Patent Abstract:
A locking astragal with self positioning seal that automatically positions at least one seal at the lower end of an astragal adjacent the threshold sill of a door frame, and prevents drafts at the vicinity of the lower end of the astragal and the threshold sill, and/or automatically positions at least one seal at the upper end of the astragal adjacent the header of the door frame, and prevent drafts at the vicinity of the header. The self positioning seal independently positions itself abuttingly adjacent the sill and/or the header when the astragal&#39;s bolts are extended from a retracted position to an extended position and are received by the upper and/or lower apertures in the upper and/or lower portions of the door frame, the astragal having locks for locking the bolts into the extended position, and can be used with a variety of thresholds, sills, headers, doors, and door frames

Full Description:
[0001]     This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/763,091, filed Jan. 21, 2004, which claims the benefit of provisional Application No. 60/441,797, filed Jan. 21, 2003. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0002]     1. Field of the Invention  
         [0003]     The present invention relates generally to locking astragals and more particularly to locking astragals with self positioning seals.  
         [0004]     2. Background Art  
         [0005]     Double entrance doorways are used in a large variety of residential homes and commercial buildings. Typically, an active door provides for day to day ingress and egress to and from the residential home or building, and an inactive door remains closed, except in instances when a width greater than or equal to the width of the active door and less than or equal to the width of the double entrance doorway is required, such as, for example, for delivery of furniture and/or equipment that cannot fit through the double entrance doorway. If large objects, such as furniture and/or equipment must pass through the double entrance doorway, both the normally inactive door and the active door of the doorway are opened, to create a wide entrance way, through which the furniture and/or equipment may pass.  
         [0006]     Mating edges of the inactive door and the active door do not typically contact one another directly, but are separated by an astragal, the astragal being attached to the edge of an inactive leaf, the astragal extending the length of the inactive door, cushioning the closing of the active door and associated inactive leaf of the doorway, and sealing gaps between the inactive door and the active door.  
         [0007]     The astragals often have upper and lower bolt-slide assemblies, which lock the astragals and the inactive doors to upper and lower portions of a door frame surrounding the double entrance door way. The upper and lower bolt-slide assemblies have bolts, which slide within upper and lower ends of the astragal, and are pushed outwardly from the inactive door to extend beyond the ends of the astragal, and are received by upper and lower apertures in the upper and lower portions of the door frame, also known as the header and threshold sill, respectively, to lock the inactive door in place.  
         [0008]     Stationary seals are typically used at the lower end of the astragals for sealing and preventing drafts from entering the residential homes and/or commercial buildings through the double entrance doorways at the threshold sill. Since many different types, sizes, and shapes of thresholds are used, the drafts remain an unwanted by product of using the stationary sills. In many instances, the fixed size of the seals, and the materials used, for the stationary seals, are either too thick or too thin to fill the gap between the lower end of the astragal and the threshold sill, and, thus, result in not providing an adequate seal, and/or the seal degrading over time.  
         [0009]     There is thus a need for an astragal having self positioning astragal seal that prevents unwanted drafts, is easy to use and install in a quick, convenient, and efficient manner, is durable and long lasting, maintains its seal against drafts over time, even in situations where repeated opening and closing of the inactive door is necessary, and can be used with a variety of astragals and threshold sills, types, sizes, and shapes of threshold sills, doors, and door frames.  
         [0010]     The self positioning astragal seal should be capable of automatically positioning at least one seal at the lower end of the astragal adjacent the threshold sill, and prevent drafts at the vicinity of the lower end of the astragal and the threshold sill, and/or of automatically positioning at least one seal at the upper end of the astragal adjacent the header, and prevent drafts at the vicinity of the header.  
         [0011]     The self positioning astragal seal should independently position itself abuttingly adjacent the sill and/or the header when the bolts are extended from a retracted position to an extended position and are received by the upper and/or lower apertures in the upper and/or lower portions of the door frame.  
         [0012]     The astragal should also have a lock for locking the bolts into the extended position, and unlocking the bolts at a user&#39;s discretion, thus, provide additional security.  
         [0013]     Different astragals have heretofore been known. However, none of the astragals adequately satisfies these aforementioned needs.  
         [0014]     Locking astragals have been disclosed. However, none of these astragals adequately satisfies the aforementioned needs.  
         [0015]     U.S. Pat. No. 6,666,486 (Fleming) discloses a slide bolt unit for releasably locking a door or window or the like, such as a semi-active door in a double door entry set. The slide bolt unit includes an elongated slide bolt carried by a channel-shaped housing adapted for recessed mounting into a side edge of a door or the like. An actuator tab on the slide bolt is exposed through a position control slot formed in the housing for fingertip actuation to displace the slide bolt between an advanced position engaging a keeper on an adjacent header or sill or the like to lock the door in a closed position, and a retracted position to permit door opening. The actuator tab has a slotted profile defining lock shoulders biased by a spring for releasably engaging and locking with the housing at opposite ends of the position control slot, and a narrowed central slide track for alignment with the position control slot upon fingertip depression of the actuator tab to permit sliding displacement of the actuator tab along the position control slot from one end to the other.  
         [0016]     U.S. Pat. No. 6,491,326 (Massey, et al.) discloses a swing adaptable astragal with lockable unitary flush bolt assemblies, which includes an improved astragal assembly for double door entryways having an extruded aluminum frame into which upper and lower flush bolt assemblies are slidably disposed. The flush bolt assemblies include a relatively long metal bolt about which is injection overmolded a series of retainer guides, which ride in the frame. Locking mechanisms are also integrally overmolded onto the bolts. The frame and all components of the astragal assembly are symmetrical and reversible so that the assembly is non-handed; that is, it can be adapted to both a right hand swing and a left-hand swing inactive door. A strike plate mounting system and bottom-sealing block are provided, and the upper end of the assembly includes means for sealing against the stop of a head jamb. Drafts at the upper and lower inside corners of the doors of a double door entryway are thus prevented.  
         [0017]     U.S. Pat. No. 6,457,751 (Hartman) discloses a locking assembly for an astragal, which is attached to the inactive door of a double door unit that is installed in a residence or a building. The astragal is attached to the edge of the inactive door in the space between the inactive door and the active door. A separate locking assembly is attached adjacent the top end of the door and also adjacent the bottom end of the door. A plug having an elongated locking bolt extending from the plug is mounted in the front end of the carriage member. Additional structure is provided for reciprocal travel of the carriage member between a locked position and an unlocked position.  
         [0018]     U.S. Pat. No. 6,453,616 (Wright) discloses an astragal for use with exterior double door installations, such as french doors. When attached to the edge of the generally inactive door, the astragal provides a door stop for the active door, a seal to prevent intrusion of water, and a lock for the inactive door. The invention particularly pertains to extruded metal astragals capable of increasing the resistance of the double door system to high wind conditions. The astragal comprises a longitudinally extending base member that has at least one longitudinally extending channel and a pair of spaced apart outwardly extending legs. At least one bolt is slidably inserted in the channel adjacent to one of the first and second ends of the channel. The astragal is attached to the door by at least one cleat whose spaced apart arms engage the legs of the base member, providing resistance to the astragal rocking in relation to the door edge when the doors are under wind forces.  
         [0019]     U.S. Pat. No. 5,857,291 (Headrick) discloses an astragal with integral sealing lock block, for use with a double door installation, which includes an astragal strip secured along the vertical edge of the inactive door. A lock block is slidably disposed in at least one end of said astragal strip and can be moved between an extended position for securing the door and a retracted position for freeing the door. The lock block has a projecting bolt receivable in a receptacle in the door frame, when the lock block is slid to its extended position. A gasket is secured to the end of the lock block, and the bolt passes through an opening in the gasket. The gasket engages and seals against the door frame when the lock block is in its extended position. Gaskets are also provided on the sides of the lock block for engaging and sealing against the doors of the double door installation. When the doors are closed and secured in place, the lock block and gasket assembly prevents drafts from flowing under the door installation beneath the astragal thereof.  
         [0020]     U.S. Pat. No. 5,590,919 (Germano) discloses a T-astragal and sleeve for use with double swinging doors, such as french doors. The T-astragal includes a cap portion perpendicular to a base portion, wherein both the cap and base can be formed from wood, such as plywood or plastic. The T-astragal is a moulding that extends the full height of the swinging doors. One side of the base portion is fixably coupled to the free end of one of the swinging doors by nails or screws. The free end of the other swinging doors is able to swing up to and against a shoulder portion formed from the cap and base portions. A metal pipe shaped sleeve having an approximate length of one foot is partially positioned along the longitudinal axis of the T-astragal molding. A bolt slides within the sleeve from a rest position to an extended position, where the extended position locks the attached door to a matching slot in the door frame.  
