Threshold assembly including an insulative body and a bottom seal

Abstract

A threshold assembly 400 is mounted in use on a door sill 2 to seal a gap below the bottom surface 13 of an exterior door 10. The assembly includes first and second metallic parts 20, 30, e.g. aluminium extrusions, joined by an insulative body (40, fig 7F), e.g. a plastics extrusion, which extends below the bottom surface of the door when closed. A compression seal 50 is arranged in compression between a stop surface of the first part and a first side 11 of the door when closed. A bottom seal 60, 70 is mounted on the insulative body to engage the bottom surface of the door when closed. Drainage holes 45 may be formed through the insulative body 40 to open within an upwardly open recess 41 defining an air pocket 80 below the bottom surface of the closed door in-between the compression seal and the bottom seal.

Description

This invention relates to threhold assemblies for use in sealing a gap between a door sill and the downwardly facing surface of an exterior door. In use, a threshold assembly remains in a fixed position on the door sill while the door is opened and closed. The threshold assembly is configured to form a seal beneath the door when the door is closed, to exclude wind and rain from the building. Typically such assemblies are formed from extrusions of aluminium or aluminium alloy with resilient seals mounted on the extrusions, and having a stop surface that confronts the internal or external side of the door in the closed position. In the use position, the extrusions extend along the door sill substantially across the width of the doorway. The height of the threshold assembly is small enough to avoid presenting a trip hazard for persons passing through the doorway. In this specification, a door sill means the fixed element that defines the upwardly facing bottom surface of a doorway, whether made from concrete, wood, plastics (e.g. PVC) or other materials. An exterior doorway means a doorway that is formed between an interior space of a building and the environment exterior to the building. Figs. 1 - 6 show three example threshold assemblies 100, 200, 300 having features generally known in the art, which are shown as installed in a conventional exterior doorway and mainly in transverse section as explained in the brief description of the drawings. Fig. 1 shows the exterior doorway 1 formed in an exterior wall 4 of a building, having a fixed doorframe 6 (e.g. of timber, plastics material, or metal) whose bottom side is formed by a door sill 2. The doorway 1 is closeable by a door 10 having opposite, first and second sides 11,12 and a downwardly facing bottom surface 13. As referred to herein, the bottom surface of the door may include the narrow, downwardly facing surface of the main body of the door, as illustrated. Alternatively or additionally, the bottom surface of the door may include the downwardly facing surface or surfaces of a conventional rain deflector or other profile or profiles (not shown) that may be mounted near the bottom of the door on its internal and / or external side to help keep out rain or draughts. The door 10 is mounted on hinges 14 for rotation about a vertical hinge axis X between an open position (Figs. 1, 3A, 3B) and a closed position (Figs. 2A, 2B). The door 10 is closeable to the closed position by rotation about the hinge axis X in a first direction DI in which the first side 11 leads the second side 12, and openable to the open position by rotation about the hinge axis X in a second direction D2 in which the second side 12 leads the first side 11. In the arrangement shown in Fig. 1, the door is inwardly opening, so that when closed, its first side 11 forms its exterior side at the exterior side 3 of the doorway, and its second side 12 forms its interior side, facing towards the interior of the building. If instead the door 10 is arranged to be outwardly opening, as shown in the example of Figs. 4A - 4C, then in the closed position, its first side 11 will form its interior side facing inwardly into the building, and its second side 12 will form its exterior side at the exterior side 3 of the doorway. As illustrated, the doorframe may includes doorjambs 5 that cover the vertical edges of the first side 11 of the door 10 when the door is closed. Each of the known threshold assemblies 100, 200, 300 is arranged in the use position, as illustrated, to seal a gap G between the door sill 2 and the bottom surface 13 of the door 10 in the closed position of the door 10. The first example assembly 100 is shown in more detail in Figs. 2, 3, and 5. The second example assembly 200 is shown in Figs. 4. The third example assembly 300 is shown in Fig. 6. Each assembly 100, 200, 300 includes, in the use position: a first part 120, 220, 320; a compression seal 150, 250, 350; a second part 130, 230, 330; and an insulative body 140, 240, 340. The first and third assemblies 100, 300 also include a bottom seal 160, 360. The first part 120, 220, 320 is made from metal, typically an extrusion of aluminium or aluminium alloy, and defines a stop surface 121, 221, 321. The