Abstract:
A framing system for use with the panel and/or the frame of a door/window system includes inner and outer portions, inner and outer extensions, and an insert. The inner portion is connected to an inside face of the panel and/or the frame. The outer portion is connected to an outside face of the panel and/or frame. The inner extension extends from the inner portion towards the outer portion, and the outer extension extends from the outer portion towards the inner portion. The insert is formed from an insulating material and is positioned between and connects the inner portion to the outer portion.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0002]    The disclosure relates generally to sealing systems for use with panels, such as a door or a window, within a frame and, more specifically, to a combination acoustic/thermal break and framing system for a panel and frame of a door/window system. 
         [0003]    2. Description of the Related Art 
         [0004]    Certain types of panels, such as doors and windows, are positioned within openings of a wall and/or other structures using a frame. These panels may also open and close by pivoting relative to the frame. Alternatively, the one or more panel may slide relative to the frame. An issue associated with these types of panels is the integrity of the seals between the panels and the frame. In many instances, these seals are an insufficient barrier in preventing the transfer of such environmental elements as noise, weather, water, and insects from one side of the panel to the other side of the panel. 
         [0005]    Attempts have been made to address these issues by using various types of weather stripping between the panels and frame. For example, the weather stripping may be strip of felt, foam, or a pile of flexible synthetic material. In many instances, however, this weather stripping fails to act as a sufficient seal between the panels and frame. Another issue prevalent associated with the seals between a frame and panel or between adjacent panels is that these seals can become disjoined. Either intentionally or unintentionally, the alignment between the frame and panel or between adjacent panels may be disturbed which can degrade the quality of the seal, since, in many instances, the integrity of the seal relies upon these members having certain positional relationships relative to one another. 
         [0006]    Another issue associated with the movement of one or more panels relative to the frame is structural integrity and/or security of the panels relative to the frame. While in certain circumstances, allowing the panel to move relative to the frame is desirable, in other circumstances, not allowing the panel to move relative to the frame is desirable for the purpose of preventing undesired access through the panel. Means for providing these separate functionalities, however, can be incompatible with one another, and the means employed to provide both functions often involve tradeoffs that reduce the effectiveness of both functions. There is, therefore, also a need for a framing system to provide structural support for sealing system used to allow both a panel to move relative to the frame and also to selectively prevent movement of the panel relative to the frame. 
       BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0007]    Embodiments of the invention address deficiencies of the art with respect to effectively creating a frame and thermal/acoustic break within a panel and/or a frame. In this regard, a framing system for use with the panel and/or the frame of a door/window system includes inner and outer portions, inner and outer extensions, and an insert. The inner portion is connected to an inside face of the panel and/or the frame. The outer portion is connected to an outside face of the panel and/or frame. The inner extension extends from the inner portion towards the outer portion, and the outer extension extends from the outer portion towards the inner portion. The insert is formed from an insulating material and is positioned between and connects the inner portion to the outer portion. 
         [0008]    In certain aspects of the framing system, Both the inner extension and the outer extension are combs having inter-engaging teeth. The inner portions of the teeth define a channel into which the insert is positioned. At least one of the inner and outer extensions is attachable, respectively, to the inner and outer portions, and least one of the inner and outer extensions is fixed, respectively, to the inner and outer portions. 
         [0009]    The insert prevents movement of the inner extension relative to the outer extension in at least one direction. Alternatively, the insert prevents movement of the inner extension relative to the outer extension in one or two different sets of two directions being opposite from one another. In certain aspects, the inner extension and the outer extension do not directly contact each other, yet in other aspects, inner extension and the outer extension directly contact each other. 
