Patent Description:
In buildings, thresholds may be provided at the foot of a frame in architectural openings in which for example doors or windows may be provided. Thresholds may be provided with a lead slab extending vertically downward from the bottom of the threshold, which is connected to the threshold using screws. Such an attachment process is very difficult to be performed on the building site itself, and therefore has to be prepared earlier on. A reason is that otherwise, the threshold, and especially the bottom of the threshold where the external profile is to be provided, is difficult to access when the threshold has already been provided in the architectural opening.

<CIT> and <CIT> describe examples of sets of mountable parts comprising a threshold with a clamping groove and a clamping profile fixed to said clamping groove.

The present invention aims to provide an improved threshold arranged to have an external profile attached to it more easily.

A first part of a set of mountable parts is a threshold, comprising an elongated threshold profile, the threshold profile comprising a clamping groove, provided parallel to the threshold profile provided at a first substantially flat side of the threshold profile which in use is a bottom side, wherein the clamping groove comprises a first receiving section and a second receiving section arranged to receive a clamping profile between the first receiving section and the second receiving section.

The threshold with the clamping groove allows a clamping profile, with an external profile provided by the clamping profile, to be connected to the threshold without the need of additional fasteners, such as screws or glue. The clamping force of the clamping profile in the clamping groove is sufficient for keeping the clamping profile in substantially the same position inside the clamping groove during placement and/or further use of the threshold.

Furthermore, the clamping profile and the threshold according to this aspect allow convenient mounting of the external profile, like a flexible slab, to be mounted to the threshold while the threshold is already in place. The lower side of the threshold requires a minimum with respect to accessibility for mounting of the slab, compared to a case where the slab is mounted using screws or nails.

The external profile is, when the threshold is in use, oriented substantially vertically and may be used as a dam to prevent water from accessing parts of the architectural opening in which the threshold has been placed, below the threshold.

In an embodiment, the first receiving section is provided substantially opposite of the second receiving section. This allows a clamping force exerted by the clamping profile to the receiving sections to be substantially aligned over the same line which extends between the first receiving section and the second receiving section.

The threshold profile may comprise a low section and a high section, wherein a thickness of the threshold profile in the high section perpendicular to the first side is larger than a thickness of the threshold profile in the low section perpendicular to the first side. In an embodiment, the clamping groove is provided substantially in the low section of the threshold profile.

The clamping groove may be provided with a first flange which protrudes into the clamping groove, wherein the first flange defines the first receiving section.

The clamping groove may be provided with a second flange which protrudes into the clamping groove, wherein the second flange defines the second receiving section.

The flange or flanges of the clamping groove constrain the clamping profile relative to the threshold in at least a direction perpendicular to the first side of the threshold.

A second part of a set of mountable parts is a clamping profile, comprising a first clamping part comprising a first clamping abutment arranged to abut a first receiving section of a threshold profile of any embodiment of the threshold. The clamping profile further comprises a second clamping part comprising a second clamping abutment arranged to abut a second receiving section of the threshold profile. In the clamping profile, the first clamping part and the second clamping part may be moved towards each other resiliently. The clamping profile is arranged to provide an external profile which, in use, protrudes downward from the first side of the threshold.

The clamping profile is arranged to be attached to the threshold without the use of fasteners such as screws or glue. When clamped into the clamping groove of the threshold, the clamping profile is constrained by virtue of the first clamping part and the second clamping part being constrained by the first receiving section and the second receiving section, respectively.

In an embodiment, the first clamping part is hingedly attached to the second clamping part such that the first clamping part and the second clamping part may be hinged relative to each other around one or more hinges. The hinges may be arranged as living hinges, and may be formed as weakened sections in the material comprised by the clamping profile.

In an embodiment of the clamping groove, the second clamping part comprises a groove, wherein the groove is arranged for receiving a flexible slab as an external profile or a cover or dam aiding at prevention of ingress of water, for example due to precipitation. Preferably, the groove is provided in a direction which is substantially parallel to the first side of the threshold.