         [0021]     U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,350,207 and 5,328,217 (Sanders) disclose a locking astragal for attachment to an inactive leaf of a double doorway, in which an elongated astragal casing has a channel and bolt-slide assemblies mounted slidably within the channel. Each bolt-slide assembly includes a latching member and bolt. By depressing the latching member, the latching member can slide through the channel to extend and lock the bolts into indentations in the upper and lower surfaces of the door frame. The bolts may also be retracted back into the astragal to open the inactive leaf. Each latching member has an integral spring, which simplifies fabrication and assembly.  
         [0022]     U.S. Pat. No. 4,999,950 (Beske, et al.) discloses an inwardly swinging door assembly, which includes a door member hingedly mounted to a frame. A multi-point lock engages the frame at more than one point. Weather stripping is cooperatively connected to the edged surfaces. A pressure equalization member is cooperatively connected to the frame, for engaging the weather strip connected to the bottom edged surface.  
         [0023]     U.S. Pat. No. 4,644,696 (Bursk) discloses a patio door assembly for removable astragal, in which a double door installation includes an astragal, which is removably mounted in the head jamb and sill portions of a door frame independently of the doors, and which includes a locking mechanism in one door which incorporates a bolt arranged to project through the astragal into the other door to effect firm locking of both doors to each other and to the astragal. The mounting for the astragal in the door frame includes a sill anchor, which is fixed on the sill, and is provided with a vertical projection that fits in complementary relation within the hollow lower end of the stem portion of the astragal. At its upper end, the astragal is releasably secured to the head jamb by a latch assembly and an anchor of generally inverted cup shape, which is set in a complementary recess in the head jamb and functions as a keeper for the flush bolt, which is mounted for vertical sliding movement in the hollow upper end of the astragal stem portion.  
         [0024]     U.S. Pat. No. 4,535,578 (Gerken) discloses a seal-actuating mechanism for a wall panel, which when mounted in a wall panel of the type having channel-shaped opposed frame members can be installed, replaced or repaired without removing the exterior finished surface of the wall panel. The seal-actuating mechanism includes a rotatable shaft mounted between the opposed frame members, and an operator member including pivot lever means is mounted on each end thereof. At least one tension member is disposed in the cavity of each frame member, one end of which is coupled to the pivot lever means, and the other end of which is coupled to the shiftable seal assembly, so that when the shaft is rotated the seal assembly is shifted respectively from an extended unlatched position to its retracted latched position.  
         [0025]     U.S. Pat. No. 4,489,968 (Easley) discloses a selectively operable doorstop for converting a double-acting door to a single-acting door. A selectively removable or retractable doorstop for converting double-acting, double or single doors to a single-acting, single door, for permitting control over traffic into and out of public premises at desired times. The doorstop includes an intercept portion which can be selectively removably or retractably inserted into the path of a double-acting door thereby restricting it to opening in one direction only. Different embodiments of the doorstop are provided respectively for temporary or permanent mounting on or in a doorjamb, or on or in the stile of a temporarily fixed-in-place door, thus giving a selection of options for any specific situation.  
         [0026]     U.S. Pat. No. 4,488,378 (Symon) discloses an entrance for buildings, which comprises first and second doors mounted in a common door frame, each door including a lock stile positioned adjacent a lock stile of the other door when the doors are closed. A panic device is mounted on at least one of the doors for emergency opening thereof, and a retractable latch is extended between the stiles of the doors when closed, for minimizing or eliminating the unauthorized forced separation of the stiles into a position wherein the panic device can be actuated with an implement inserted from outside the entrance to release and open the door. Mechanism is included for interconnecting the latch and the panic device for retraction of the latch, when the panic device is actuated for opening the door, thus, providing both a substantially safe and secure entrance system.  
         [0027]     U.S. Pat. No. 4,429,493 (St. Aubin) discloses an astragal housing seal and lock, for use in a double door assembly having an active door and a relatively inactive door. The astragal has a vertically extending mullion housing, which is attached to the free edge of the relatively inactive door. A vertically extending slide section is mounted on the mullion housing on the sealing side of the free edge of the inactive door. The slide section extends from the free vertical edge of the inactive door, when the active door is in the closed position. The slide section is vertically movable from an unlocked position to a locked position, wherein the slide section is moved vertically downward with respect to the mullion housing to engage the sill/threshold of the door frame, thereby preventing movement of the inactive door.  
         [0028]     U.S. Pat. No. 4,262,450 (Anderson) discloses a sliding door structure, including an outer frame, at least one fixed and one movable door panel, and a screen door, the frame including a head having a single, inwardly extending movable door panel guiding fin and all mitered corners, which corners include integral, offset abutment structure for insuring proper alignment of the corners in assembly, weather stripping at both the top and bottom rail of both the fixed and movable door panels, bottom adjusting structure for the movable door panel, and two-member glazing structure for the door panels, capable of resisting high wind force and permitting glazing of the door panels from the inside. The frame and door panels include substantially universal and reversible members. Resilient bumpers, a weather stop, and prowler lock structure permitting locking of the sliding door structure of the movable door panel in a number of selected positions are also disclosed.  
         [0029]     U.S. Pat. No. 4,225,163 (Hubbard, et al.) discloses a panic device actuator for a door, which includes apparatus for unlatching a door mounted in a door frame and one or more elements movable for retracting one or more door latches normally engaged with the door frame for positively locking the door. The panic actuator includes a relatively large panel having an enlarged outer face responsive to pressure applied at any area thereon for unlocking the door without a key. A mounting system is provided for supporting the panel on the door for controlled movement in a horizontal direction in continuous parallelism with the face of the door in a direction normal to the door face. A linkage is provided for interconnecting the panel and the door latching element(s) for moving the same to unlock the door latches in response to pressure movement of the panel on the door.  
         [0030]     U.S. Pat. No. 4,204,369 (Hubbard) discloses an entrance door system, which includes an automatic astragal along an edge of a door and an operator on the door for controlling one or more latch assemblies normally engaged to latch an edge of the door with a member of a door frame in which the door is mounted. The latch assembly is mounted on the door to normally latch the door with the door frame, when the door is closed, and the latch is releasable to an unlatched condition, so that the door may be opened. The elongated astragal is mounted in parallel along the edge of the door and is guided for parallel movement between a retracted and an extended position. The door operator is effective for moving the astragal between retracted and extended positions, and the astragal is interconnected for moving the latch assembly to release the latching engagement, when the astragal is moved to the retracted position, so that the door may be opened.  
         [0031]     U.S. Pat. No. 4,058,332 (DiFazio) discloses an astragal and flush bolt assembly to be secured to a relatively stationary member, such as a door jamb or to the edge of an inactive door of a pair of double doors or the like. The astragal assembly includes a flat metal body mounted on the edge of the stationary member and a metal stop member secured to the body along one edge thereof. The flat body includes first and second spaced apart legs extending outwardly from the stationary member, with the flat body and legs defining a channel to receive and retain a door latch bolt from the active door. The stop member prevents movement of the door in a first direction, and when the latch bolt is engaged in the channel, the channel and the latch bolt prevent the door from moving in the opposite direction. A pair of flush bolts are slidably mounted in the channel, one adjacent each end thereof, so that when the astragal assembly is utilized with double doors, the flush bolts are moved to engage the header and sill, respectively, to hold the inactive door stationary. The astragal body is secured to the stop member by a thermal barrier or thermal break structure to provide thermal insulation between the inside and the outside of the doors. The stop member also includes a weather strip to form a tight seal against the active door, and when metal doors or metal covered doors are used, the weather strip may include a magnetic member to form a seal against the active door.  
         [0032]     U.S. Pat. No. 4,052,819 (Beischel, et al.) discloses a double door astragal, which comprises a rigid support member securable to the vertical edge portion of a normally inactive door, a rigid cover member securable in a plurality of positions relative to the rigid support member and mounted on the rigid support member with a U-shaped portion having an outer leg extending into the swinging path of the active door, and a flexible sealing member secured to the rigid support member and extending into the opening formed by the U-shaped portion of the cover member so as to contact the outside surface of the active door when the vertical edge portions of the active and inactive doors are in abutting relation, to provide an adjustable seal against weather.  