         [0010]    Additional aspects of the invention will be set forth in part in the description which follows, and in part will be obvious from the description, or may be learned by practice of the invention. The aspects of the invention will be realized and attained by means of the elements and combinations particularly pointed out in the appended claims. It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description and the following detailed description are exemplary and explanatory only and are not restrictive of the invention, as claimed. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0011]    The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute part of this specification, illustrate embodiments of the invention and together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the invention. The embodiments illustrated herein are presently preferred, it being understood, however, that the invention is not limited to the precise arrangements and instrumentalities shown, wherein: 
           [0012]      FIGS. 1A and 1B  are perspective views, respectively, of a door/window system in a closed and open position in accordance with the inventive arrangements; 
           [0013]      FIG. 2  is a perspective view of the frame and sash of the door/window system; 
           [0014]      FIGS. 3A-3C  are cross-sectional views of the sealing system positioned in the frame and sash of the door/window system, respectively, in the open, partially engaged, and locked configurations; 
           [0015]      FIGS. 4A-4D  are cross-sectional views of the sealing system positioned in the frame and sash of the door/window system at the hinges, respectively, in the open, closed but unlocked, partially engaged, and locked configurations; 
           [0016]      FIGS. 5A-5C  are cross-sectional views of a drive system and the sealing system positioned in the frame and sash of the door/window system, respectively, in the closed but unlocked, partially engaged, and locked configurations; 
           [0017]      FIG. 6  is a perspective view of a corner of the frame of the sealing system; 
           [0018]      FIG. 7  is an exploded perspective view of a framing system in accordance with the inventive arrangements; and 
           [0019]      FIGS. 8A-8C  are cross-sectional views of the framing system, respectively, disassembled, partially assembled, and completely assembled. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0020]      FIGS. 1A ,  1 B and  2  illustrate an exemplar door/window system  100  for use with the improved sealing system  200 . The sealing system  200  can be used with many types of doors and/or windows, and the sealing system  200  is not limited to the particular door/window system  100  illustrated. For example, the sealing system  200  may be used with pocket doors, sliding doors, French doors, entry doors, garage doors, sliding windows, single-hung windows, double-hung windows, casement windows, and awning windows. The door/window system  100  includes at least one panel  110  connected to and movable relative to a stationary frame  120 . 
         [0021]    The door/window system  100  is not limited in the manner in which the panel  110  moves relative to the frame  120 . For example, the panel  110  may linearly slide relative to the frame  120 . In certain aspects of the door/window system  100 , however, the panel  110  pivots relative to the frame  120  about a hinge  190 . Many types of hinges  190  are capable of allowing the panel  110  to pivot relative to the frame  120 , and any hinge  190  so capable is acceptable for use with the present door/window system  100 . 
         [0022]    The frame  120  may include a header  130 , jambs  140 , and a sill  150 . A header  130  is a structural member that spans an upper portion of the window/door opening. Jambs  140  are the outermost vertical side members of the frame  120 . A sill  150  is a threshold or structural member that spans a lower most portion of the window/door opening. As recognized by those skilled in the art, different terms may also be associated with the above-structure identified as the header  130 , jambs  140 , and sill  150 . 
         [0023]    Each panel  110  may include a sash  160  that surrounds a pane  170 . The pane  170  is not limited as to a particular material. For example, the pane  170  may be translucent, such as glass or plastic, opaque, such as with wood or metal, or any combination thereof. The sash may include a header rail  175 , jamb or stile rails  180 , and a sill rail  185 . As recognized by those skilled in the art, different terms may also be associated with the structure identified as the header rail  175 , the jamb or stile rail  180 , and sill rail  185 . 
         [0024]    The sealing system  200  (see  FIGS. 3A-3C ,  4 A- 4 D,  5 A- 5 C) may be used with each of the members  175 ,  180 ,  185  of the sash  160  to form a seal between each pair of adjacent surfaces of the sash  160  of the panel  110  and the frame  120 . In this manner, each of the separate sides of the panel  110  may employ the sealing system  200 . As will be described in more detail below, not only does the sealing system  200  provide at least one seal between adjacent members of sash  160  and frame  120 , each of the sealing systems  200  may be configured to prevent the movement of the panel  110  relative to the frame  120 . In so doing, the sealing systems  200  can act as a lock and/or security device that prevents the forced opening of the panel  110  relative to the frame  120 . Many types of sealing systems  200  so capable are known in the art, and the present door/window system  100  is not limited as to a particular type of sealing system  200 . 
         [0025]    Additionally, although the present door/window system  100  is described herein with particular types of sealing systems  200  being positioned in particular locations, the door/window system  100  is not limited as to a particular type of sealing system  200  or a particular location of the sealing system  200 . For example, a sealing system  200  may be positioned within the frame  120  and/or the sash  160 . 
         [0026]    To prevent the forced opening of the panel  110 , the sealing systems  200  are not limited as to a percentage of coverage between particular members of the frame  120  and/or panel  110 . For example, the sealing systems  200  may only cover a fractional number (e.g., 10%, 50%, 85%) of the length between particular members of the frame  120  and/or panel  110 . However, in certain aspects, the sealing systems  200  provide substantially complete coverage between the sash  160  of a panel  110  and the frame  120 . In so doing, the combined sealing systems  200  can provide a seal substantially, completely around the panel  110 . 