A set of mountable parts according to claim <NUM> is provided, comprising a threshold according to any of the threshold embodiments and a clamping profile according to any of the clamping profile embodiments. In the set, the first clamping abutment comprised by the clamping profile is arranged to abut a first receiving section comprised by the threshold and a second clamping abutment comprised by the clamping profile is arranged to abut a second receiving section comprised by the threshold. When the set has been mounted, the position of the clamping profile relative to the threshold has been fixed in a direction perpendicular to a first side of the threshold.

In a preferred embodiment, the external profile is made of a material with properties such that it may be bent by hand, such as lead.

Further, an aspect of the invention provides a method for assembling a set according to any of the claims <NUM>-<NUM>, the method at least including a step of providing an initially flat external profile, and utilizing the clamping profile for deforming the flat external profile to a final shape, for example by inserting a first section of the initially flat external profile into a groove of the clamping profile, and subsequently deforming the external profile such that a remaining second section of the profile is bent with respect to the first section of the profile.

The various aspects and embodiments thereof will now be discussed in conjunction with drawings. In the drawings:.

<FIG> shows part <NUM> of a construction of a frame in an architectural opening in a building for a door or window comprising a frame part such as a jamb <NUM>. The jamb <NUM> is supported by a threshold <NUM>. The threshold <NUM> is connected to a clamping profile <NUM> arranged for providing an external profile <NUM>.

The clamping profile <NUM> is arranged to be mounted conveniently to the threshold <NUM>, preferably in a non-destructive and/or removable manner. With non-destructive, a manner is meant which doesn't require substantial plastic deformation or breaking of one or both of the threshold <NUM> and the clamping profile <NUM> with for example a drill by making a hole.

Alternatively or additionally, the clamping profile <NUM> provides an external profile <NUM> which may be removably mounted to the threshold <NUM>, preferably without use of a glue or resin. The external profile may also function as a protective cover or dam for protection against ingress of water due to rain or any other precipitation. As such, the external profile <NUM> may be embodied in multiple ways.

The threshold <NUM> as shown in <FIG> comprises a lower section <NUM> and a higher section <NUM>, wherein a thickness of the lower section <NUM> is smaller than a thickness of the higher section <NUM>. With thickness, here the distance from a first side <NUM> to a second side <NUM> is meant. The second side <NUM> is provided opposite to the first side <NUM>, and the first side <NUM> is, when the threshold <NUM> is in use, a bottom side. The second side <NUM> is, when the threshold <NUM> is in use, substantially oriented upwards, thus in a direction substantially opposite to the force of gravity.

<FIG> shows a section view of the part <NUM> of the construction of the architectural opening with an embodiment of the threshold <NUM> built into the architectural opening. In this section view, the threshold <NUM> supports the jamb <NUM>, and the threshold <NUM> is provided on an underground <NUM>, which may be soil, isolation, toe board, or any underground <NUM> which may support the threshold <NUM>. Provided in a clamping groove <NUM> of the threshold <NUM> is an embodiment of the clamping profile <NUM> which provides an external profile <NUM> not according to the appended claims.

<FIG> shows a detailed (side) view of the lower section <NUM> of the threshold <NUM> with the clamping profile <NUM> clamped in the clamping groove <NUM> comprised by the elongated threshold profile <NUM> comprised by the threshold <NUM>. The clamping groove <NUM> is provided in the first side <NUM> of the threshold profile <NUM>, preferably substantially in the lower section <NUM>. The clamping groove <NUM> comprises a first receiving section <NUM> and a second receiving section <NUM>, which are arranged to receive the clamping profile <NUM> between the first receiving section <NUM> and the second receiving section <NUM>.

The clamping profile <NUM> as shown in <FIG> defines an abutment profile <NUM> which is arranged to protrude substantially perpendicular away from the first side <NUM> of the threshold <NUM>.

In the embodiment of the threshold <NUM> as shown in <FIG>, the first receiving section <NUM> is provided substantially opposite of the second receiving section <NUM>.

The first receiving section <NUM> may be defined by a first flange <NUM> which protrudes into the clamping groove <NUM>. The first receiving section <NUM> may be defined entirely by the first flange <NUM> or by a combination of the first flange <NUM> and part of the clamping groove <NUM>.

