US3374580A - Weather sealing strip for doors - Google Patents

Description

March 26, 1968 R. o. RUFF 3,374,580

WEATHER SEALING STRIP FOR DOORS Filed April 22, 1965 5 Sheets-S et 1 I/I l/I I INVE TOR.

March 26, 1968 R. o. RUFF 3,374,580

WEATHER SEALING STRIP FOR DOORS Filed April 22, 1965 5 Sheets-Sheet NVE/V TOR 43 AT TORNE Y5 United States Patent Ofitice 3,374,580 Patented Mar. 25, 1968 3,374,580 WEATHER SEALING STRIP FOR DUGRS Robert 0. Ruff, Cincinnati, Ohio, assignor to The teelcraft Manufacturing Company, Rossmoyne, Ohio, a corporation of Ohio Filed Apr. 22, 1965, Ser. No. 449,975 3 Claims. (Cl. 49482) ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE The invention essentially comprises an adjustable sealing strip mounted within a channel-shaped recess formed in the lower edge portion of a sheet metal door, the sealing strip being formed of resilient material and arranged to provide one or a plurality of line seals with reference to the surface of the threshold or sill of the door frame. In order to impart adjustability, the sealing strip, which is generally channel-shaped in cross section and of resilient or deformable material, includes mounting flanges along its free edges engaged in pairs of opposed slots formed in the opposite side portions of a rigid mounting rail secured in the downwardly facing channel-shaped recess of the sheet metal door. The channel-shaped sealing strip is deformable upwardly under pressure and includes flexible fins which extend outwardly a sufficient distance to engage the sill of the door frame. The combination of the mounting rail, the resilient sealing strip and its fins, permits the sealing strip to be selectively mounted in any one of the pairs of slots to compensate for variations in the distance between the lower edge portion of the door and the top surface of the sill, thereby to provide One or more line seals between the surface of the sill and the free end portions of the flexible fins.

This invention relates to doors, particularly exterior doors or storm doors which are exposed to the weather and which require a weather seal. The invention is more particularly directed to a Weather seal for composite doors formed of sheet metal which are interfitted within metal door frames.

A typical composite metal door, for which the present sealing strip is particularly intended, includes spaced inner and outer panels, with an internal core or filler of honeycomb construction, preferably formed of an organic material to impart stiffness to the door and also to provide a sound deadening and heat insulating effect. The inner and outer panels, which may be formed of sheet metal, such as aluminum, include marginal edge flanges exten ing transversely between the spaced inner and outer panels. The arrangement is such that the top and bottom marginal edges of the door include an outwardly facing channel-shaped recess, each having a channel-shaped reinforcing member, the cross web of each reinforcing memher being located in a plane spaced inwardly from the outer edges of the door panels.

The opposed vertical edges of the door may include the same channelshaped construction; however, in the example disclosed herein, which illustrates the principles of the invention, only the horizontal upper and lower edge portions are provided with the channel construction, while the vertical edges of the door are not so provided.

it will be understood, at this point, that the side and top marginal edges of the door seat against door stops formed in the door frame; hence, there is no need ordinarily for sealing strips except along the lower edge of the door. However, if desired, the sealing strip of the present invention may be mounted within the four sides of the door to provide a complete weather seal.

in the present disclosure therefore, the sealing strip is disclosed in relation to the lower edge portion of the door so as to provide a weather seal with reference to the threshold or sill of the door frame. The top marginal edge of the door frame may be sealed off by means of a top cap, as disclosed in the co-pending application of Donald L. King (the present applicant), entitled, Closure Caps For Composite Doors, Ser. No. 396,110, filed on Sept. 14, 1964, to which attention is invited.

As explained in detail later, in fabricating a composite metal door for which the present sealing strip is intended, a conventional door latch is mounted between the inner and outer panels, with the filler or core disposed between the panels. The outwardly facing channel members are disposed in the upper and lower marginal edge portions of the door. The assembly is completed preferably by a spot welding operation. The door is then ready to be installed in a metal door frame which is mounted in the rough door opening of the wall.