         [0027]    Referring to  FIGS. 3A-3C  and  4 A- 4 D, a sealing system  200  for use in the door/window system  100  is illustrated. As the panel  110  moves from an open position (e.g.,  FIGS. 3A ,  4 A) to a closed position (e.g.,  FIGS. 3B-3C  and  4 B- 4 D), a frame mating profile  125  of the frame  120  engages a sash mating profile  165  of the sash  160 . Although not limited in this manner, in certain aspects of the sealing system  200 , the mating profiles  125 ,  165  are selected to prevent movement (shown by arrows in  FIGS. 3A ,  4 A) of the panel  110  past a particular position. 
         [0028]    Although many different profiles are capable of preventing movement of the panel  110  past a particular position, in certain aspects of the sealing system  200 , the mating profiles  125 ,  165  respectively include surfaces  260 ,  270  and  265 ,  275  that are at an angle that is not tangent to an arc created by the rotation of the panel  110 . As illustrated in  FIG. 4B , only a single matched pair of angled surfaces  260 ,  265  may be employed. Alternatively, as illustrated in  FIG. 3B , two or more matched pairs of angled surfaces  260 / 265 ,  270 / 275  may be employed. 
         [0029]    Although the sealing system  200  is not limited in this manner, the one or more matched pairs of angled surfaces  260 / 265 ,  270 / 275  may include seals on one or both surfaces. However, in certain aspects of the sealing system  200 , the seals (hereinafter referred to as  260 ,  270 ) are located on the frame mating profile  125  of the frame  120 . 
         [0030]    The seals  260 ,  270  act to retard the movement of air, water, etc. and/or noise across the seals  260 ,  270  and any seal so capable is acceptable for use in the sealing system  200 . However, in certain aspects of the sealing system  200 , the seals  260 ,  270  are formed from a compressible material, such as foam and include T-shaped bases, which fit into T-shaped channels in the frame mating profile  125 . As the panel  110  moves from the open position to the closed position, the angled surfaces  265 ,  275  of the sash  160  engage and compress the seals  260 ,  270 . 
         [0031]    Upon the panel  110  being disposed in the closed position (e.g.,  FIGS. 3B-3B ,  4 B- 4 D), the sealing system  200  also includes an active seal  205  having a locked configuration and an unlocked configuration while the panel  110  is disposed in the closed position. The active seal  205  operates by having a movable member disposed in one of the frame  120  and sash  160  engage a stationary or movable portion of the other of the sash  160  and frame  120 . Thus, a movable member may be positioned on the frame  120  and/or the sash  160 . However, in certain aspects of the sealing system  200 , as illustrated, the movable member  210  is positioned in the frame  120  and engages a stationary face  255  on the sash  160 . 
         [0032]    The active seal  205  can perform one or more of at least two functions, which may be performed separately or together. One of these functions is to create a seal between the movable member  210  and the opposing face  255 . The other of the two functions is enhance and/or engage passive seals located between other portions of the frame  120  and sash  160 . Unlike the active seal  205 , which has both a completely unlocked/disengaged configuration and a locked/engaged configuration while the panel  110  is in a single position relative to the frame  120  (e.g.,  FIG. 3B  versus  FIG. 3C ,  FIG. 4B  versus  FIG. 4D ), the passive seals (e.g., seals  260 ,  270 ) may engaged, or at least partially engaged, upon the panel  110  being positioned in the frame  120 . For example, in  FIGS. 3B-3C  and  4 B- 4 D, seals  260 ,  270  are at least partially engaged upon the panel  110  being positioned within the frame  120 . 
         [0033]    Referring to the first function, the movable member and/or opposing face  255  may include seals on one or both surfaces. However, in certain aspects of the active seal  205 , the seal (hereinafter referred to as gate seal  250 ) is located on the movable member (hereinafter referred to as seal gate  210 ). Similar to the previously described seals  260 ,  270 , the gate seal  250  can be any type of seal capable of acting to retard the movement of air, water, etc. and/or noise across the gate seal  250 . 
         [0034]    Referring to the second function, the gate seal  250  presses against the opposing face  255 , and in so doing, causes one or more other seals (for example, seals  260 ,  270 ) to engage or further engage. For example, as the gate seal  250  presses against the opposing face  255 , the generated force includes a component in a direction parallel that causes the sash  160  and panel  110  to moved into the closed position relative to the frame  120 , thereby compressing the seals  260 ,  270 . Alternatively, this generated force may drive a portion of either the sash  160  or frame  120  into the seals  260 ,  270 , thereby engaging or further engaging the seals  260 ,  270 . 