The second receiving section <NUM> may be defined by a second flange <NUM> which protrudes into the clamping groove <NUM>. The second receiving section <NUM> may be defined entirely by the second flange <NUM> or by a combination of the second flange <NUM> and part of the clamping groove <NUM>.

When one or both of the first receiving section <NUM> and the second receiving section <NUM> are defined combined with part of the clamping groove <NUM>, a top plane of the clamping groove <NUM> may not be substantially parallel to the first side <NUM> of the threshold profile <NUM>, but has one or more indentations in the top plane. Such indentations may provide part of the first receiving section <NUM> and/or the second receiving section <NUM>.

The first receiving section <NUM> and the second receiving section <NUM> are in the embodiment as shown by <FIG> defined by the clamping groove <NUM> and the first flange <NUM> and the second flange <NUM>, respectively. With the first protruding section <NUM> and the second protruding section <NUM> protruding inwards in the clamping groove <NUM>, the shape of the clamping groove <NUM> may resemble that of a dovetail groove. The clamping groove <NUM> may further be at least partially tapered away from the first side <NUM>.

The first receiving section <NUM> and second receiving section <NUM> as shown in <FIG> are arranged to constrain the clamping profile <NUM> in a direction substantially parallel to the gravity when the threshold <NUM> is use. The constraint may prevent the clamping profile <NUM> from falling out of the clamping groove <NUM> due to gravity.

The clamping profile <NUM> as shown in <FIG> comprises a first leg <NUM> as a first clamping part and a second leg <NUM> as a second clamping part. The first leg <NUM> comprises a first clamping abutment <NUM> arranged to be received by the first receiving section <NUM> of the threshold <NUM>, and the second leg <NUM> comprises a second clamping abutment <NUM> arranged to be received by the second receiving section <NUM> of the threshold <NUM>.

The first leg <NUM> is hingeable relative to the clamping profile <NUM> over a first hinge line <NUM>. When hinging, the first leg <NUM> is hinged towards the clamping profile <NUM> which reduces the distance between the first clamping abutment <NUM> and the second clamping abutment <NUM>, allowing the clamping profile <NUM> to be inserted into the clamping groove <NUM> more easily. Preferably, the hinge is arranged as a weakened section.

The first leg <NUM> and the second leg <NUM> are provided such that they may be moved towards each other in a resilient way. A force provided to the first leg <NUM> towards the second leg <NUM> and/or a force provided to the second leg <NUM> towards the first leg <NUM> decreases a distance between the first clamping abutment <NUM> and the second clamping abutment <NUM>. By virtue of this decreased distance, the clamping profile <NUM> may be provided more easily into the clamping groove <NUM>. In some embodiments, the clamping abutments are shaped such that the legs move towards one another upon pushing the clamping profile <NUM> in the clamping groove <NUM>.

<FIG> shows the clamping profile <NUM> partially inserted into the clamping groove <NUM> of the threshold <NUM>. In this example of how the clamping profile <NUM> may be inserted into the clamping groove <NUM>, first the second clamping abutment <NUM> is inserted into the second receiving section <NUM>.

Next, the clamping profile <NUM> may be inserted further into the clamping groove <NUM> such that the first clamping abutment <NUM> may abut the first receiving section <NUM>. The first clamping abutment <NUM> may comprise a bevelled section which allows a user to push the clamping profile <NUM> when positioned like in <FIG> into the first receiving section <NUM>. Once the first clamping abutment <NUM> is provided in the first receiving section <NUM>, it may snap back towards its unstressed position.

In embodiments of the clamping profile <NUM>, the distance between the first clamping abutment <NUM> and the second clamping abutment <NUM> when no force is applied on the clamping profile <NUM> may be larger than the distance between the first clamping abutment <NUM> and the second clamping abutment <NUM> when the clamping profile <NUM> is clamped into the clamping groove <NUM>. Due to the difference in these distances, residual stresses may be present in the clamping profile <NUM> when it is clamped in the clamping groove <NUM> by virtue of the resilience of the material. Such forces may aid in retention of the clamping profile <NUM>. An outwardly oriented force due to these residual stresses in the clamping profile <NUM> may be applied by the clamping profile <NUM> to the clamping groove <NUM>.