first part is arranged at the first side 11 of the door in the closed position of the door 10. The compression seal 150, 250, 350 is arranged in compression between the stop surface 121, 221, 321 and the first side 11 of the door 10 in the closed position of the door 10. The second part 130, 230, 330 is made from metal, typically an extrusion of aluminium or aluminium alloy, and is arranged at the second side 12 of the door 10 in the closed position of the door 10, and below a swept plane P of the bottom surface 13 of the door 10. By a swept plane is meant that plane P through which the bottom surface 13 of the door 10 moves as the door is opened and closed. The insulative body 140, 240, 340 is made from a non-metal material, e.g. a plastics material, and connects together the first part 120, 220, 320 and the second part 130, 230, 330. It extends below the bottom surface 13 of the door 10 in the closed position of the door 10. The insulative body helps to reduce thermal conduction across the doorway (between the interior of the building and the outside environment) between the thermally conductive metallic first and second parts when the door 10 is closed. This is desirable so as to conserve heat in the building and avoid a cold spot forming at the bottom of the door, which could cause condensation and, for example, a damp spot on a carpet. The bottom seal 160, 360 of the first and third assemblies 100, 300 is arranged to contact the bottom surface 13 of the door 10 in the closed position of the door 10. The first and third assemblies 100, 300 are configured for use with an inwardly opening door 10 (so the first side 11 of the door faces exteriorly of the building when closed), and the first parts 120, 320 define an outdoor ramp 124, 324. The second assembly 200 is configured for use with an outwardly opening door 10 (so the second side 12 of the door faces exteriorly of the building when closed), and the second part 230 defines an outdoor ramp 234. The outdoor ramps help to avoid tripping when entering the building, and have a ribbed surface for better grip in wet weather. The first part 220 includes a downwardly facing retaining lip 227 which as best seen in Fig. 4C may be engaged in an upwardly facing slot 93 of an accessory ramp 92. The accessory ramp 92 can be coupled in this way to the first part 220 to provide easier access, e.g. for a wheelchair user. Similar lips 137, 337 are provided on the second parts 130, 330 of the first and third assemblies 100, 300. As best seen in Fig. 2C and Fig. 6, the first and third assemblies 100, 300 define an upwardly open recess 141, 341 between the compression seal 150, 350 and the bottom seal 160, 360, which forms an air pocket 180, 380 when the door 10 is closed. The air pocket helps to reduce thermal conduction between the interior and exterior of the building at the bottom of the door. Drainage holes 145, 345 are drilled through the metallic extrusion forming the first part 120, 320 to drain water collecting in the upwardly open recess 141, 341 to the exterior side 3 of the doorway 1. The drainage holes intersect internal cavities of the metallic extrusion so that the water flows away via the internal cavities, as shown. The outdoor ramp 124, 324 extends downwardly to conceal the drainage holes, which helps prevent draughts. The bottom seal 160, 360 is formed as a resilient blade, e.g. of rubber or plastics material, and is mounted in an elongate channel 149, 349 so that it can be removed and replaced when worn. Although not illustrated, it is common to provide an additional seal, such as a brush seal, in spaced relation to the other seal or seals of the assembly. Figs. 5A - 5C illustrate a known method by which the first example assembly 100 is manufactured. The second example assembly 200 is manufactured in the same way. Fig. 5A shows how the first and second parts 120,130 are formed integrally as an extrusion of aluminium or aluminium alloy, defining a recess 190 with a web 191 of the extrusion forming the base of the recess. Fig. 5B shows how the recess 190 is filled with a resin 140 which hardens in the recess. Fig. 5C shows how the web 191 is cut away leaving the first and second parts 120,130 connected together in fixed relation by the hardened resin 140 which forms the insulative body, reducing thermal conduction through the assembly. In the third example assembly 300 of Fig. 6, the insulative body 340 is extruded from plastics material and includes first and second tongues 346, 347 which are fixedly received, respectively, in first and second grooves 323, 333 to connect the first and second parts 320, 330 together as an assembly. Each groove 323, 333 is formed between opposed retaining profiles 325, 335 of the respective metal part. One of the retaining profiles is deformed during assembly, e.g. by applying pressure between a pair of opposed rollers, to clamp the tongue in the groove. It is a general object of the present invention to provide a threshold assembly that is effective in use and convenient to manufacture. Accordingly there is provided a threshold assembly as defined in claim 1. The dependent