         [0033]     U.S. Pat. No. 4,009,537 (Hubbard) discloses an automatic astragal assembly for inclusion or attachment to a door edge, comprising an elongated astragal housing mounted on the door and having an outwardly opening longitudinal recess therein, an elongated astragal slidably mounted in the recess, means supporting the astragal in the recess for upward and inward relative movement in the housing in response to lifting of the astragal from lifting means mounted on an inside surface of the door, the lifting means including a lift slide mounted on the housing for reciprocal vertical movement and having an L-shaped slot defined therein with an interconnecting horizontal and vertical section and a dead lock pin engaged in the slot and secured to the astragal for elevating the same upon lifting movement of the slide, the vertical section of the slot and the dead lock pin engaging to prevent elevation of the astragal from pressure exerted against an outer edge of the astragal tending to force the astragal horizontally into the recess.  
         [0034]     U.S. Pat. No. 3,997,201 (DeSchaaf, et al.) discloses a latch structure for releasably locking a door to a cabinet, including switch structure for permitting operation of electrical apparatus associated therewith to be operated only when the door is in the latched closed position. The switch is hidden within the door behind the latch bolt, so as to be operated substantially only by the strike which has a preselected configuration, to effect the latching and switch operating operations. The bolt may be operated manually to release the door from the latched condition. A pivotally mounted operator is also disclosed for effecting the unlatching movement of the bolt.  
         [0035]     U.S. Pat. No. 3,940,886 (Ellingson, Jr). discloses a door locking structure forming a panic exit device, consisting of an elongated housing recessed within the leading edge of a door structure, an operating rod including latch bolts disposed in the housing, an astragal seated within a channel formed in the leading edge of the housing, link members connecting the rod and the astragal, and operating means carried by the housing operating the rod to move the astragal inwardly and outwardly of the channel, a plurality of cam headed lug members carried by the rod, a plurality of studs corresponding to the cam members extending rearwardly of the astragal, whereby latching movement of the rods moves the cam members to engage their corresponding studs to hold the astragal in an outward or extended dead locked position.  
         [0036]     Astragals with seals and other astragals have been disclosed. However, none of these astragals adequately satisfies the aforementioned needs.  
         [0037]     U.S. Pat. No. 5,857,291 (Headrick) discloses an astragal with integral sealing lock block, for use with a double door installation, which includes an astragal strip secured along a vertical edge of an inactive door. A lock block is slidably disposed in at least one end of the astragal strip, and can be moved between an extended position, for securing the inactive door, and a retracted position for freeing the inactive door. The lock block has a projecting bolt receivable in a receptacle in a door frame, when the lock block is slid to its extended position. A gasket is secured to an end of the lock block, and the bolt passes through an opening in the gasket. The gasket engages and seals against the door frame, when the lock block is in its extended position. Gaskets are also provided on the sides of the lock block, for engaging and sealing against the doors of the double door installation. When the doors are closed and secured in place, the lock block and gasket assembly prevents drafts from flowing under the door installation beneath the astragal thereof.  
         [0038]     U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,350,207 and 5,328,217 (Sanders) disclose locking astragals, for attaching to an inactive leaf of a double doorway, and in particular U.S. Pat. No. 5,350,207. Each of the locking astragals has an elongated astragal casing, which has a channel and bolt-slide assemblies mounted slidably within the channel. Each bolt-slide assembly includes a latching member and bolt. By depressing the latching member, the latching member can slide through the channel, to extend and lock the bolts into indentations in upper and lower surfaces of a door frame. The bolts may also be retracted back into the astragal, to open the inactive leaf. Each of the latching members has an integral spring, which simplifies fabrication and assembly.  
         [0039]     U.S. Pat. No. 6,491,326 (Massey, et al) discloses a swing adaptable astragal with lockable unitary flush bolt assemblies, for double door entryways, which includes an extruded aluminum frame into which upper and lower flush bolt assemblies are slidably disposed. The flush bolt assemblies include a long metal bolt about which is injection overmolded a series of retainer guides, which ride in the frame. Locking mechanisms are also integrally overmolded onto the bolts. The frame and all components of the astragal assembly are symmetrical and reversible, so that the assembly is non-handed; that is, it can be adapted to both a right hand swing and a left-hand swing inactive door. A strike plate mounting system and bottom-sealing block are provided, and the upper end of the assembly includes means for sealing against a stop of a head jamb. Drafts at upper and lower inside corners of the doors of a double door entryway may be prevented.  
         [0040]     U.S. Pat. No. 6,125,584 (Sanders) discloses an automatic door bottom for a hinged door, which is pivotable to be positioned over a sill when closed, the door having a hinge side and a width, the door bottom having an inverted channel having an open bottom, a length corresponding to the door width and a hinge end corresponding to the hinge side of the door; a sealing member having a length corresponding to the length of the channel, the sealing member being housed in the channel and being movable vertically downwardly into a sealing position, in which the sealing member contacts the sill when the door is closed; and a displacement mechanism installed in the channel and coupled to the sealing member, for moving the sealing member vertically into the sealing position in response to closing of the door, wherein the displacement mechanism is coupled to the sealing member at a plurality of points along the length of the sealing member, and is operative to move the end of the sealing member at the hinge side of the channel into the sealing position, prior to the remainder of the sealing member, during closing of the door.  
         [0041]     U.S. Pat. No. 6,457,751 (Hartman) discloses a locking assembly for an astragal, which can be attached to an inactive door of a double door unit of a residence or a building. The astragal is attached to an edge of the inactive door in space between the inactive door and active door. A separate locking assembly is attached adjacent a top end of the door and also adjacent a bottom end of the door. A plug having an elongated locking bolt extending therefrom is mounted in a front end of a carriage member. Additional structure is provided for reciprocal travel of the carriage member between a locked position and an unlocked position.  
         [0042]     U.S. Pat. No. 5,335,450 (Procton) discloses an astragal, which has an exterior aluminum extrusion and an interior wooden portion. The exterior extrusion includes a pair of rearwardly extending center walls, which form a channel for receiving the wooden interior portion. Attachments and door hardware can be installed in the wooden interior portion, while the extruded exterior acts as cladding.  
         [0043]     U.S. Pat. No. 5,590,919 (Germano) discloses a T-astragal and sleeve for door, for use with double swinging doors, such as for french doors. The T-astragal includes a cap portion perpendicular to a base portion, wherein both the cap and base can be formed from wood, such as plywood or plastic. The T-astragal is a molding that extends the full height of the swinging doors. One side of the base portion is fixably coupled to the free end of one of the swinging doors by nails or screws. The free end of the other swinging doors is able to swing up to and against a shoulder portion formed from the cap and base portions. A metal pipe shaped sleeve having an approximate length of one foot is partially positioned along the longitudinal axis of the T-astragal molding. A bolt slides within the sleeve from a rest position to an extended position, where the extended position locks the attached door to a matching slot in the door frame.  
         [0044]     U.S. Pat. No. 4,429,493 (St. Aubin) discloses an astragal housing seal and lock, for use in a double door assembly having an active door and a relatively inactive door. The astragal has a vertically extending mullion housing, which is attached to a free edge of the relatively inactive door. A vertically extending slide section is mounted on the mullion housing on a sealing side of the free edge of the inactive door. The slide section extends from the free vertical edge of the inactive door, when the active door is in the closed position. The slide section is vertically movable from an unlocked position to a locked position, wherein the slide section is moved vertically downward, with respect to the mullion housing, to engage the sill/threshold of the door frame, thereby preventing movement of the inactive door.  
         [0045]     U.S. Pat. No. 4,058,332 (DiFazio) discloses an astragal and flush bolt assembly to be secured to a relatively stationary member such as a door jamb or to the edge of an inactive door of a pair of double doors or the like. The astragal assembly includes a flat metal body mounted on the edge of the stationary member and a metal stop member secured to the body along one edge thereof. The flat body includes first and second spaced apart legs extending outwardly from the stationary member, with the flat body and legs defining a channel to receive and retain a door latch bolt from the active door. The stop member prevents movement of the door in a first direction, and when the latch bolt is engaged in the channel, the channel and latch bolt prevent the door from moving in the opposite direction. A pair of flush bolts are slidably mounted in the channel, one adjacent each end thereof, so that when the astragal assembly is utilized with double doors, the flush bolts are moved to engage the header and sill, respectively, to hold the inactive door stationary. The astragal body is secured to the stop member by a thermal barrier or thermal break structure, to provide thermal insulation between the inside and the outside of the doors. The stop member also includes a weather strip to form a seal against the active door, and when metal doors or metal covered doors are used, the weather strip may include a magnetic member to form a seal against the active door.  