The resilience in the clamping profile <NUM> may be provided by one or more springs, such as a coil spring, or by a resilient material comprised by the clamping profile <NUM>. In the latter case, at least part of the first leg <NUM> and/or second leg <NUM> acts as a leaf spring.

In another embodiment of the clamping profile <NUM>, the position of the first clamping abutment <NUM> relative to the second clamping abutment <NUM> may be adjustable by a user. When wanting to insert the clamping profile <NUM> into the clamping groove <NUM>, the first clamping abutment <NUM> and the second clamping abutment <NUM> may be moved towards each other by the user such that the clamping profile <NUM> can be inserted into the clamping groove <NUM>.

After being inserted into the clamping groove <NUM>, the first clamping abutment <NUM> and the second clamping abutment <NUM> may be moved away from each other by virtue of resilience of the clamping profile <NUM> or by the user such that the first clamping abutment <NUM> may abut the first receiving section <NUM> and the second clamping abutment <NUM> may abut the second receiving section <NUM>. The resilience of the clamping profile <NUM> occurs due to elastic deformation of the clamping profile <NUM> by the user, and when the user releases the clamping profile <NUM>, the clamping profile <NUM> substantially returns to its non/deformed shape which it held before the elastic deformation.

Now referring to <FIG> to elaborate further on the embodiment of the clamping profile <NUM> as shown in <FIG>, <FIG> shows the clamping profile <NUM> and a flexible slab <NUM> as the external profile <NUM>, wherein the flexible slab <NUM> has not yet been provided in the clamping profile <NUM>. The embodiment of the clamping profile <NUM> comprises a first protrusion <NUM> and a second protrusion <NUM>. The second protrusion <NUM> in this embodiment comprises the second abutment <NUM>. The first protrusion <NUM> is provided substantially parallel at a distance from the second protrusion <NUM>, which defines a groove <NUM> between the first protrusion <NUM> and the second protrusion <NUM>. The groove <NUM> may in particular be a horizontal groove after mounting/installation, as may be seen for example in <FIG>.

The groove <NUM> is arranged for receiving part of the flexible slab <NUM>. The slab <NUM> as shown in <FIG> is bent such that part of the slab <NUM> which is not provided in the groove <NUM> may be directed downwards, which corresponds to a direction substantially parallel to the gravity when the threshold <NUM> is in use.

The slab <NUM> may comprise a material with properties such that it may be bent by hand, such as lead. In embodiments, the slab <NUM> may comprise a substantially incompressible material, and/or a material that allows plastic deformation such that the slab <NUM> may be bent, folded, and/or molded into a particular shape corresponding to the particular situation in which the threshold <NUM> is mounted.

Additionally or alternatively, other materials may be used for the slab <NUM>. Such materials may be organic polymers, including, but not limited to polyvinylchloride or other vinyl polymers, other metals, metal-polymer composites, other, or a combination thereof.

In an embodiment of the clamping profile <NUM>, the first protrusion <NUM> is hingedly attached to the clamping profile <NUM>, (in examples via a hinge or hinge line indicated by reference number <NUM> in <FIG>), such that the first protrusion <NUM> may be hinged away from the second protrusion <NUM>. Such a hinging movement opens the groove <NUM>, which in turn allows a more easy insertion of the slab <NUM> into said groove <NUM>. After the slab <NUM> has been sufficiently inserted into the groove <NUM>, the first protrusion <NUM> may be hinged back, preferably to a position substantially parallel to the second protrusion <NUM>.

The hinging movement of the first protrusion <NUM> may be performed over hinge line <NUM>. A weakened section <NUM> may be provided to provide the hinge, i.e. to reduce a force required for hinging the first protrusion <NUM> with respect to a main section of the profile <NUM> and/or to substantially prevent plastic deformation of the first protrusion <NUM> around the hinge line <NUM>.

