Arch jamb leg interface

Abstract

There is provided an arch assembly comprising a pair of opposing vertical jamb members each including internal and external surfaces and a top surface at distal ends thereof. The external surfaces thereof preferably abut opposing parallel sides of a door frame. An arch jamb is interposed between the vertical jamb members. The arch jamb defines a curvature, opposing connective ends, and an upper surface. The connective ends each include a leg interface defining first and second vertical faces, and a horizontal face interposed therebetween. The first vertical face is configured to mate with the interior surface of the respective vertical jamb member. The horizontal face is configured to mate with the top surface of the respective vertical jamb member. The second vertical face is configured to engage the respective opposing parallel side of the door frame. The engagement of the leg interface provides structural stability of the arch jamb.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS[0001]This Application claims the benefits of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60 / 798,022, filed May 5, 2006, the entire contents of which are expressly incorporated herein.STATEMENT RE: FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH / DEVELOPMENT[0002]Not ApplicableBACKGROUND[0003]The present invention relates generally to door framing assemblies, and more particular, to an arched jamb assembly utilizing unique connective geometry to better support loads and handle stresses.[0004]During the early stages of construction, each of the walls and wall openings of a building, such as a house, must be properly framed in order to support the loads that will be placed thereon. While many diverse designs have been created to meet the tastes and needs of consumers, each design must meet the strict structural requirements for construction.[0005]The standard doorway is rectangular in shape. However, other shapes for doorways and doors have been developed. For example, ...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0013]The arched jamb member defines a curvature, opposing connective ends, and an upper surface. The connective ends include a leg interface that defines first and second vertical faces and a horizontal face interposed therebetween. The first vertical face of the leg interface is configured to mate with the interior surface of the respective vertical jamb member. The horizontal face of the leg interface is configured to mate with the top surface of the respective vertical jamb member. Finally, the second vertical face of the leg interface is configured to engage the respective opposing parallel side of the door frame. According to an aspect of the present invention, the engagement of the leg interface thus provides for enhanced structural stability of the arch jamb.

[0014]In addition, according to another aspect of the present invention, the engagement of the connective end to the vertical jamb member creates a slip joint. The slip joint is advantageous in that it may conceal any gap between the connective end and the vertical jamb member that may result in slight or substantial, intentional or unexpected vertical displacements. In this regard any gap between the top surface of the vertical jamb member and the horizontal face of the leg interface is concealed by the first vertical face of the leg interface. Further, the continuing engagement of the second vertical face with the opposing parallel side of the door frame tends to ensure the continuing structural stability of the assembly during such vertical shifting.

Problems solved by technology

Thus, as before, the assembly 10 and construction of the arched door jamb assembly 10 is made difficult because of the measuring and cutting requirements.

This result would not only be aesthetically unsightly, but may also produce undesirable structural problems.

While this method somewhat reduced the cutting and measurement requirements, other disadvantages have been noted.

For example, the arch door jamb member may have the tendency to split or crack when a load is placed thereon.

In addition to the difficulties mentioned above with respect to each of the prior art arch door jamb assemblies 10, all of the prior art techniques have one further disadvantage as shown in FIG. 4: when used with a corner bead 38, such as drywall bull nose corner bead, the side jamb 12 of each assembly 10 meets the arch jamb 14 and forms an obstruction 36 that protrudes beyond the corner bead 38 and complicates mating between the assembly 10 and the corner bead 38.

The time and expense of removing the obstruction 36 from the assembly 10 may be costly and labor intensive.

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