         [0046]     U.S. Pat. No. 6,453,616 (Wright) discloses an astragal for use with exterior double door installations, such as french doors. When attached to the edge of a generally inactive door, the astragal provides a door stop for an active door, a seal to prevent intrusion of water, and a lock for the inactive door. The invention particularly pertains to extruded metal astragals, capable of increasing the resistance of the double door system to high wind conditions. The astragal comprises a longitudinally extending base member that has at least one longitudinally extending channel and a pair of spaced apart outwardly extending legs. At least one bolt is slidably inserted in the channel adjacent to one of the first and second ends of the channel. The astragal is attached to the door, by at least one cleat whose spaced apart arms engage the legs of the base member, providing resistance to the astragal rocking in relation to the door edge, when the doors are subject to wind forces.  
         [0047]     U.S. Pat. No. D293,719 (Stepanian) discloses a combined astragal extrusion and seal.  
         [0048]     For the foregoing reasons, there is a need for a self positioning astragal seal that prevents unwanted drafts, is easy to use and install in a quick, convenient, and efficient manner, is durable and long lasting, maintains its seal against drafts over time, even in situations where repeated opening and closing of the inactive door is necessary, and can be used with a variety of astragals and threshold sills, types, sizes, and shapes of threshold sills, doors, and door frames. The self positioning astragal seal should be capable of automatically positioning at least one seal at the lower end of the astragal adjacent the threshold sill, and prevent drafts at the vicinity of the lower end of the astragal and the threshold sill, and/or of automatically positioning at least one seal at the upper end of the astragal adjacent the header, and prevent drafts at the vicinity of the header. The self positioning astragal seal should independently position itself abuttingly adjacent the sill and/or the header when the bolts are extended from a retracted position to an extended position and are received by the upper and/or lower apertures in the upper and/or lower portions of the door frame. The astragal should also have a lock for locking the bolts into the extended position, and unlocking the bolts at a user&#39;s discretion, thus, provide additional security.  
       SUMMARY  
       [0049]     The present invention is directed to a locking astragal with a self positioning astragal seal that automatically positions at least one seal at the lower end of an astragal adjacent the threshold sill of a door frame, and prevent drafts at the vicinity of the lower end of the astragal and the threshold sill, and/or of automatically positions at least one seal at the upper end of the astragal adjacent the header of the door frame, and prevent drafts at the vicinity of the header. The self positioning astragal seal independently positions itself abuttingly adjacent the sill and/or the header when the astragal&#39;s bolts are extended from a retracted position to an extended position and are received by the upper and/or lower apertures in the upper and/or lower portions of the door frame. The self positioning astragal seal prevents unwanted drafts, is easy to use and install in a quick, convenient, and efficient manner, is durable and long lasting, maintains its seal against drafts over time, even in situations where repeated opening and closing of the inactive door is necessary, and can be used with a variety of astragals and threshold sills, types, sizes, and shapes of threshold sills, doors, and door frames. The astragal also has a lock for locking the bolts into the extended position, and unlocking the bolts at a user&#39;s discretion, thus, provide additional security.  
         [0050]     The locking astragal with self positioning astragal has a bolt having a bolt retracted position and a bolt extended position, spring means and a latching mechanism having a latch; the latching mechanism retracting the bolt into the bolt retracted position and compressing the spring means when the latch is retracted to a latch retracted position; the latching mechanism releasing the bolt and the spring means forcing the bolt into the bolt extended position and the latch into a latch released position when the latch is released, a self positioning astragal seal, comprising: a seal block having a catch and a hole, the bolt slidably disposed through the hole, the catch catching a portion of the bolt and holding the seal block in a seal block retracted position when the bolt is in the bolt retracted position and releasing the seal block when the bolt is in the bolt extended position; spring means forcing the seal block into a seal block extended position when the seal block is released, and an astragal lock, which locks the bolt into the bolt extended position when the astragal lock is locked and unlocks the bolt when the astragal lock is unlocked, which when unlocked allows the bolt to be moved from the bolt extended position to the bolt retracted position and from the bolt retracted position to the bolt extended position. The astragal lock has a lock cylinder, which is rotatably mounted to the astragal, the lock cylinder having an axis substantially perpendicular to the axis of the astragal bolt, and a notch, which has an axis substantially perpendicular to the axis of the lock cylinder, the notch preferably having an arcuate shape and slidably matingly accepting the astragal bolt therethrough when the astragal lock is unlocked and in an unlocked position, the lock cylinder preventing movement of the astragal bolt and locking the astragal bolt in the bolt extended position, when the lock cylinder is rotated into a locked position, which is substantially perpendicular to the unlocked position. The lock cylinder also has a stop, which limits the angular rotation of the lock cylinder to substantially ninety degrees.  
         [0051]     An astragal having features of the present invention comprises: a bolt having a bolt retracted position and a bolt extended position; a lock having a locked position and an unlocked position, the lock locking the bolt into the bolt extended position when the bolt is in the bolt extended position and the lock is in the locked position, the lock unlocking the bolt when the lock is in the unlocked position; a seal block having a catch and a hole, the bolt slidably disposed through the hole, the catch catching a portion of the bolt and holding the seal block in a seal block retracted position when the bolt is in the bolt retracted position and releasing the seal block when the bolt is in the bolt extended position; spring means forcing the seal block into a seal block extended position when the seal block is released.  
     
    
     DRAWINGS  
       [0052]     These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with regard to the following description, appended claims, and accompanying drawings where:  
         [0053]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a locking astragal with a self positioning astragal seal, constructed in accordance with the present invention, shown locked with a bolt and the self positioning astragal seal extended;  
         [0054]      FIG. 1A  is a perspective section view of the locking astragal with the self positioning astragal seal of  FIG. 1 ;  
         [0055]      FIG. 1B  is a section view of the locking astragal with the self positioning astragal seal of  FIG. 1 ;  
         [0056]      FIG. 1C  is an exploded section view of the locking astragal with the self positioning astragal seal of  FIG. 1 ;  
         [0057]      FIG. 2  is a perspective view of a locking astragal with the self positioning astragal seal, shown unlocked with the bolt and the self positioning astragal seal retracted;  
         [0058]      FIG. 2A  is a perspective section view of the locking astragal with the self positioning astragal seal of  FIG. 2 ;  
         [0059]      FIG. 2B  is a section view of the locking astragal with the self positioning astragal seal of  FIG. 2 ;  
         [0060]      FIG. 2C  is an exploded section view of the locking astragal with the self positioning astragal seal of  FIG. 2 ;  
         [0061]      FIG. 3  is an exploded view of the locking astragal with the self positioning astragal seal and a latching mechanism;  
         [0062]      FIG. 4  is an exploded view of selected components of the locking astragal with the self positioning astragal seal and a portion of the latching mechanism of  FIG. 3 ;  
         [0063]      FIG. 5  is an exploded view of the latching mechanism of  FIG. 3 ;  
         [0064]      FIG. 6  is a perspective view of entrance doors, comprising an inactive door, shown in a closed position, and an active door;  
         [0065]      FIG. 7  is a perspective view of the inactive door, showing the locking astragal with the self positioning astragal seal installed on the inactive door, shown locked with the bolt and the self positioning astragal seal extended;  
         [0066]      FIG. 8  is a section view of the locking astragal with the self positioning astragal seal, shown locked with the bolt and the self positioning astragal seal extended;  
         [0067]      FIG. 9  is a section view of the locking astragal with the self positioning astragal seal, shown locked with the bolt and the self positioning astragal seal extended;  
         [0068]      FIG. 10  is another section view of the locking astragal with the self positioning astragal seal, with the bolt and the self positioning astragal seal extended;  
         [0069]      FIG. 11  is another section view of the locking astragal with the self positioning astragal seal, with the bolt and the self positioning astragal seal extended;  
         [0070]      FIG. 12  is another section view of the locking astragal with the self positioning astragal seal, with the bolt and the self positioning astragal seal extended;  
         [0071]      FIG. 13  is another section view of the locking astragal with the self positioning astragal seal, with the bolt and the self positioning astragal seal extended;  