As shown in <FIG> (see also <FIG>), the slab <NUM> as an external profile may be an L-shaped profile. For example, the slab <NUM> can be provided with or consist of a first leg <NUM> and a second leg <NUM>, optionally extending in parallel with the first leg <NUM>. In this example, the second leg <NUM> is provided at an angle of approximately <NUM> degrees relative to the first leg <NUM> in the embodiment as shown in <FIG>. In different embodiments, the second leg <NUM> may be provided at a different angle relative to the first leg <NUM>, for example an angle between <NUM> degrees and <NUM> degrees, between <NUM> degrees and <NUM> degrees, between <NUM> degrees and <NUM> degrees, or between <NUM> degrees and <NUM> degrees. The first leg <NUM> is arranged to be inserted into the groove <NUM>.

<FIG> depicts the slab <NUM> wherein it already has the above-mentioned L-shape before being mounted to the clamping profile. Alternatively, an initially flat/plane slab can be used.

In particular, in a preferred embodiment, for providing the angle between the first leg <NUM> and the second leg <NUM> (i.e. for forming a final profile shape of the mounted slab), first a substantially planar slab <NUM> may be applied. The planar slab <NUM> can be inserted with a first section (that will form the first leg <NUM>) into the groove <NUM>. After inserting the first section of the planar slab <NUM> into the groove <NUM>, the slab <NUM> may be deformed, wherein a remaining second slab section that does not extend into the groove <NUM> is bent around a distal end or distal edge of the first protrusion <NUM>, thereby creating the second leg <NUM> provided at an angle relative to the first leg <NUM>. Herein, for example, the clamping profile <NUM> can be used as a tool for forming, or assisting in the forming of, the profile's final shape, which allows efficient and smooth shaping of the profile.

The first leg <NUM> and the second leg <NUM> of the slab <NUM> may be of substantially the same length (viewed in side view). Alternatively, the second leg <NUM> may be longer than the first leg <NUM> (as in <FIG>), or the first leg <NUM> may be longer than the second leg <NUM>. When the second leg <NUM> is provided at an angle of approximately <NUM> degrees relative to the first leg <NUM>, the slab <NUM> as an external profile may have a substantially L-shaped cross-section.

The slab <NUM> may be embodied as an elongated profile extending in substantially the same direction as (i.e. in parallel with) the elongated threshold profile <NUM> and the clamping profile <NUM> (in particular in a direction that is normal to the plane of <FIG>, <FIG>).

Optionally, the first protrusion <NUM> comprises an optionally sharp protrusion <NUM> arranged to penetrate the slab <NUM> after the slab <NUM> has been inserted and the first protrusion <NUM> is hinged back into position substantially parallel to the second protrusion <NUM>. With this penetration, it may substantially be prevented that the slab <NUM> may be moved out of the groove <NUM> parallel to the second protrusion <NUM>. Alternatively or additionally, glue or another adhesive may be provided to further secure the flexible slab <NUM> in the groove <NUM>.

Further indicated in <FIG> is a direction of movement <NUM>, over which the first clamping abutment <NUM> may be moved towards the second clamping abutment <NUM>. As an option, in the embodiment of <FIG>, the first clamping abutment <NUM> is hingedly attached to the clamping profile <NUM> and the second clamping abutment <NUM> is rigidly attached to the clamping profile <NUM>. Rigidly attached here means that the second clamping abutment <NUM> is attached to the clamping profile <NUM> such that it is substantially not movable relative to the clamping profile <NUM>. As such, only the first clamping abutment <NUM> is movable. In alternative embodiments, the first clamping abutment <NUM> may be movable by virtue of a sliding connection, wherein the first clamping abutment <NUM> may be slid over the movement direction <NUM>.

As shown in <FIG>, the external profile <NUM> may be shaped such that, when it is partially inserted into the groove <NUM>, the second leg <NUM> extends beyond the clamping profile (e.g. a substantial part of the second leg <NUM> being located in an area that is situated at a level below a lower side of the clamping profile). With reference to <FIG>, this extension may imply that the external profile <NUM>, for example the second leg <NUM> thereof, extends out of the clamping groove <NUM> of the threshold <NUM>, or even extends beyond the threshold <NUM>.