         [0035]    The active seal  205  is not limited in the manner by which the gate seal  250  engages the opposing face  255 . For example, the seal gate  210  may operate as a linearly-traveling piston. However, in certain aspects of the active seal  205 , the seal gate  210  pivots about a seal pivot  220 . The manner in which the seal gate  260  itself is driven in not limited. For example, the seal gate  210  may be directly driven, for example, at the seal pivot  220 . Alternatively, in certain aspects of the active seal, the seal gate  210  is driven using a drive gate  230  that causes the seal gate  210  to rotate about the seal pivot  220 . 
         [0036]    Although not limited in this manner, the drive gate  230  pivots about a drive pivot  240  and is itself driven by a drive system  300  (see discussion with regard to  FIGS. 5A-5C ). By using leverage generated by these inter-engaging levers  210 ,  230 , the active seal  205  is capable of exerting significant force against the frame  120  or sash  160 . In so doing, both of the aforementioned functions of creating a seal between the movable member  210  and the opposing face  255  and enhancing and/or engaging seals  260 ,  270  located between other portions of the frame  120  and sash  160  may be improved. 
         [0037]    In certain aspects of the sealing system  200 , the active seal  205  is positioned either between two other seals  260 ,  270  and/or positioned behind one seal  270  relative to an outside portion of the door/window system  100 . Since the active seal  205  includes at least one movable member  250 , the active seal  205  may be more susceptible to environmental effects, such as water and/or excessive heat/cold. By positioning the active seal  205  between two other seals  260 ,  270  and/or positioning the active seal  205  behind one seal  270  relative to an outside portion of the door/window system  100 , the one or more seals  260 ,  270  can reduce the impact of these adverse environmental effects on the active seal  205 . 
         [0038]    Referring to  FIGS. 5A-5C , a drive system  300  for use in the door/window system  100  is illustrated. The drive system  300  moves the sealing system  200  from the unlocked configuration (e.g.,  FIGS. 3A-3B ,  4 A- 4 C,  5 A- 5 B) to a locked configuration (e.g.,  FIGS. 3C ,  4 D,  5 C). The drive system  300  may also move the sealing system  200  from the locked configuration to the unlocked configuration. In certain aspects, the drive system  300  is configured to simultaneously move each of the separate sealing systems  200  (see the discussion with regard to  FIG. 6 ). In other aspects of the door/window system  100 , however, multiple drive systems  300  may be provided to separately close one or multiple sealing systems  200 . 
         [0039]    How the drive system  300  moves the sealing system  200  from the unlocked configuration to the locked configuration (and back again) is not limited as to a particular manner and/or device. As can be readily envisioned, the configuration and operation of the drive system  300  may be determined by the configuration and operation of the sealing systems  200 . Although the illustrated drive system  300  is shown as being driven with a manual device, other devices capable of driving a sealing system  200  are commonly known, such as a magnetic, mechanical, and electromechanical devices. 
         [0040]    As previously described, the present sealing system  200  operates using a drive gate  230 , which urges a seal gate  210  against an opposing face  255  to form a seal between the frame  120  and sash  160 . Any drive system  300  capable of driving the drive gate  230  in this manner is acceptable for use with the present door/window system  100 . In a present aspect of the door/window system  100 , the drive system  300  employs a knob  310 , which rotates a threaded shaft  330  about a bearing  320 . A thread gear  340  is positioned about the threaded shaft  330 , and rotation of the threaded shaft  330  moves the thread gear  340  up or down relative to the threaded shaft  330 . The thread gear  340  is attached to the drive gate  230  about a gear pivot  350 . 
         [0041]    Referring to  FIGS. 5A ,  5 B, and  5 C in sequence, as the thread gear  340  moves up the threaded shaft  330 , a portion of the drive gate  230  is also drawn upward. This motion rotates the drive gate  230  counter-clockwise (as viewed in the illustrations) about the drive pivot  240 , which causes the drive gate  230  to drive the seal gate  210  against the gate seal mating face  255 . The drive gate  230  may also be connected to a drive shaft  280 , which is connected, either directly or indirectly, to other drive gates (not shown) so as to also drive the movement of these drive gates. 
         [0042]    The opposite movement of the thread gear  340  from a higher position to a lower position on the threaded shaft  340  rotates the drive gate  230  in an opposite direction about the drive pivot  240 . Many techniques or devices can be used to return the seal gate  210  to its fully unlocked position (i.e.,  FIG. 5A ), and the present door/window system  100  is not limited as to a particular technique or device so capable. However, in a current aspect, one or more resilient members (not shown) return the seal gate  210  to an unengaged position. 