claims define optional features. The novel threshold assembly includes features corresponding generally to those described above with reference to the example threshold assemblies 100, 200, 300, but differs from these prior art threshold assemblies 100, 200, 300 in that the bottom seal 60 is mounted on the insulative body 40. This reduces thermal conduction across the bottom seal 60 and so improves the thermal insulation provided by the air pocket 80, and so further reduces thermal conduction between the first and second parts 20, 30. Further features and advantages will be appreciated from the illustrative embodiments of the invention that will now be described, purely by way of example and without limitation to the scope of the claims. Reference is made also to the foregoing description of features known in the art which are pertinent also to the described embodiments, and to the accompanying drawings, in which: Fig. 1 shows a first conventional threshold assembly 100 mounted in the use position in a doorway with an inwardly opening door. Figs. 2A and 2B are sections taken through the first assembly 100, respectively at A-A and B-B of Fig. 1 with the door in the closed position. The figures show the same section lines as in Fig. 1. Fig. 2C is an enlarged partial view of Fig. 2A. Figs. 3A and 3B are sections taken through the first assembly 100, respectively at A-A and B-B of Fig. 1 with the door in the open position. The figures show the same section lines as in Fig. 1. Fig. 3C is an enlarged partial view of Fig. 3A. Figs. 4A and 4B are sections through a second prior art threshold assembly 200 mounted in the use position in a doorway with an outwardly opening door, wherein the sections are taken at positions corresponding respectively to section lines A-A and B-B of Fig. 1. Fig. 4A shows the door in the closed position, and Fig. 4B shows the door in the open position. Fig. 4C is an enlarged partial view of Fig. 4A. Figs. 5A - 5C show sequential steps in the manufacture of the first prior art threshold assembly 100 of Figs. 1 - 3. Fig. 6 shows a third prior art threshold assembly 300 mounted in the use position in a doorway with an inwardly opening door, taken in a position corresponding to section line A-A of Fig. 1. Figs. 7A - 7G show a fourth threshold assembly 400 in accordance with an embodiment of the invention, in transverse section, wherein:- Fig. 7A is an exploded view of the component parts of the fourth threshold assembly 400. Fig. 7B shows the first and second parts engaged with the insulative body prior to compression of the retaining profiles. Fig. 7C shows how the retaining profiles are compressed to lock the components together as a fixed assembly. Fig. 7D shows the fixed assembly after drilling a drainage hole. Fig. 7E shows the fixed assembly after fitting the seals. Fig. 7F shows the fixed assembly mounted in the use position in a doorway with an inwardly opening door, with the section taken at a position corresponding to A-A of Fig. 1, showing the door in the open position. Fig. 7G is a section corresponding to Fig. 7F, showing the door in the closed position. Figs. 8A and 8B show a fifth threshold assembly 500 in accordance with another embodiment of the invention. Figs. 9A and 9B show a sixth threshold assembly 600 in accordance with yet another embodiment of the invention. Figs. 10A and 10B show a seventh threshold assembly 700 in accordance with yet another embodiment of the invention. Figs. 11A and 11B show a eighth threshold assembly 800 in accordance with yet another embodiment of the invention. Figs. 12A and 12B show a ninth threshold assembly 900 in accordance with yet another embodiment of the invention. Figs. 13A and 13B show a tenth threshold assembly 1000 in accordance with yet another embodiment of the invention. Figs. 14A and 14B show an eleventh threshold assembly 1100 in accordance with yet another embodiment of the invention. Reference numerals and characters that appear in more than one of the figures indicate the same or corresponding features in each of them. Embodiments of the novel threshold assembly will now be described by reference to the fourth threshold assembly 400 as shown in Figs. 7A - 7G. The foregoing description of the door and doorway and details of the installation and common features of the conventional threshold assemblies applies equally to the novel threshold assembly, except for the points of difference which will be apparent from the following description. Like the conventional threshold assemblies, the novel threshold assembly is configured for installation in a fixed, use position on a door sill 2 of a conventional exterior doorway 1 closeable by a door 10 to seal the gap G between the door sill 2 and the bottom surface 13 of the door 10 in the closed position of the door 10, as shown in Fig. 1. Referring to Figs. 7A - 7G, the assembly 400 includes a first part 20, a compression seal 50, a second part 30, an insulative body 40, and at least one bottom seal 60, 70. Optionally, as shown, two bottom seals 60, 70 may be arranged in spaced relation. The first part 20 is made from metal and defines a stop