         [0072]      FIG. 14  is another section view of the locking astragal with the bolt and the self positioning astragal seal, with the self positioning astragal seal extended;  
         [0073]      FIG. 15  is a section view of the latching mechanism of  FIG. 3 , along a portion of line  8 - 8  of  FIG. 7 , with the bolt and the self positioning astragal seal extended;  
         [0074]      FIG. 16  is a section view of the locking astragal with the self positioning astragal seal, along a portion of line  8 - 8  of  FIG. 7 , shown locked with the bolt and the self positioning astragal seal extended;  
         [0075]      FIG. 17  is a section view of the locking astragal with the self positioning astragal seal, shown unlocked with the bolt and the self positioning astragal seal retracted;  
         [0076]      FIG. 18  is another section view of the locking astragal with the self positioning astragal seal, shown unlocked with the bolt and the self positioning astragal seal retracted;  
         [0077]      FIG. 19  is an exploded view of an upper bolt and latching mechanism of the astragal of  FIG. 7 ;  
         [0078]      FIG. 20  is a section view of an alternate embodiment of a locking astragal with a self positioning astragal seal, shown installed on the inactive door;  
         [0079]      FIG. 21  is a section view of an alternate embodiment of a locking astragal with a self positioning astragal seal, shown installed on the inactive door;  
         [0080]      FIG. 22  is a section view of an alternate embodiment of a locking astragal with a self positioning astragal seal, shown installed on the inactive door and also showing the active door;  
         [0081]      FIG. 23  is a section view of an alternate embodiment of a locking astragal with a self positioning astragal seal, shown installed on the inactive door and also showing the active door;  
         [0082]      FIG. 24  is a section view of an alternate embodiment of a locking astragal with a self positioning astragal seal, shown installed on the inactive door and also showing the active door;  
         [0083]      FIG. 25  is a section view of an alternate embodiment of a locking astragal with a self positioning astragal seal, shown installed on the inactive door and also showing the active door; and  
         [0084]      FIG. 26  is a perspective view of a locking astragal, constructed in accordance with the present invention, shown locked with a bolt extended;  
         [0085]      FIG. 26A  is a perspective section view of the locking astragal of  FIG. 26 ;  
         [0086]      FIG. 26B  is a section view of the locking astragal of  FIG. 26 ;  
         [0087]      FIG. 26C  is an exploded section view of the locking astragal of  FIG. 26 ;  
         [0088]      FIG. 27  is a perspective view of the locking astragal of  FIG. 26 , shown unlocked with the bolt retracted;  
         [0089]      FIG. 27A  is a perspective section view of the locking astragal of  FIG. 27 ;  
         [0090]      FIG. 27B  is a section view of the locking astragal of  FIG. 27 ;  
         [0091]      FIG. 27C  is an exploded section view of the locking astragal of  FIG. 27 ;  
         [0092]      FIG. 28  is an exploded view of the locking astragal of  FIGS. 26 and 27  and a latching mechanism; and  
         [0093]      FIG. 29  is another exploded view of the locking astragal of  FIGS. 26 and 27  and the latching mechanism of  FIG. 28 ;  
     
    
     REFERENCE NUMERALS  
       [0094]     These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with regard to the references and associated reference numerals of the following description and accompanying drawings where: 
         1  locking astragal with self positioning astragal seal      2  lock      10  self positioning astragal seal      12  seal block      14  seal block hole      16  shoulder      18  compression spring      20  end seal      30  astragal      42  inactive door edge      44  inactive door      46  sill      48  door frame      52  elongated guide      54  elongated guide channel      56  lower bolt      58  shoulder      60  astragal bottom      74  seal block bottom      78  seal block base      80  face plate      82  guide block      84  “T” shaped member      86  compression spring guide holder      88  compression spring bottom end      90  base top      92  barrel      94  barrel extension      96  barrel extension arcuate interior      98  extension      100  extension arcuate interior      102  T top portion      104  arcuate interior      105  angled edges      106  shoulder      108  face plate reinforcement      110  face plate stop      112  guide block edge stop      114  guide block reinforcement      116  guide block stop      130  astragal recess      132  astragal extension stop      134  astragal retraction stop      136  astragal opposing side      138  astragal side portion      140  astragal side      142  side channel      144  threaded hole      146  threaded hole      148  set screw      150  angled longitudinal channel edge      152  compression spring top end      154  seal hole      156  face seal      158  face plate exterior side      160  active door edge      162  active door      164  header      166  seal peel off adhesive strip      168  face seal peel off adhesive strip      180  astragal housing      182  longitudinal channel      184  longitudinal retention guide      185  channel base      186  lockset strike      188  deadbolt strike      190  upper bolt      191  upper bolt assembly      192  lockset      194  deadbolt      196  lockset cover plate      198  deadbolt cover plate      199  screws      200  latching member      202  pull block      204  elongated connector      206  compression spring      208  slide plate      210  bolt lower portion      212  bolt mid portion      214  bolt upper portion      216  bolt slot      218  bolt hole      220  end pin      222  elongated connector hole      224  pin      226  pin      228  pull block track      230  pull block retention track      232  pull block retention track      234  pull block channel      236  pull block channel      238  pull block notch      240  pull block base      242  pull block notch      244  pull block bearing notch      246  pull block notch side      248  lever arm receiving hole      250  lever arm      252  trunnion      254  spring tail      256  latching dog      260  slide plate retraction hole      262  slide plate extension hole      264  slide plate notch      266  slide plate end tab      268  slide plate projecting tab      270  slide plate projecting notch      280  elongated guide notched recess      282  elongated guide end      284  pull block arrow marking      286  arcuate side      288  arcuate base      289  oblique angled side portion      290  longitudinally disposed side channel base wall      291  longitudinally disposed side channel side wall      292  lock mounting hole      293  lock cylinder      294  arcuate keyway      295  arcuate tab      296  lock stop      297  unlock stop      298  head      299  slot      300  alternate astragal housing      302  saw tooth recess      304  finned tail      306  foam weather strip      308  cavity      310  alternate astragal housing      312  thermal break      314  slot      320  alternate astragal      322  alternate astragal housing      324  cover      326  outer seal      328  inner seal      330  alternate astragal      332  thermal break      340  alternate astragal      342  cover element      344  saw tooth recess      346  finned tail      348  weather strip seal      349  inner seal      350  alternate astragal      352  thermal break      400  mounting shoulder      402  bearing surface      404  astragal longitudinal wall      406  lock contact area      408  unlock contact area      410  lock cylinder wall      412  bolt top contact portion      414  other bolt top portion      416  bolt portion      500  locking astragal        
 
       DESCRIPTION  
       [0252]     The preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to  FIGS. 1-29  of the drawings. Identical elements in the various figures are identified with the same reference numbers.  
         [0253]      FIGS. 1-19  show an embodiment of the present invention, a locking astragal with self positioning astragal seal  1 , which has a lock  2  and a self positioning astragal seal  10 . The self positioning astragal seal  10  comprises a seal block  12  having a substantially centrally disposed hole  14  therethrough, a shoulder  16 , compression springs  18 , and end seal  20 , for use with an astragal  30 .  
         [0254]     The astragal  30  is mounted to edge  42  of inactive door  44 , and the self positioning astragal seal  10  is mounted to the astragal  30  adjacent sill  46  of door frame  48 , as shown in  FIGS. 6 and 7 . The astragal  30  has an elongated guide  52  having a substantially centrally disposed longitudinal channel  54  and a bolt  56  having a shoulder  58 , the bolt  56  slidably mounted therein the substantially centrally disposed longitudinal channel  54 .  
         [0255]     The astragal seal shoulder  16  catches the bolt shoulder  58  when the bolt  56  is retracted to a retracted position, as shown in  FIGS. 2, 17 , and  18 , and is released from the bolt shoulder  58  when the bolt  56  is extended to an extended position, as shown in  FIGS. 1 and 7 - 16 , the compression springs  18  forcing the seal block  12  into an extended position, when the bolt  56  is in the bolt extended position. The seal block  12  is, thus, retracted to a retracted position, the astragal seal shoulder  16  catching and abutting the bolt shoulder  58 , and holding the seal block  12  in a seal block retracted position when the bolt  56  is in the bolt retracted position. The seal block  12  is extended to the seal block extended position, when the astragal seal shoulder  16  is released from the bolt shoulder  58 , the compression springs  18  forcing the seal block  12  into the seal block extended position, when the bolt  56  is in the bolt extended position. The astragal seal shoulder  16 , thus, acts as a catch, which catches the bolt shoulder  58  when the bolt  56  is retracted to the bolt retracted position, and is released from the bolt shoulder  58  when the bolt  56  is extended to the bolt extended position.  