         [0043]    Referring to  FIG. 6 , a transfer system  290  for use in the door/window system  100  is illustrated. The transfer system  290  transfers motion, such as rotation, from one drive element  280 A to another drive element  280 B. In so doing, the motion generated by a single drive system  300  is capable of driving two or more sealing systems  200  located on different edges of the frame  120  and sash  160  through the use of one or more transfer systems  290 . Alternatively or, in addition to a single drive system  300  driving two or more sealing systems  200 , as previously discussed, multiple drive systems  300  can each separately drive one or more sealing systems  200 . 
         [0044]    Many types of transfer systems are capable of transferring motion from one drive element  280   A  to another drive element  280   B , and the door/window system  100  is not limited as to transfer system  290  so capable. For example, as illustrated, the transfer system  290  may include a set of inter-engaging gears respectively attached to the drive elements  280   A ,  280   B  to transfer rotation from one drive element  280   A  to the other drive element  280   B . 
         [0045]    Referring to  FIG. 7  and  FIGS. 8A-8C , a framing system  400  for use in the door/window system  100  is illustrated. The framing system  400  may be positioned about the frame  120  and/or the sash  160 . As illustrated, the framing system  400  according to certain aspects of the door/window system  100  is positioned within the frame  120 . The frame system  400  may serve several functions. In certain aspects, one function is to provide a structural support for a portion of the sealing system  200  against one or both of the frame  120  and sash  160 . 
         [0046]    In additional aspects, the framing system  400  also functions to provide a thermal and/or acoustical break between an outer portion  470  of the framing system  400  and an inner portion  460  of the framing system  400 . Although not limited in this manner, the framing system  400  and certain portions of the sealing system  200  may be formed from a metal, such as aluminum. These types of materials readily conduct heat and/or transmit sound. Therefore, it is advantageous to “break” the thermal and/or acoustical connection from an outer portion  470  to an inner portion  460  to respectively reduce the transmission of heat/cold and noise across the framing system  400 . 
         [0047]    Many types of framing systems  400  are capable of reducing the transmission of heat/cold and noise across the framing system  400 , and the door/window system  100  is not limited as to a particular framing system  400  so capable. However, in certain aspects of the framing system  400 , the framing system  400  includes a pair of combs  410 ,  420 , which are respectively attached to the outer and inner portions  470 ,  460  of the framing system  400 . 
         [0048]    Each of the combs  410 ,  420  includes multiple teeth  480  having a first side  485 , a second side  490 , and a gap  495  between the first side  485  and the second side  490 . The teeth  480  of the combs  410 ,  420  loosely inter-engage with one another to form a channel  440 , which is comprised of portions of the gaps  495  of the teeth  480  of both the first comb  410  and the second comb  410 . The tightness or looseness of the fit between the inter-engaged combs  410 ,  420  is not limited as to a particular clearance. However, preventing any contact between the combs  410 ,  420  increases the effectiveness of the thermal and/or acoustical break. Conversely, close contact between the combs  410 ,  420  may increase the structural integrity of the framing system  400 . 
         [0049]    An insert  430  is position within the channel  440  formed by the inter-engaging of the combs  410 ,  420 . The insert  430  acts as the thermal and/or acoustical break between the combs  410 ,  420  and, thus, the outer and inner portions  470 ,  460  of the framing system  400 . The insert  430  may also provide structural support to prevent the combs  410 ,  420  from being pushed together and/or pulled apart. Thus, the material from which the insert  430  is formed may vary depending upon the desired combination of functionality of the framing system  400 . For example, if minimal structural support is required, then a material, such as large-celled solid foam having low thermal and/or acoustical transmissive properties may be selected for the insert  430 . Alternatively, if greater structural support is required, a more solid material, such a high-density plastic, may be selected for the insert  430 . Many materials have these combinations of desired characteristics, and the present framing system  400  is not limited to a material of the insert  430  so capable. 
         [0050]    One or both of the combs  410 ,  420  may be attachable to or integral with the outer and inner portions  470 ,  460  of the framing system  400 . In certain aspects of the framing system  400 , however, one of the combs  410  is integrally formed with one portion  470  of the framing system  400 , and the other of the combs  420  is attachable to the other portion  460  of the framing system  400  to aid in the assembly of the framing system  400 . Although not limited in this manner, the comb  420  is attachable to the framing system  400  using barbed hooks  450 . 
         [0051]    Referring to  FIGS. 8A-8C , the sealing system  200 , may include a drip guard  245  that is attached to an exterior portion of the frame  120  and/or sash  160  to prevent material, such as water, from entering the interface between the frame  120  and sash  160 . Many types of drip guards  245  capable of preventing material from entering an interface between two adjoining objects are known, and the sealing system  200  is not limited as to a particular drip guard  245  so capable.