surface 21. In its use position as shown in Figs. 7F and 7G, the first part 20 is arranged at the first side 11 of the door in the closed position of the door 10. The stop surface 21 extends above the swept plane P of the bottom surface 13 of the door 10 so that it confronts the first side 11 of the door when closed. The second part 30 is made from metal. In its use position as shown in Figs. 7F and 7G, the second part 30 is arranged at the second side 12 of the door 10 in the closed position of the door 10, and below the swept plane P of the bottom surface 13 of the door 10, so that the door can swing open and closed above the second part 30. By "at the first side" and "at the second side" is meant that the first and second parts 20, 30 are positioned so that the first part 20 is relatively closer to that side of the doorway towards which the first side 11 of the door faces in its closed position, and the second part 30 is relatively closer to that side of the doorway towards which the second side 12 of the door faces in its closed position. The fourth assembly 400 is configured for use with an inwardly opening door, although it could also be installed in a doorway having an outwardly opening door (in which case the illustrated drainage holes might not be provided). In the illustrated embodiment as shown in Figs. 7F and 7G, the door is inwardly opening, and so the first part 20 is arranged at the exterior side 11 of the door, which is to say, closer to the exterior side 3 of the doorway, and the second part 30 is arranged at the interior side 12 of the door, which is to say, closer to the interior of the building. This is the general arrangement as illustrated in Fig. 1. Alternatively, where the assembly is configured or installed instead for use with an outwardly opening door, the first part 20 will be arranged at the interior side 11 of the door, which is to say, closer to the interior of the building, and the second part 30 at the exterior side 12 of the door, which is to say, closer to the exterior side 3 of the doorway, which is the general arrangement as illustrated in Figs. 4. The compression seal 50 is arranged in compression between the stop surface 21 and the first side 11 of the door 10 in the closed position of the door 10. As illustrated, the compression seal 50 may be formed as a resilient, e.g. elastomeric or compressible body, e.g. an extrusion of sponge rubber or other plastics or elastomeric material as known in the art. It may have a hollow transverse section, e.g. D-shaped or P-shaped as generally known in the art. As illustrated, the compression seal 50 may include a mounting portion 51 which is received in an elongate channel 29 of the first part 20. The compression seal 50 may be mounted removably and replaceably on the first part 20, so that it can be replaced when worn, e.g. by pulling it out of the channel 29. The compression seal 50 may be arranged to substantially exclude wind and rain from penetrating between the door 10 and the first part 20 when arranged at the exterior side 3 of the doorway for use with an inwardly opening door. If arranged instead at the interior side of the doorway, i.e. in the arrangement generally illustrated in Figs. 4, the the compression seal 50 may act as a draught seal, substantially preventing airflow between the door and the first part 20. The insulative body 40 is so called because it is made from a non-metal material, e.g. a plastics material, which therefore has lower thermal conductivity than the metal, e.g. aluminium or aluminium alloy of the first and second parts. The plastics material may be a polyamide thermoset, and may be formed by extrusion. The insulative body 40 connects together the first and second parts 20, 30 and, in use, extends below the bottom surface 13 of the door 10 in the closed position of the door 10, as shown in Fig. 7G. Each of the first and second parts 20, 30 may include an extrusion of aluminium or aluminium alloy, or may consist essentially of an extrusion of aluminium or aluminium alloy - which is to say, each part 20, 30 may be principally an aluminium or aluminium alloy extrusion, either with or without additional minor features such as a surface coating, e.g. an anodised or painted surface coating. The insulative body 40 may include an extrusion of plastics material, or may consist essentially of an extrusion of plastics material - which is to say, the insulative body 40 may be principally an extrusion of plastics material, e.g. a polyamide thermoset, either with or without additional minor features such as a surface coating. The extrusion of plastics material may define internal cavities 48, which advantageously reduce its section area in the plane of the doorway 1, and so reduce cost as well as further reducing thermal conduction between the interior and exterior of the building. Optionally, as shown in Fig. 7 A, the first and second parts 20, 30 may define, respectively, first and second grooves 23, 33, and the insulative body 40 may include corresponding, first and second tongues 46, 47. It will be understood that all of the described features of the assembly (other