         [0256]     FIGS.  1 ,  1 A- 1 C,  7 - 9 , and  16  show the bolt  56  locked into the bolt extended position with the lock  2  locked. FIGS.  2 ,  2 A- 2 C,  17 , and  18  show the bolt  56  in the bolt retracted position with the lock  2  unlocked.  
         [0257]     The self positioning astragal seal  10  automatically and independently adjusts itself to fit snugly and fill any gaps between bottom  60  of the astragal  30  and the sill  46  of the door frame  48 , when the bolt  56  is in the bolt extended position, thus, preventing unwanted drafts between bottom  74  of the seal block  12  and the sill  46  of the door frame  48 , the compression springs  18  forcing the seal block  12  opposingly away from the bottom  60  of the astragal  30  and forcing the end seal  20 , which is affixed to the bottom  74  of the seal block  12 , to abut the sill  46  of the door frame  48 .  
         [0258]     The seal block  12  has base  78 , face plate  80 , and guide block  82 , which is adjacent the inactive door edge  42 , when the self positioning astragal seal  10  and the astragal are installed on the inactive door  44  and the seal block  12  is in the retracted position, the face plate  80  and the guide block  82  being substantially perpendicular to the base  78 , and substantially parallel one to the other.  
         [0259]     The seal block  12  has substantially “T” shaped member  84  integral with the guide block  82  and compression spring guide holders  86 , which hold the compression springs  18  in place, the compression springs  18  being mounted about the compression spring holders  86 , with bottom ends  88  of the compression springs  18  abutting top  90  of the base  78 . The seal block  12  has barrel  92  integral with the guide block  82 , the barrel  92  having the substantially centrally disposed hole  14  therethrough to the bottom  74  of the seal block  12 , the bolt  56  slidable therethrough the substantially centrally disposed hole  14 , and the seal block  12  slidable about the bolt  56 . The barrel  92  has extension  94 , which is integral with the barrel  92 , having arcuate interior  96 , which is substantially collinear with the interior of the barrel  92 , and extension  98  having the shoulder  16  and arcuate interior  100 . The substantially “T” shaped member  84  has T top portion  102 , which has arcuate interior  104 , angled edges  105 , and shoulder  106 . The face plate  80  has reinforcements  108  having stops  110 . The guide block  82  has edge stops  112  and reinforcements  114  having stops  116 . The compression spring holders  86  have splines for reinforcement.  
         [0260]     The elongated guide  52  of the astragal  30  has recesses  130 , which have extension stops  132  and retraction stops  134  at opposing ends thereof, and substantially planar opposing side  136 . The elongated guide  52  of the astragal  30  has substantially planar side portions  138  adjacent the recesses  130 , which oppose the substantially planar opposing side  136 , and sides  140 , which are substantially perpendicular to the substantially planar side portions  138 , the recesses  130 , and the substantially planar opposing side  136 . The elongated guide  52  also has opposing longitudinally disposed side channels  142 . The substantially planar side portions  138  and the substantially planar opposing side  136  have threaded holes  144  and  146 , respectively, therethrough, opposing one another, having set screws  148  therein, the set screws  148  extending across the longitudinally disposed side channels  142 . The elongated guide  52  also has angled longitudinal edges  150  atop the substantially centrally disposed longitudinal channel  54  adjacent the recesses  130  and the substantially planar side portions  138 .  
         [0261]     The substantially “T” shaped member  84  and the face plate  80  of the seal block  12  matingly sandwich the recesses  130  and the substantially planar opposing side  136  of the astragal  30 , respectively, therebetween, and retain the seal block  12  slidably mating about the elongated guide  52  between the seal block retracted position and the seal block extended position, and vice versa.  
         [0262]     The compression springs  18  are mounted about the compression spring holders  86 , with the bottom ends  88  of the compression springs  18  abutting the top  90  of the base  78  of the seal block  12  and top  152  of the compression springs  18  abutting the set screws  148  in the longitudinally disposed side channels  142  of the astragal  30 . The compression springs  18  are held in the longitudinally disposed side channels  142  of the astragal  30  under compression, the extension stops  132  of the astragal  30  preventing the compression springs  18  from forcing the substantially “T” shaped member  84  out of the recesses  130 .  
         [0263]     The barrel  92  of the seal block  12  is matingly slidable about the bolt  56  of the astragal  30 , and the bolt  56  is matingly slidable therethrough the substantially centrally disposed hole  14  of the barrel  92  of the seal block  12 . The angled edges  105  of the substantially “T” shaped member  84  matingly abut the angled longitudinal edges  150  of the astragal  30 . The angled edges  105  of the substantially “T” shaped member  84  and the barrel  92  of the guide block  82  guide the seal block  12  collinearly with the angled longitudinal edges  150  of the astragal  30  and the substantially centrally disposed longitudinal channel  54 , the bolt  56  being substantially aligned with the substantially centrally disposed longitudinal channel  54 .  
         [0264]     The extension stops  132  and the retraction stops  134  limit the extent of travel of the substantially “T” shaped member  84 , and, thus, limit the extent of travel of the seal block  12  and the end seal  20  from the seal block extended position to the seal block retracted position, respectively, the compression springs  18  forcing the seal block  12  into the extended position, other than when the seal block  12  is retracted. The seal block  12  is retracted to the retracted position, the astragal seal shoulder  16  catching and abutting the bolt shoulder  58 , and holding the seal block  12  in the seal block retracted position, when the bolt  56  is in the bolt retracted position. The seal block  12  is extended to the seal block extended position, when the astragal seal shoulder  16  is released from the bolt shoulder  58 , the compression springs  18  forcing the seal block  12  into the seal block extended position, when the bolt  56  is in the bolt extended position.  
         [0265]     The end seal  20  has substantially centrally disposed hole  154  therethrough, which is substantially aligned collinearly with the substantially centrally disposed hole  14  of the seal block  12 , which allows the end seal  20  to slide about the bolt  56 , and vice versa. The self positioning astragal seal  10  has face seal  156 , which is affixed to exterior side  158  of the face plate  78  of the seal block  20  and abuts edge  160  of active door  162 , when the active door  162  is closed abuttingly against the inactive door  44 , thus, preventing unwanted drafts between the self positioning astragal seal  10  and the edge  160  of the active door  162 . The astragal  30  also has edge seal  163 .  
         [0266]     The self positioning astragal seal  10  may be used with the astragal  30  adjacent the sill  46  and/or header  164  of the door frame  48 , and may be used with the inactive door  44  and/or the active door  162 . Typical installations, however, have the astragal  30  mounted to the edge  42  of the inactive door  44 , and the self positioning position astragal end seal  20  mounted to the astragal  30  adjacent the sill  46 .  
         [0267]     The self positioning astragal seal  10  may be used with a variety of astragals but is preferably used with the astragal  30  shown in the accompanying figures. Other astragals may be modified to suit the needs of particular applications.  
         [0268]     The end seal  20  and the face seal  156  may have adhesives covered by peel off adhesive strips  166  and  168 , respectively, the end seal  20  and the face seal  156  being fastened to the seal block  12  with the adhesives, upon removal of the adhesive strips  166  and  168 , respectively.  
         [0269]     The astragal  30  has astragal housing  180  having longitudinal channel  182 , which has longitudinal retention guides  184 , the elongated guide  52  inserted into the longitudinal channel  182  and held in the longitudinal channel  182  by the retention guides  184  and the set screws  148 , and channel base  185 , the set screws  148  locking the elongated guide  52  into the astragal housing  180 . The astragal  30  also has lockset strike  186 , deadbolt strike  188 , and upper bolt  190  mounted to the longitudinal channel  182  of the astragal housing  180 , the bolt  56  and the upper bolt  190  being used to lock the astragal  30 , and, thus, the inactive door  44 , which the astragal  30  is affixed to, to the sill  46  and the header  164 , respectively, of the door frame  48 . The upper bolt  190  may be used with the self positioning astragal seal  10  and/or alternatively the upper bolt  190  may use an alternative sealing means. Upper bolt assembly  191  having the upper bolt  190  is installed into the longitudinal channel  182  in substantially the same manner as the elongated guide  52 . The active door  162  has lockset  192  and deadbolt  194 , which are received by lockset strike  186 , deadbolt strike  188 , respectively, on the inactive door  44 , for securing the active door  162  to the inactive door  134  when the active door  162  is closed abuttingly adjacent the inactive door  44 . The astragal housing  180  has lockset cover plate  196  and deadbolt cover plate  198 , which are mounted to the astragal housing  180 , the lockset strike  186  and the deadbolt strike  188  being fastened to the lockset cover plate  196  and the deadbolt cover plate  198  with screws  199 .  