In order to provide a seal with reference to the door sill, the sealing strip of the present invention is installed within the downwardly facing channel member located in the lower edge of the door, while the closure cap of the cop-ending application may be installed in the upwardly facing channel member along the upper marginal edge of the door.

One of the primary objectives of the present invention has been to provide a sealing strip assembly which is particularly adapted to establish a weather seal along space existing between the lower edge of the door and the sill of the door frame (and if necessary, other edges of the door) and also to provide a sealing engagement to prevent water from seeping through the seal during rainy and stormy Weather.

Accordin to this aspect of the invention, the present sealing strip is formed of resilient material, such as rubber or a pliable plastic, and includes a plurality of spaced flexible fins extending longitudinally along the strip and arranged to provide one or a plurality of line seals with respect to the door sill when the door is in its closed position.

A further objective has been to provide a combined sealing strip and mounting rail adapted to be installed within the lower, downwardly facing portion of the door in a simple reliable manner, and in which the sealing strip may be adjusted in the vertical plane in the field with reference to the mounting rail (and with reference to the lower edge of the door) to accommodate for variations in the clearance space existing between the lower edge of the door and the upper surface of the door sill or threshold.

According to this aspect of the invention, the sealing strip may be adjusted vertically with reference to its mounting rail (and lower edge of the door) before the mounting rail is mounted within the lower edge of the door. The mounting rail and sealing strip thereby are adapted to accommodate the variations which usually exist in the vertical dimension of the door frame, that is, the distance between the header and sill, due to irregularities existing in the rough door opening of the building.

Described generall, the adjustable mounting means for the sealing strip comprises a mounting rail adapted to be mounted within the downwardly facing channel member along the lower margin of the door. The mounting rail is provided with two or more pairs of longitudinal slots adapted to mount the sealing strip at selected elevations with respect to the lower edge of the door so as to provide a slidable sealing engagement with the top surface of the door sill. The sealing strip (which is formed of resilient material) is generally 'U-shaped in cross section, the upper edges of the U-shaped strip being adapted to interfit a selected pair of slots formed in the mounting rail. The arrangement is such that he mounting rail and sealing strip may be assembled conveniently provide a sealing strip which is formed of resilient material and which is adapted to accommodate for local variations in the plane of the sill surface and which also provides a self-adjusting action to compensate for the stepwise adjustment provided by the horizontally spaced slots of the mounting rail.

In accordance with this aspect of the invention, the U- shaped sealing strip proper is compressible within limits. The downwardly projecting longitudinal fins, which provide the line seals mentioned above, project downwardly from the lower surface of the U-shaped sealing strip for a substantial distance. The fins are highly flexible and, in combination with the inherent flexibility of the sealing strip proper, compensate for the stepwise adjustment provided by the slots of the mounting rail.

The various features and advantages of the invention will be more readily apparent to those skilled in the art from the following description taken in conjunction with the drawings.

In the drawings:

FIGURE 1 is a geenral elevation illustrating a typical sheet metal door equipped with the present bottom seal.

FIGURE 2 is an enlarged fragmentary horizontal sectional view, taken along the line 22 of FIGURE 1, detailing the internal construction of the sheet metal door which has been selected to illustrate the utility of 'the bottom seal of this invention.

FIGURE 3 is an enlarged fragmentary vertical sectional view taken along line 3-3 of FIGURE 1, further illustrating the internal construction of the sheet metal door, including the bottom seal of the present invention. FIGURE 4 is an enlarged fragmentary perspective view, illustrating the flexible bottom door seal of the present invention prior to installation in the door.

FIGURE 5 is an enlarged fragmentary perspective view illustrating the mounting rail in which the bottom sealing strip is adapted to be adjustably mounted.