than drainage holes) can be formed conveniently by extrusion and so may form parts of the profile of the assembly and of the profiles of its component parts 20, 30,40, wherein each profile may be constant, i.e. invariate, along its length axis, i.e. across the width of the doorway 1. The seals similarly may have constant profiles along the length axis of the assembly. The first and second tongues 46,47 are fixedly received, respectively, in the first and second grooves 23, 33, to connect the first and second parts 20, 30 together as an assembly, as shown in Fig. 7D. Fig. 7B shows the first assembly step where the tongues are received in the grooves. Each groove 23, 33 is formed between opposed retaining profiles 25, 35 of the respective first or second part 20, 30. Then, as shown in Fig. 7C, one of each pair of retaining profiles 25, 35 is deformed during assembly, e.g. by applying pressure between a pair of opposed rollers 90, to clamp the tongue in the groove, as known in the art. After clamping, the three parts are united as a rigid assembly with intimate contact between their confronting surfaces, which may be sufficient to prevent water from leaking through the interstice. This provides a simpler and more cost effective method of assembly when compared with the arrangement of example assemblies 100 and 200 as earlier described. The bottom seal 60 (or bottom seal 70) may include a brush 63, 73 (e.g. as shown in Figs. 7 and in the alternative embodiments of Figs. 10,11 and 12) - ora resilient blade 62 (e.g. as shown in Figs. 7 and in the alternative embodiments of Figs. 8, 9,13 and 14, or a resilient blade 162, 362 as shown in the bottom seals 160, 360 of the earlier described example assemblies.) The blade 62,162, 362 may be made from a plastics or elastomeric material, e.g. a natural or synthetic rubber, e.g. by extrusion, as known in the art. The or each bottom seal 60, 70 is mounted on the insulative body 40, optionally by forming an elongate channel 49,49' in the insulative body 40 to receive a mounting portion 61, 71 of the bottom seal 60, 70 as shown. The bottom seal 60, 70 may be mounted removably and replaceably on the insulative body 40 so that it can be replaced when worn, for example, by pulling it out of the channel 49,49'. The or each bottom seal 60, 70 is arranged in the use position of the assembly to contact the bottom surface 13 of the door 10 in the closed position of the door 10, as shown in Fig. 7G. (The bottom seal accommodates some variation in the height of the bottom surface 13 so in practice, the door might be fitted a little higher than illustrated.) When the door 10 is open (Fig. 7F), the blade 62 or brush 73 may project above the swept plane P of its bottom surface 13 so that it is bent down by contact with the door as the door moves to its closed position, thus exerting a constant spring pressure against the bottom surface 13 to form an effective seal that substantially resists airflow. The bottom seal is deflected and so avoids damage by accidental contact with footwear as persons pass through the doorway. In the closed position of the door (Fig. 7G) an air pocket 80 is formed below the bottom surface 13 of the door between the compression seal 50 and the bottom seal 60. Since the insulative body 40 extends under the bottom seal 60 (and also under the additional bottom seal 70), this arrangement obviates the thermal bridge that can be formed in prior art arrangements where the air pocket and the metallic support under the bottom seal transmit sensible heat across the insulative body and between the first and second metallic parts, by convection and condensation of water vapour on the exposed metal surfaces inside the air pocket, and by direct conduction through the metal under the bottom seal. Instead, the insulative body 40 substantially reduces conduction across the bottom seal 60, 70, and also reduces the amount of heat energy that is transmitted via the air in the air pocket 80, so that the assembly forms a better thermal barrier. Preferably, as best seen in Figs. 7F and 7G, the insulative body 40 defines a bottom surface 42 (which is to say, an upwardly facing surface, which in the use position may be a lowest upwardly facing surface) of an upwardly open recess 41 between the compression seal 50 and the bottom seal 60. The upwardly open recess 41 defines the air pocket 80 when the door 10 is closed. This further reduces thermal transmission across the air pocket 80, due to the reduced thermal conductivity of the bottom surface 42 and the consequent reduction in induced convention and condensation in the air pocket 80, compared with prior art assemblies where the bottom surface is part of the metallic components. This advantageous effect is further enhanced by forming the insulative body 40 with internal cavities 48, further reducing its thermal conductivity. At least one drainage hole 45 may extend through the insulative body 40 to drain water collecting in the upwardly open recess 41 to an exterior side 3 of the doorway 1. If the assembly is configured for use with an inwardly opening door, then the drainage hole or holes 