         [0270]     The astragal  30  has latching member  200 , pull block  202 , elongated connector  204 , compression spring  206  about the elongated connector  204 , and slide plate  208 . The bolt  56  has lower portion  210 , mid portion  212  adjacent the shoulder  58 , the mid portion  212  having a smaller diameter than the diameter of the lower portion  210 , and upper portion  214 , the upper portion  214  of the bolt  56  having substantially the same diameter as the lower portion  210 , and having a slot  216  therethrough and a hole  218  therethrough, the slot  216  and the hole  218  substantially perpendicular one to the other.  
         [0271]     The elongated connector  204  has end pin  220 , opposing hole  222 , and pin  224  therebetween, the end pin  220  and the pin  224  substantially perpendicular to the plane of the elongated connector  204 . The elongated connector  204  is sandwiched in the slot  216  of the upper portion  214  of the bolt  56 , the hole  218  and the hole  222  aligned one with the other, the bolt  56  and the elongated connector  204  pinned one to the other with pin  226 , the pin  226  therethrough the holes  222  and  218 .  
         [0272]     The pull block  202  has longitudinal tracks  228 , retention tracks  230  and  232 , and channels  234  and  236 , the channels  234  between the longitudinal tracks  228  and the retention tracks  230 , and the channels  236  between the longitudinal tracks  230  and the retention tracks  232 . The pull block  202  is inserted into the longitudinal channel  182  of the astragal housing  180 , the channels  234  and  236  being adjacent to the retention guides  184  of the astragal housing  180 , the retention guides  184  slidably retaining the pull block  204  in the astragal housing  180 . The pull block  202  has substantially centrally disposed notch  238  at base  240  of the pull block  202 , notch  242  adjacent and substantially perpendicular to the substantially centrally disposed notch  238 , and bearing notches  244 . The substantially centrally disposed notch  238  is adjacent to and surrounds the elongated connector  204  adjacent the end pin  220  of the elongated connector  204 ; and sides  246  of the notch  242  surround and abut the end pin  220 , thus, pinning the elongated connector  204  to the pull block  202  one to the other. The pull block  202  also has lever arm receiving hole  248 .  
         [0273]     The latching member  200  has lever arm  250 , which has trunnions  252  protruding therefrom, spring tail  254 , and latching dog  256 .  
         [0274]     The slide plate  208  has retraction hole  260 , extension hole  262 , notches  264 , which form end tabs  266 , and projecting tabs  268 , which form projecting notch  270  therebetween, the projecting notch  270  for matingly slidably receiving the elongated connector  204  therebetween.  
         [0275]     The elongated guide  52  is locked into the astragal housing  180  with the set screws  148 . The elongated guide  52  has notched recesses  280  opposing the recesses  130 , the notched recesses  280  matingly receiving the end tabs  266  of the slide plate  208  therein, and adjacent ends  282 , the notches  264  of the slide plate  208  matingly receiving the ends  282  of the elongated guide  52  therein, the slide plate  208  being sandwiched and locked between the elongated guide  52  and the channel base  185  of the astragal housing  180 . The projecting notch  270  of the slide plate  208  slidably guides the elongated connector  204 , which is located in the projecting notch  270 , substantially collinear with the center line of the elongated guide  52 .  
         [0276]     The latching member  200  is sandwiched between the pull block  202  and the slide plate  208 , with the trunnions  252  in the bearing notches  244  of the pull block  202  and the lever arm  250  extending through the lever arm receiving hole  248  of the pull block  202 , thus facilitating operator control.  
         [0277]     The retraction hole  260  and the extension hole  262  of the latching member  200  matingly receive the latching dog  256  of the latching member  200  therein.  
         [0278]     The latching member  200  may be retracted to a latching member retracted position, when the lever arm  250  of the pull block  202  is depressed and pushed in the direction of pull block arrow marking  284 , which pulls the elongated connector  204  in the direction of the pull block arrow marking  284 , pulls the bolt  56  into the bolt retracted position, pulls the seal block  12  into the seal block retracted position, compresses the compression springs  18 , and compresses the compression spring  206  between the pin  224  of the elongated connector  204  and the projecting tabs  268  of the slide plate  208 . When the latching member  200  is retracted to the latching member retracted position, the spring tail  254  of the latching member  200  forces the latching dog  256  into the retraction hole  260  of the slide plate  208 , thus, locking the bolt  56  into the bolt retracted position and locking the seal block  12  into the seal block retracted position.  
         [0279]     The latching member  200  may be released into a latching member extended position from the latching member retracted position, when the lever arm  250  of the pull block  202  is depressed and released, releasing compression from the compression spring  206  between the pin  224  of the elongated connector  204  and the projecting tabs  268  of the slide plate  268 , forcing the elongated connector  204  in the direction opposing the pull block arrow marking  284 , forcing the bolt  56  into the bolt extended position, releasing compression on the compression springs  18 , which forces the seal block  12  into the seal block extended position. When the latching member  200  is released, the latching member  200  snaps into latching member extended position, the latching dog  256  snaps into the extension hole  262  of the slide plate  208 , the spring tail  254  of the latching member  200  forcing the latching dog  256  into the extension hole  262 , thus, locking the bolt  56  into the bolt extended position with the seal block  12  in the seal block extended position, the seal block  12  automatically and independently self positioned with the end seal  20  abutting the sill  46  of the door frame  48 . The latching member  200  may alternatively be pushed into the latch member extended position.  
         [0280]     The substantially centrally disposed longitudinal channel  54  of the elongated guide  52  has arcuate sides  286  and arcuate base  288  to slidably and matingly accommodate the bolt  56 , the lower portion  210  and the upper portion  214  of which are substantially cylindrical and have substantially the same diameter. The mid portion  212  of the bolt  56  is also substantially cylindrical, but has a smaller diameter than the diameter than that of the lower portion  210  and the upper portion  214 .  
         [0281]     The elongated guide  52  also has oblique angled side portions  289  between the substantially planar side portions  138  and the arcuate sides  286  of the substantially centrally disposed longitudinal channel  54 . The longitudinally disposed side channels  142  have base walls  290 , which oppose the arcuate sides  286  of the substantially centrally disposed longitudinal channel  54 , and side walls  291  opposingly adjacent the substantially planar opposing side  136 .  
         [0282]     Again, FIGS.  1 ,  1 A- 1 C,  7 - 9 , and  16  show the bolt  56  locked into the bolt extended position with the lock  2  locked in the locked position, and FIGS.  2 ,  2 A- 2 C,  17 , and  18  show the bolt  56  in the bolt retracted position with the lock  2  unlocked in the unlocked position. The elongated guide  52  has lock mounting hole  292  therethrough one of the substantially planar side portions  138 , the adjacent one of the oblique angled side portions  289 , the adjacent one of the arcuate sides  286  of the substantially centrally disposed longitudinal channel  54  and the adjacent one of the opposing longitudinally disposed side channel base walls  290 , and through the adjacent one of the longitudinally disposed side channel side walls  291  and the substantially planar opposing side  136 . The lock  2  is mounted in the lock mounting hole  292 .  
         [0283]     The lock  2  comprises lock cylinder  293 , the lock cylinder  293  having an arcuate keyway  294 , arcuate tab  295  having lock stop  296  and unlock stop  297 , head  298  having slot  299 , mounting shoulder  400 , and bearing surface  402 . The lock  2  is rotatably mounted in the lock mounting hole  292 , with the mounting shoulder  400  rotatably mounted about the longitudinally disposed side channel side wall  291  adjacent the lock mounting hole  292 .  
         [0284]     The astragal  30  has longitudinal wall  404  adjacent the edge  42  of the inactive door  44 . The lock  2  is rotatably mounted and held within the locking astragal with self positioning astragal seal  1  between the longitudinal wall  404  and the longitudinally disposed side channel side wall  291  adjacent the lock mounting hole  292 . The bearing surface  402  of the lock  2  is rotatably mounted abuttingly about the longitudinal wall  404 , and the mounting shoulder  400  is rotatably mounted abuttingly about the longitudinally disposed side channel side wall  291  adjacent the lock mounting hole  292 , thus, rotatably holding the lock  2  within the locking astragal with self positioning astragal seal  1 .  