FIGURE 6 is an enlarged fragmentary view of the lower portion of the door, illustrating the mounting rail and bottom sealing strip mounted in the door in relation to the threshold or sill of the door opening. In this view, the bottom sealing strip is shown in its lower adjustment in relation to its mounting rail in order to compensate for the space existing between the lower edge of the door and the threshold.

FIGURE 7 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view similar to FIGURE 6, showing the sealing strip in a second adjusted position with respect to its mounting rail.

FIGURE 8 is a fragmentary side elevation showing the preferred manner in which the bottom sealing strip is telescopically engaged within its mounting rail before being installed in the door, the position of the sealing strip with reference to its mounting rail corresponding to the adjustment shown in FIGURE 6.

FIGURE 9 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view of the lower portion of the sheet metal door, showing the manner in which the metal mounting rail and flexible sealing strip, as an assembled unit, is attached to the lower edge portion of the door.

FIGURE 10 is a fragmentary sectional view similal to FIGURE 7, showing a modified door structure, utilizing the sealing strip of the present invention.

FIGURE 11 is an enlarged diagrammatic view detailing the action of the flexible fins with reference to the top surface of a door sill, wherein the flexible fins compensate for the stepwise adjustment provided by the mounting rail.

FIGURE 12 is an enlarged diagrammatic view similar to FIGURE 11 but showing a condition in which the sealing strip proper, in addition to the flexible fins is flattened slightly to compensate for a somewhat decreased clearance between the sill and lower edge of the door.

Door structure The door 1 (FIGURES 1-3), which has been selected to illustrate the principles of the adjustable bottom seal, is fabricated of sheet metal, comprising spaced panels 2 and 3, with a filler or core 4 interposed between the panels. The filler 4 may be of honeycomb construction formed of suitable material to stiffen the door structure and to provide a sound deadening effect. The sheet metal door is of composite design, the panel 3 having flanges.

5-5 (FIGURE 2), which delineate the vertical edges of the door. The panel 2 includes narrow flanges 6-6, each flange having an inturned lip 7 which interfits a groove 8 formed along the inner edges of the flanges 5 to form a seam. The two panels may be permanently joined in assembly by spot welding.

As shown in FIGURES 1 and 2, the door 1 is hingedly mounted in the usual way within a frame 9 which may also be constructed of sheet metal members, comprising vertical jambs 10-10 with a horizontal header 11 ex: tending across the upper ends of the jambs 10. The jambs 10 and header 11 are mounted in an opening formed in a wall 12, as indicated in FIGURE 1.

The lower end portion of the door frame 9 includes a sill or threshold, indicated generally at 13 (FIGURE 1), which coacts with the sealing strip, indicated generally at 14 in FIGURE 1, which is mounted in the lower edge of the door. The door is mounted within its frame 9 in the usual way by means of hinges 15 secured to one of r the jambs 10. The swinging end of the door includes the usual lock which is operated by the knob 16.

As shown generally in FIGURE 3, the upper edge of the door is closed off by a reinforcing channel 17. The channel includes upstanding limbs 18-18 seated a-gairist the door panels 2 and 3 and preferably welded thereto. A closure cap 20, formed of resilient material, such as plastic, is seated between the limbs 1818 of channel 17 to provide a weather seal along the top edge of the door. The top cap 20 is disclosed in the copending application of Donald L. King, Ser. No. 296,110, as noted earlier. As disclosed in the copending application, the closure cap 20 includes spaced downwardly depending limbs 21-21 which snugly interfit the inner'surfaces of limbs 1 818 of the top channel for convenience in application and 'are arranged to aid in weather sealing the upper edge portion of the door.

The lower edge portion of the door (FIGURE 3) is closed oif by a downwardly facing reinforcing channel 22 having downwardly depending limbs 2323 which interfit the door panels 2 and 3 and provide a support for the honeycomb filler 4. The limbs 23 may be spot welded to the panels 2 and 3. The bottom sealing strip 14 of the present invention is adjustably mounted within the channel 22 and depends downwardly between the limbs 23 into engagement with the top surface of the door sill 13, as explained below.