45 may discharge water under or through the first part 20 (e.g. as illustrated by the arrows in Fig. 7G.) Alternatively, if the assembly is configured for use with an outwardly opening door, then the drainage hole or holes 45 may discharge water under or through the second part 30 (not illustrated.) Further preferably, the insulative body 40 may define a side surface 43 of the upwardly open recess 41, wherein the side surface 43 extends upwardly from the bottom surface 42. The at least one drainage hole 45 may open through the side surface 43 or through the bottom surface 42 proximate the side surface 43. This means that relatively more of the interior surface of the recess 41 is formed from the relatively more insulative material of the insulative body 40 rather than the surfaces of the metallic components, and so further improves the insulation afforded by the assembly. As described above, the first and second parts 20, 30 may define, respectively, first and second grooves 23, 33, wherein the insulative body 40 includes first and second tongues 46, 47 which are fixedly received, respectively, in the first and second grooves 23, 33, to connect the first and second parts 20, 30 together as an assembly. In this arrangement, the at least one drainage hole 45 may extend through the first part 20 and the first tongue 46 (as illustrated in Figs. 7D - 7G), or through the second part 30 and the second tongue 47 (not illustrated.) Where the threshold assembly is configured or installed for use with an inwardly opening door 10, e.g. as shown in Figs. 7F and 7G and as illustrated generally in Fig. 1, the side surface 43 may be arranged below the stop surface 21, and the at least one drainage hole 45 may extend through the first part 20 and the first tongue 46. Since the tongues 46, 47 are preferably solid (without internal cavities) to withstand the clamping force during assembly, these arrangements make it possible to form the drainage hole or holes 45 through those solid parts of the insulative body 40 without requiring a more thick or solid (hence more thermally conductive) construction further into the recess 41 that forms the air pocket 80. This is particularly helpful where the insulative body 40 has internal cavities 48, since the at least one drainage hole 45 then does not intersect the internal cavities 48. For use with an inwardly opening door, where the side surface 43 is arranged below (i.e. proximate and below the height of) the stop surface 21 of the first part, as shown in Fig. 7F, the side surface 43 will be arranged towards the exterior side 3 of the doorway, hence providing the less thermally conductive interior surface of the air pocket 80 also in that region closest to the outside air, and so further reducing thermal conduction through the assembly. Fig. 7D shows how the drainage hole 45 can be formed by drilling through the first tongue 46 and first part 20 of the assembly after clamping the tongue 46 in the first groove 23. A series of holes 45 can be formed in this way in spaced locations along the length of the assembly. Fig. 7E shows how the seals are installed after drilling the drainage holes 45. As illustrated, the assembly can include an additional seal 70, which is arranged to contact the bottom surface 13 of the door 10 in the closed position of the door 10, as shown in Fig. 7G. The addition seal may extend above the swept plane P of the bottom surface 13 of the door when the door is open, as shown in Fig. 7F. The bottom seal 60 is arranged between the compression seal 50 and the additional seal 70, so that the three seals are spaced apart between the first and second parts 20, 30. The additional seal 70 may be: a brush 73 (which is to say, a bundle of independently mobile fibres or bristles), as illustrated in the alternative embodiments of Figs. 7, 8, 9, 13 and 14; or a resilient blade 72, e.g. of plastics or elastomeric material, as illustrated in the alternative embodiment of Figs. 12; or a resiliently compressible seal such as a hollow body or a body of sponge rubber or other resiliently compressible material. As illustrated in Figs. 7E - 7G, the additional seal 70 may be mounted on the insulative body 40 to provide a second bottom seal in addition to the bottom seal 60. This arrangement can yet further reduce thermal conduction across the assembly. Alternatively, the additional seal 70 may be mounted on the second part 30 as illustrated in the alternative embodiments of Figs. 8, 9,12,13, and 14. The additional seal 70 may be mounted by forming an elongate channel, e.g. channel 49' in the insulative body 40 as shown in Figs. 7, or channel 39' in the second part 30 in the alternative embodiments of Figs. 8, 9,12,13, and 14, to receive a mounting portion 71 of the additional seal 70 as shown. The additional seal 70 may be mounted removably and replaceably so that it can be replaced when worn, for example, by pulling it out of the channel 49' or 39'. Figs. 7F and 7G illustrate how the threshold assembly may be installed on the door sill 2 by bedding it on a mastic waterproof adhesive 91 which fills the shallow recesses formed at the base of