  120  extending the length of the track assembly is thereafter secured over the base portion  34  of track  14  and base portion  52  of splash guard  50  utilizing suitable securement hardware  121 . Likewise, a single a plate  122  is secured over both base portions  45  and  42  of splash guard  44  and track  38 , respectively, using suitable hardware. The plates  120  and  122  are provided to prevent the uncured concrete material  132  encasing the track assembly  10  from seeping into the track assembly  10  during assembly. Additional concrete material  132  is added in preparation of the laying of final or finished floor  22  that hides the track assembly  10  from view except for a small upper portion of tracks  14  and  38  and the very top of splash guards  44  and  50 . The drainage hoses or tubes  104  pass through holes in the finished floor  22  or cement subfloor  116 , preferably to the exterior for removing the collected moisture from the tracks  14  and  38 . 
         [0022]    It is understood that the track assembly and its constituent parts described herein is an exemplary indication of a preferred embodiment of the invention, and is given by way of illustration only. In other words, the concept of the present invention may be readily applied to a variety of preferred embodiments, including those disclosed herein. While the invention has been described in detail and with reference to specific examples thereof, it will be apparent to one skilled in the art that various changes and modifications can be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope thereof.

Technology Classification (CPC): 4