As explained later, the flexible sealing strip 14 is adjustably mounted within the rigid metallic mounting rail, indicated at 24 and described later. The flanges 55, which delineate the vertical edges of the door, extend below the downwardly facing channel 22, as indicated at 19 (FIGURES 3, 6 and 7). The channel 22 and the edge flanges 55, thus provide a recess to receive the mounting rail 24 and sealing strip 14.

It will be understood at this point, that the rigid mounting rail 24 and the flexible sealing strip 14 are installed in the lower portion of the door in the field, in order that the sealing strip may be adjusted in the vertical plane to accommodate the spacing between the top surface of the door sill and lower edge of the door. The mounting rail and sealing strip, if desired, may be trimmed to length at installation in order to fit lengthwise between the lower portions 19-19 of the edge flanges 55.

Rigid mounting mil As noted above, the flexible sealing strip 14 is mounted for adjustment vertically with reference to the lower edge of the door in order to provide a weather seal be-" tween the threshold or sill 13 and the lower edge of the door. The Sealing strip may also he utilized to accommodate diiferent door styles to a given door frame, as explained later with reference to FIGURE 10.

As best shown in FIGURE 3, the sealing strip 14 is mounted in selective positions, in the present instance, two in number, with respect to a mounting rail 24, which is secured to the lower channel 22.

The mounting rail 24 and the sealing strip 14 are designed to be mounted in the field in a rapid convenient manner to provide the desired weather seal even though the vertical dimensions of the door opening may vary slightly from standard. In assembling and installing the sealing unit, the sealing strip 14 is first inserted telescopically in a selected groove of the mounting rail 24 (FIGURE 8), then the assembled unit is secured in place in the bottom portion of the door by screws. This procedure is carried out with the door tie-mounted from its hinges 15.

Described in detail (FIGURES 3 and 5), the mounting rail 24 is in the form of a solid bar fabricated from metal, for example, an aluminum extrusion. In order to provide selective engagement with the edges of the sealing strip 14, as explained below, the opposite sides of the mounting rail are provided with opposed pairs of upper slots 25-25, and lower slots 26-26. The slots 25 and 26 are generally T-shaped in cross section and are arranged to slidably engage the opposed mounting flanges 27-27 of the sealing strip 14 (FIGURE 4).

The T-shaped slots 25 and 26 are delineated by respective pairs of outwardly projecting ribs 28, 39 and 31 (FIGURE 5). Each top rib 28 includes a downwardly depending lip 32, and each rib 3t and 31 includes a flanged head portion 33. Thus, the depending lip 32, combined with the flanged head 33 of the intermediate rib 3t delineates the upper "if-shaped slot The flanged head portions 33 of the intermediate and lower ribs 3 and 31 delineate the lower T-shaped slot .26.

Sealing strip As best shown in FIGURE 4, the sealing strip 14 is formed from a resilient material, such as rubber or one of the soft or pliable plastics and is generally U-shape in cross section. Described in detail (FIGURE 4) the seaiing strip 14 includes a pair of spaced limbs 3434 extending parallel with one another, the lower portion of the limbs being joined by a curved connecting portion or bight 35. The upper or free edges of the limbs include inturned curved edges 36-36 leading to the mounting flanges, previously indicated at 27. The curved edges 36 and flanges 27 are generally T-shaped in cross section to selectively interfit the pairs of T-shaped slots 25 and 26 of the mounting rail 24 (FIGURE 5).

The curved 'bight includes a series of flexible sealing fins 37 projecting outwardly in radial directions with respect to the radius of the curved bight 35, 'as indicated by the broken lines 38 in FIGURE 4. The free edge of each flexible fin includes a circular bead 40. The circular beads are adapted to provide one or a plurality of line seals with reference to the top surface of the sill, previously indicated at 13.