the extruded profiles 20, 30. Alternatively, screw holes (not shown) may be drilled through the assembly to receive fixing screws. The screw holes can be drilled in the insulative body 40 on-site, which advantageously makes it easy to countersink the screw heads to full depth into the plastics (or other non-metal) material (which may be somewhat softer and thicker than the metal extrusions) and so may provide a better finish when installed this way. It may be noted that various recesses are formed in the bottom surfaces of the metal profiles, including part-circular recesses. These may accommodate connectors for fixing conventional accessory parts to the assembly, as known in the art. Such accessory parts (not shown) may include e.g. end caps for finishing the ends of the assembly, or securements for fixing the assembly to the doorframe 6, or for receiving retractable locking elements of the door 10. Additionally, the drainage holes 45 may terminate in one of the recesses, as shown in Figs. 7D - 7G, which further helps to protect the drainage holes against wind and driving rain. The drainage holes 45 may be protected at the external side 3 of the doorway 1 by a protective shield forming part of the respective, first or second part 20, 30 (e.g. protective shield 26 of the first part 20 of the fourth assembly 400, Figs. 7D - 7G) which extends downwardly to a level below the drainage holes 45 or the recess in which they terminate. The threshold assembly may include an outdoor ramp 24, 34 which is arranged in the use position at the exterior side 3 of the doorway 1. As known in the art and earlier described, the outdoor ramp 24, 34 may have a ribbed or otherwise textured surface, as illustrated, to provide better grip for footwear in wet weather. Where the threshold assembly is configured for use with an inwardly opening door 10, the outdoor ramp 24 may form an integral portion of the first part 20, as illustrated in the embodiments of Figs. 8, 9,13, and 14. A ramp 24' may be formed on the first part 20 even where the assembly is configured for use with an outwardly opening door, as shown in the embodiments of Figs. 11 and 12. Such ramps 24' may have a ribbed or textured surface as shown, and the assembly 800, 900 could be used either with an outwardly opening door (the ramp 24' then being on the interior side of the doorway 1) or with an inwardly opening door (in which case the ramp 24' forms an outdoor ramp at the exterior side 3 of the doorway 1.) Where the threshold assembly is configured for use with an outwardly opening door 10, the outdoor ramp 34 may form an integral portion of the second part 30, as illustrated in the assembly 700 of Figs. 10A and 10B. This assembly 700 however also has a ramp 24' forming an integral portion of the first part 20, similar to the embodiments of Figs. 11 and 12. Either ramp 24, 34 could be arranged at the exterior side 3 of the doorway 1, depending on whether the door 10 is inwardly or outwardly opening. The outdoor ramp 24 or 34 may be arranged to form a protective shield that is arranged, similar to the protective shield 26 of the fourth assembly 400, to obscure the drainage holes 45. Although drainage holes 45 are not shown in the embodiments of Figs. 8 -14, they may be formed as previously described with reference to the fourth assembly 400, and, advantageously, through the respective interlocked tongue and groove 23, 46 in the embodiments of Figs. 8, 9,13, and 14 when located towards the exterior side 3 of the doorway. The respective first and second parts 20, 30 may be formed with other shapes, including for example a downwardly facing retaining lip 27, 37. The lip will help to shed drips when arranged at the exterior side of the doorway, or may be used as known in the art to retain an accessory ramp 92 similar to that shown in Fig. 4C on either the interior or exterior side of the doorway. For example, the assembly may have an outdoor ramp at the exterior side of the doorway, and a retaining lip at the interior side of the doorway. The preferred configuration may be selected to suit the characteristics of the door sill 2. Referring now to Figs. 8 -14, the features described earlier with reference to the fourth assembly 400 can be seen also in the fifth to eleventh threshold assemblies 500, 600, 700, 800, 900,1000,1100, which are manufactured and installed in the same way as the fourth assembly 400. The elements described above are indicated by the same reference numerals and so are not described again in detail. The fifth assembly 500 (Figs. 8A, 8B) is configured principally for use with an inwardly opening door and has a bottom seal 60 with a blade 62 mounted on the insulative body 40, and an additional brush seal 70 on the second part 30, with an exterior ramp 24 and an interior retaining lip 37 for an accessory ramp. The sixth assembly 600 (Figs. 9A, 9B) is configured for use with an inwardly opening door and is generally similar to the fifth assembly 500, but having a relatively shorter exterior ramp 24 that is also provided with a retaining lip 27. The seventh assembly 700 (Figs. 10A, 10B) is configured for use with