<FIG> shows a detailed view of a lower section <NUM> of a threshold <NUM> with another embodiment of the clamping profile <NUM> clamped into the clamping groove <NUM> of the threshold <NUM>. The clamping profile <NUM> in this embodiment comprises the first leg <NUM> which in turn comprises the first abutment <NUM>. The first leg <NUM> is hingedly attached to the clamping profile <NUM>, such that it preferably resiliently may be hinged towards the clamping profile <NUM> to decrease the distance between the first clamping abutment <NUM> and the second clamping abutment <NUM>. This embodiment does not show the clamping profile comprising a groove, arranged for receiving an external profile which, in use, protrudes downward from the first side of the threshold, as claimed in claim <NUM>.

It is to be noted that in any of the embodiments in this description hinging is not restricted to swivelling; bending of a preferably resilient material is considered hinging as well. For hinging, movement of two parts of a body towards each other may be considered as well. Hinges may be living hinges, wherein a living hinge may be defined as a flexible hinge made from the same material as the bodies it connects.

The clamping profile <NUM> as shown in <FIG> comprises a second leg <NUM>, which preferably is also hingedly attached to the clamping profile, such that it may be hinged towards the clamping profile <NUM>. Having both the first leg <NUM> and the second leg <NUM> hingedly attached allows both legs to be hinged less and still being able to decrease the distance between the first clamping abutment <NUM> and the second clamping abutment <NUM> sufficiently for the clamping profile <NUM> to be inserted into the clamping groove <NUM>.

In the embodiment of the clamping profile <NUM> as shown in <FIG>, the external profile <NUM> is provided by the clamping profile <NUM> itself, thus decreasing the amount of components that have to be assembled.

In summary, thresholds are provided at the bottom of architectural openings, and are often provided with an external profile to prevent water from entering underneath the threshold. For convenient mounting of the external profile, a threshold profile is provided comprising a clamping groove in which the external profile provided by a clamping profile may be clamped.

The clamping profile may be mounted non-destructively, and may be constrained to the threshold by virtue of clamping force only. To receive the clamping profile, the clamping groove may be provided with multiple receiving sections of which a shape corresponds to that of part of the clamping profile. The clamping profile may be resilient such that it may be compressed by hand, provided in the clamping groove, and released again clamping the clamping profile into the clamping groove.

Expressions such as "comprise", "include", "incorporate", "contain", "is" and "have" are to be construed in a non-exclusive manner when interpreting the description and its associated claims, namely construed to allow for other items or components which are not explicitly defined also to be present. Reference to the singular is also to be construed in be a reference to the plural and vice versa.

In the description above, it will be understood that when an element such as layer, region or substrate is referred to as being "on" or "onto" another element, the element is either directly on the other element, or intervening elements may also be present.

Claim 1:
Set of mountable parts, comprising:
- a threshold (<NUM>) comprising an elongated threshold profile (<NUM>), the threshold profile comprising a clamping groove, provided parallel to the threshold profile provided at a first substantially flat side (<NUM>) of the threshold profile which in use is a bottom side, wherein the clamping groove comprises a first receiving section (<NUM>) and a second receiving section (<NUM>) arranged to receive a clamping profile (<NUM>) between the first receiving section and the second receiving section; and
- a clamping profile comprising a first clamping part (<NUM>) comprising a first clamping abutment (<NUM>) arranged to abut the first receiving section of the threshold profile (<NUM>) of the threshold, a second clamping part (<NUM>) comprising a second clamping abutment (<NUM>) arranged to abut the second receiving section of the threshold profile of the threshold;
wherein a first clamping abutment comprised by the clamping profile is arranged to abut the first receiving section comprised by the threshold and a second clamping abutment comprised by the clamping profile is arranged to abut the second receiving section comprised by the threshold such that the position of the clamping profile in the threshold is fixed in a direction substantially perpendicular to the first side of the threshold,
and wherein when the clamping profile is clamped in the clamping groove, the clamping groove is provided in the first side of the threshold profile,
characterized in that the clamping profile comprises a groove (<NUM>), arranged for receiving an external profile which, in use, protrudes downward from the first side of the threshold, wherein the groove is provided in a direction which is substantially parallel to the first side of the threshold, the set further comprising the external profile (<NUM>, <NUM>), wherein the external profile is arranged to be at least partially inserted into the groove of the clamping profile.