It will be noted at this point, that the sill 13, in the present example, is in the form of an extrusion having a horizontal top wall 41 (FIGURE 6) reinforced by downwardly depending limbs 4-2 which are seated against the top surface 43 of the floor, which, in the present disclosure, is formed of wood. The sill 13 (FIGURE 6) is secured in place by a series of flathead wood screws 44, the heads being countersunk with respect to the top wall 41 to provide a smooth flush surface for engagement by the flexible fins 37 of the sealing strip 14. The sill further includes sloping marginal portions 45-45 (FIG- URE 6) joined along the opposite side edges of the top wall 41, each sloping marginal portion 45 including a vertical flange 5-6 which seats upon the surface 43 of the floor.

Installation In installing the door, utilizing the adjustable sealing strip 14 of the present invention, the door frame 9 is first mounted within the door opening of the Wall and secured permanently in place. The threshold or sill 13 is then secured to the floor of the building in a position extending between the lower ends of the jambs it The door 1 is then hung temporarily within the frame, with the mounting rail 24 and sealing strip 16 separated from the lower edge of the door.

After the door is hung temporarily, the space existing between the top surface 47 of the sill and the lower edge 48 of the door is checked, as indicated at A or B in FIGURES 6 and 7. If the clearance is in the range indicated by the arrow A (FIGURE 6), then the sealing strip is applied to the lower slot 26 of the mounting rail 24, thereby to close and seal the space A. On the other hand, if the clearance is in the range indicated by the arrow B, then the sealing strip is mounted in the upper slot 25 to accommodate the smaller clearance B.

It will be understood at this point, that the upper and lower slots 25 and 26 limit the adjustment of the sealing strip to two horizontal planes. However, by virtue of the inherent flexibility of the sealing strip proper, plus the flexibility of the fins 37, the sealing strip accommodates itself to the variations in the indicated ranges A and B. Upon being installed, the fins 37 provide a wiping action with respect to the top surface 47 of the sill (with deflection of the fins 37 and partial deflection of the body of the sealing strip 14 in some instances), preferably to present several of the fins 37 to the top surface 47 of the sill. The arrangement provides a plurality of line seals to prevent the passage of air and also to seal the door against water which may be driven against the door during rain storms.

By way of example, the sealing strip d4 is mounted in a selected pair of T-shaped slots 25 and 26 which provide the proper adjustment between the lower edge of the door in the field and the surface of the sill. The vertical adjustment distances provided by the slots is less than the total extent of the deformation of the face portion of the sealing strip 14- and its fins 37 (FIGURES l1 and 12), whereby the fins provide one or more line seals with respect to the surface in any adjustment provided by the slots.

As shown in detail in FIGURE 11, with the sealing strip 14 in its lower adjustment, corresponding to FIG- URE 6 but with a clearance E, slightly less than that shown at A in FIGURE 6, three of the flexible fins 37, indicated at F, G and H are in pressure engagement with the top surface 47 of the sill. The flexible fins thus compensate for a slight decrease in the clearance A of FIG- URE 6 to provide the desired sealing action.

In the condition shown in FIGURE 12, the clearance J is less than that shown at E in FIGURE 11. In this condition, the fins K and L contact the top surface 47 of the sill; in addition, the curved portion 35 of the sealing strip is deflected upwardly as indicated at M due to the reduced clearance I.

It will be observed therefore, that the variations in the clearance A (FIGURE 6), E (FIGURE 11) and J (FIG- URE 12) represent three conditions in which the sealing strip compensates for clearance variations, with the strip in its lower, stepwise adjustment (FIGURE 6). It will be understood that similar variations may occur in the second adjustment of the sealing strip as shown in FIGURE 7. In either event, the sealing strip compensates for the stepwise adjustment of the strip to accommodate variations which are encountered in the field with reference to the door and its frame.