         [0285]     The arcuate tab  295  has a substantially ninety degree arc. The lock stop  296  and the unlock stop  297  are, thus, substantially perpendicular to each other, and thus, the locked position and the unlocked position of the lock  2  are substantially perpendicular to each other. The opposing longitudinally disposed side channel base wall  290  has lock contact area  406  and unlock contact area  408 , each adjacent to and on opposing sided of the lock mounting hole  292 . The lock stop  296  contacts the lock contact area  406  of the opposing longitudinally disposed side channel base wall  290  when the lock  2  is locked, and the unlock stop  297  contacts the unlock contact area  408  of the opposing longitudinally disposed side channel base wall  290  when the lock  2  is unlocked. The slot  299  at the head  298  of the lock  2  is substantially perpendicular to the axis of the bolt  56 , when the lock  2  is locked, the lock  2  is in the locked position and the lock stop  296  contacts the lock contact area  406  of the opposing longitudinally disposed side channel base wall  290 , indicating to a user that the bolt  56  is locked in the bolt extended position. The slot  299  at the head  298  of the lock  2  is substantially parallel to the axis of the bolt  56 , when the lock  2  is unlocked, the lock  2  is in the unlocked position and the unlock stop  297  contacts the unlock contact area  408  of the opposing longitudinally disposed side channel base wall  290 , indicating to the user that the bolt  56  is unlocked and may be moved from the bolt extended position to the bolt retracted position and vice versa, or the bolt  56  may be left in either the bolt extended position or the bolt retracted position, at the user&#39;s discretion. The lock  2  may be locked or unlocked by rotating the slot  299  at the head  298  of the lock  2  substantially ninety degrees from either unlocked to locked or substantially ninety degrees from locked to unlocked.  
         [0286]     The lock cylinder  293  has wall  410 , and the bolt  56  has bolt top contact portion  412  and other bolt top portion  414 , the bolt top contact portion  412  being adjacent the wall  410  of the lock cylinder  293 , when the lock  2  is locked. When the lock  2  is locked, the lock  2  is in the locked position and the lock stop  296  contacts the lock contact area  406  of the opposing longitudinally disposed side channel base wall  290 , the bolt top contact portion  412  of the bolt  56  is blocked by the wall  410  of the lock cylinder  293 , which prevents the bolt  56  from moving from the bolt extended position to the bolt retracted position, thus, locking the bolt  56  in the bolt extended position. When the lock  2  is unlocked, the lock  2  is in the unlocked position and the unlock stop  297  contacts the unlock contact area  408  of the opposing longitudinally disposed side channel base wall  290 , the axis of the arcuate keyway  294  is substantially parallel to the axis of the bolt  56 , the bolt  56  is unlocked, and portion  416  of the bolt  56  adjacent the arcuate keyway  294  of the lock  2  may be slidably moved through the arcuate keyway  294 , thus, allowing movement of the bolt  56  from the bolt extended position to the bolt retracted position and vice versa, or the bolt  56  may be left in either the bolt extended position or the bolt retracted position.  
         [0287]     A screwdriver or other suitable tool may be used to lock or unlock the lock  2 , by inserting the screwdriver or other suitable tool into the slot  299  and rotating the head  298 , and, thus, the lock  2  into the locked position or the unlocked position. Other suitable means may alternatively be used to rotate the lock  2  into the locked or unlocked position. The head  298  may, in lieu of or in addition to the slot  299 , which acts as a keyway, alternatively have a socket, a keyway, a protuberance, such as, for example, having a hex head, a knob, such as a knurled knob, or other suitable means adapted to facilitate rotating the lock  2 , in which case an alan wrench, a wrench, other suitable tool, or other suitable means may be used to rotate the lock  2  into the locked or unlocked position.  
         [0288]     The lock  2  is preferably injection molded from an engineered plastic resin that has properties to provide strength, such as an acetal, although metal, such as aluminum or steel, thermoplastics, thermosetting polymers, rubber, or other suitable materials may be used.  
         [0289]     The astragal housing  180  and the elongated guide  52  are preferably of metal, such as aluminum or steel, thermoplastics, thermosetting polymers, rubber, or other suitable material or combination thereof.  
         [0290]     The seal block  12  and the latching member  200  are preferably injection molded from an engineered plastic resin that has properties to provide flexural strength, such as an acetal, although other suitable materials may be used. The end seal  20  and the face seal  156  are preferably of cellular material, such as closed cell neoprene sponge, although other suitable materials may be used.  
         [0291]      FIG. 15  shows the latching member  200  with the lever arm  250  depressed and the latching dog  256  ready to be moved to the retraction hole  260  of the slide plate  208 , which is shown after being moved in  FIGS. 17 and 18 . The seal block  12  is also retracted along with the bolt  56 , when the latching dog  256  is moved into the retraction hole  260 , as shown in  FIGS. 17 and 18 .  
         [0292]     The active door  162  and the inactive door  44  are “handed” as either right hand, in which the hinges of the active door  162  are on the right side of the active door  162  as viewed from the outside of the door frame  48  and left hand if the hinges of the active door  162  are on the left side of the door frame  48  as viewed from the outside of the door frame  48 . The elongated guide  52  and the self positioning astragal seal  10  may easily be reversed from left hand to right hand, and vice versa, by merely loosening the set screws  148 , removing the elongated guide  52  with the self positioning astragal seal  10  from the longitudinal channel  182  of the astragal housing  180 , and installing the elongated guide  52  with the self positioning astragal seal  10  on the end of the astragal housing  180  opposing that from which it was removed, thus, converting the astragal  30  from one hand to the other.  
         [0293]      FIGS. 20-25  show alternate embodiments of astragals having astragal housings that the self positioning astragal  10  may be used with, although other suitable astragals having other suitable astragal housings may be used.  
         [0294]      FIG. 20  shows an alternate embodiment of an astragal housing  300 , which has a saw-tooth recess  302  to retain finned tail  304  of a typical wrapped foam type weather strip  306  for sealing. The astragal housing  300  also has cavity  308 .  
         [0295]      FIG. 21  shows an alternate embodiment of an astragal housing  310 , which is substantially the same as the astragal housing  300 , except that the astragal housing  310  has thermal break  312 , for installations in climates that experience extremely cold weather, in which the astragal housing  310  is fabricated from an aluminum extrusion, or other suitable material having substantially the same properties, which would otherwise readily lose heat to the outside and result in condensation, and in some cases even the formation of ice. The thermal break  312  is created by filling cavity  308  of the astragal housing  300  with a polyurethane thermal break compound, after which it is de-bridged by milling slot  314 , thus, separating outer and inner portions of the astragal housing  310  and preventing infiltration of the cold.  
         [0296]      FIG. 22  shows an alternate embodiment of an astragal  320 , which may be used for installation on a pair of outwsinging rather than inswinging doors, which has astragal housing  322 , cover  324  that provides overlap, and outer seal  326 , and is used on the active leaf of the pair of out swinging doors. Inner seal  328  is of greater reach as the beveled edge of the active door is reversed, creating a greater gap at its inner edge.  
         [0297]      FIG. 23  shows an alternate embodiment of an astragal  330 , which may be used for installation on a pair of outwsinging rather than inswinging doors, which is substantially the same as the astragal housing  320 , except that the astragal  330  has thermal break  332 .  
         [0298]      FIG. 24  shows an alternate embodiment of an astragal  340 , which may be used for installation on a pair of outwsinging rather than inswinging doors, in which cover element  342  has saw-tooth recess  344  to accommodate finned tail  346  of a wrapped foam weather strip seal  348 . Inner seal  349  is of greater reach as the beveled edge of the active door is reversed, creating a greater gap at the inner edge.  
         [0299]      FIG. 25  shows an alternate embodiment of an astragal  350 , which may be used for installation on a pair of outwsinging rather than inswinging doors, which is substantially the same as the astragal housing  340 , except that the astragal  350  has thermal break  352 .  
         [0300]      FIGS. 26-29  show an alternate embodiment of a locking astragal  500 , which is substantially the same as the locking astragal with self positioning astragal seal  1 , except that the self positioning astragal seal has been removed from the locking astragal  500 . The locking astragal  500  has the lock  2 , as in the locking astragal with self positioning astragal seal  1 .  
         [0301]     Although the present invention has been described in considerable detail with reference to certain preferred versions thereof, other versions are possible. Therefore, the spirit and scope of the appended claims should not be limited to the description of the preferred versions contained herein.

Technology Classification (CPC): 4