In installing the seal, the temporarily hung door is demounted from its hinges after the measurement A or B has been made. The seal 14 is then slipped telescopically upon the mounting rail 24 with its head flanges 27 interfitted within the selected slot 25 or 25, as indicated in FIGURE 8. The sealing strip is shown being inserted into the lower slot 26 in FIGURE 8 to accommodate the dimension A of FIGURE 6.

After the sealing strip is slipped into engagement with the rail (with the door demounted), the unit is slipped in position within the lower channel member 22 (FIG- URE 9), with its opposite ends disposed between the lower end portions 19-19 of the flanges --5 which form the edges of the door 1. The rail (and sealing strip as a unit) is then secured in place by a series of screws 50, preferably of the self-tapping type, passing upwardly through the channel 22 and through the lower portion of the filler 4.

In order to accommodate the screws 50, the sealing strip 14 is provided with mounting holes 51 (FIGURES 4 and 9) and the mounting rail 24 is provided with mating holes 52 (FIGURE 5). As shown in FIGURE 9, the holes 51 of the sealing strip admit the head of the screws 50 and also accommodate a screw driver 53 for installing and tightening the screws. After installation of the sealing strip and its mounting rail, the door is permanently hung upon its hinges 15 to complete the installation within frame 9.

The present sealing strip and mounting rail may also be utilized in closing and sealing the lower edges of doors of a modified style 54, as shown in FIGURE 10. It will be understood that the downwardly facing channel 55 of the modified door 54 is shallower than the channel 22. By way of example, the depth of the channel 55 is indicated at C (FIGURE and the depth of the channel 22 is indicated at D (FIGURE 9). In providing a seal for the modified door 54, the same sealing strip 14 and mounting rail 24 may be utilized. Due to the reduction in the depth C of the shallower channel 55, the sealing strip is usually mounted in the upper slot 25 as shown.

What is claimed is:

1. A sealing strip assembly for a door having a channelshaped open face along the lower edge portion thereof, said door adapted to be hingedly mounted within a door frame, said sealing strip assembly comprising:

a generally channel-shaped sealing strip formed of pliable material and arranged to be deformed upwardly in response to pressure;

said sealing strip having a curved outer face joined to a pair of parallel limbs projecting upwardly and including free upper edges;

said curved outer face having at least one flexible fin projecting outwardly, said fin having a bead on its outer portion which is generally circular in cross section;

a mounting rail for said sealing strip;

said mounting rail being formed of rigid material and having a plurality of pairs of opposed slots formed on the opposite sides thereof and extending longitudinally of said mounting rail;

the free edges of the limbs of said channel-shaped sealing strip being engaged within a selected pair of said opposed longitudinal slots, thereby to secure said flexible sealing strip in a selected parallel position with reference to the said rigid mounting rail;

and means securing said mounting rail, with the sealing strip secured therein, within said channel-shaped open lower edge portion of the door, with the outer face of the sealing strip substantially parallel with the lower edge of the door and spaced outwardly therefrom, whereby the outwardly projecting flexible fin of the sealing strip is adapted to establish a line seal with the surface of the door sill when the door is in its closed position with reference to the door frame;

said flexible fin projecting outwardly from the curved outer face of said deformable sealing strip for a distance which, in combination with the inherent fiexibility of the sealing strip, compensates for the stepwise adjustment provided by the slots of the mounting rail, whereby said flexible fin and deformable sealing strip, as a unit, is adapted to compensate for the stepwise adjustment provided by the slots of the mounting rail in establishing a line seal with respect to a surface of the sill.

2. A sealing strip assembly for a door having a channelshaped open face along one edge portion presented downwardly, said door adapted to be hingedly mounted within a door frame having a sill, said sealing strip assembly comprising:

a generally channel-shaped sealing strip formed of pliable material and arranged to be deformed upwardly in response to pressure;

said sealing strip having an outer face which is of curved configuration in cross section, said outer face including a pair of upwardly extending, generally parallel limbs including free upper edges;

the curved outer face of said sealing strip having a plurality of flexible fins projecting outwardly therefrom in directions generally radial to the curved outer face of the strip;

a mounting rail mounted within the channel-shaped lower open face of the door for mounting said sealing strip;

said mounting rail being formed of rigid material and having a plurality of pairs of opposed slots on opposite sides thereof extending longitudinally of said mounting rail;

the free edges of the limbs of said channel-shaped sealing strip being engaged within a selected pair of said longitudinal slots, thereby to secure said flexible sealing strip in a selected stepwise adjustment with reference to said rigid mounting rail and in parallelism therewith;

and means securing said rigid mounting rail, with the sealing strip engaged therein, within said channelshaped open lower face portion of the door with the curved outer face of the sealing strip substantially parallel with the edge of the door and spaced outwardly therefrom, whereby the outwardly projecting flexible fins of the sealing strip are adapted to establish a plurality of line seals with the parallel surface of said door sill when the door is. in its closed position with reference to the door frame;

said downwardly projecting flexible fins projecting outwardly from the surface of the curved face of the channel-shaped sealing strip for a distance which, in combination with the pliable channel-shaped sealing strip, compensates for the stepwise adjustment provided by the slots of the mounting rail in establishing the line seals with respect to the sill of the door frame.

3. A sealing strip assembly for a door having a channel-. shaped open face along the lower edge portion thereof presented downwardly, said door being hingedly mounted within a door frame having a sill extending across the lower portion thereof, said sealing strip assembly comprising:

a generally channel-shaped sealing strip formed of pliable material and arranged to be deformed in response to pressure applied in an upward direction;

said sealing strip having a downwardly curved outer face including a pair of generally parallel limbs extending upwardly and having free upper edges;

the free upper edges of the said limbs having opposed flanges which are T-shaped in cross section;

the downwardly curved outer face of said flexible sealing strip having a plurality of flexible fins projecting outwardly therefrom in directions generally radial to the curved outer face;

a mounting rail for said sealing strip;

said mounting rail being formed of rigid material and having a plurality of pairs of opposed slots on opposite sides of the rail, said slots being located in parallel horizontal planes with respect toone another and extending longitudinally of said mounting rail, said slots being generally T-shaped in cross section;

the T-shaped flanges at the free edges of the limbs of said channel-shaped sealing strip being engaged within a selected pair of said opposed longitudinal T- shaped slots of the mounting rail, thereby to secure said flexible sealing strip in a selected stepwise adjustment with reference to said mounting rail and in parallelism therewith;

and means securing said mounting rail, with the sealing strip engaged therein, within the said channelshaped open face along the lower edge portion of the door with the outer face of the sealing strip substantially parallel with the lower edge of the door and spaced outwardly therefrom, whereby the outwardly projecting radially arranged flexible fins of the sealing strip are adapted to establish a plurality of line seals with respect to the surface of the door sill when the door is in its closed position;

said flexible fins projecting outwardly and radially from the curved outer face of the deformable sealing strip for a distance which, in combination with the inherent flexibility of the sealing strip, compensates for the stepwise adjustment provided by the T-shaped slots of the mounting rail in establishing a plurality of line seals with respect to the surface of the sill of the door frame when the door is in its closed position.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,974,638 9/1934 Axe 49489 2,230,985 2/1941 Gail 49-493 2,728,118 12/1955 Gossen 49-470 X 2,949,651 8/1960 Hill 49-488 X 3,114,946 12/1963 Fluck 49482 X 3,273,287 9/ 1966 Please 49470 X DAVID J. WILLIAMOWSKY, Primary Examiner. HARRISON R. MOSELEY, Examiner.

P. C. KANNAN, Assistant Examiner.

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