an outwardly opening door and has an insulative body 40 with a flat upper surface rather than an upwardly facing recess as earlier described. The bottom seal 60 has a brush 63, and the second part 30 defines a long exterior ramp 34, which together minimise the risk of tripping. A short interior ramp 24' includes a retaining lip 27 so the ramp can be extended by fitting an accessory ramp 92 (Fig. 4C) if required. The eighth assembly 800 (Figs. 11A, 11B) is generally similar to the seventh assembly 700 and can also be used with an outwardly opening door, but has a short second part 30 with a retaining lip 37 in place of the exterior ramp 34. The ninth assembly 900 (Figs. 12A, 12B) is generally similar to the eighth assembly 800 but has an additional groove 39' formed in the second part 30, which can be used to receive an additional seal 70, e.g. having a blade 72 as shown in Fig. 12B. The blade 72 helps to exclude rain and wind if installed for use with an outwardly opening door. Alternatively, if installed the other way around for use with an inwardly opening door, the blade 72 acts as an additional draught excluder while the compression seal 50 excludes rain and wind at the exterior side 3 of the doorway. The tenth assembly 1000 (Figs. 13A, 13B) is generally similar to the sixth assembly 600, but has a relatively longer second part 30 and so may be preferred if the door or door sill is slightly wider. The eleventh assembly 1100 (Figs. 14A, 14B) is generally similar to the tenth assembly 1000 but has a longer external ramp 24. In summary, a threshold assembly 400 is mounted in use on a door sill 2 to seal a gap G below the bottom surface 13 of an exterior door 10. The assembly 400 includes first and second metallic parts 20, 30, e.g. aluminium extrusions, joined by an insulative body 40, e.g. a plastics extrusion, which extends below the bottom surface 13 of the door when 5 closed. A compression seal 50 is arranged in compression between a stop surface 21 of the first part 20 and a first side 11 of the door 10 when closed. A bottom seal 60, 70 is mounted on the insulative body 40 to engage the bottom surface 13 of the door when closed. Drainage holes 45 may be formed through the insulative body 40 to open within an upwardly open recess 41 defining an air pocket below the bottom surface 13 of the 10 closed door 10 in-between the compression seal 50 and the bottom seal 60, 70. Many further adaptations are possible within the scope of the claims. In the claims, reference numerals and characters are provided in parentheses purely for 15 ease of reference, and should not be construed as limiting features.

Claims

1. A threshold assembly (400) for installation in a fixed, use position on a door sill (2) of an exterior doorway (1);the doorway (1) being closeable by a door (10) having opposite, first and second sides (11,12) and a downwardly facing bottom surface (13), and mounted for rotation about a vertical hinge axis (X) between an open position and a closed position;the door being closeable to the closed position by rotation in a first direction (DI) in which the first side (11) leads the second side (12), and openable to the open position by rotation in a second direction (D2) in which the second side (12) leads the first side (11);the threshold assembly being arranged, in the use position, to seal a gap (G) between the door sill (2) and the bottom surface (13) of the door (10) in the closed position of the door (10), and including, in the use position:a first part (20) made from metal and defining a stop surface (21), the first part (20) being arranged at the first side (11) of the door in the closed position of the door (10);a compression seal (50), the compression seal (50) being arranged in compression between the stop surface (21) and the first side (11) of the door (10) in the closed position of the door (10);a second part (30) made from metal, the second part (30) being arranged at the second side (12) of the door (10) in the closed position of the door (10), and below a swept plane (P) of the bottom surface (13) of the door (10);an insulative body (40) made from a non-metal material, the insulative body (40) connecting together the first and second parts (20, 30) and extending below the bottom surface (13) of the door (10) in the closed position of the door (10); anda bottom seal (60), the bottom seal (60) being arranged to contact the bottom surface (13) of the door (10) in the closed position of the door (10);whereinthe bottom seal (60) is mounted on the insulative body (40).

2. A threshold assembly according to claim 1, wherein the insulative body (40) defines a bottom surface (42) of an upwardly open recess (41) between the compression seal (50) and the bottom seal (60).

3. A threshold assembly according to claim 2, wherein at least one drainage hole (45) extends through the insulative body (40) to drain water collecting in the upwardly open recess (41) to an exterior side (3) of the doorway (1).

4. A threshold assembly according to claim 3, wherein the insulative body (40) defines a side surface (43) of the upwardly open recess (41), the side surface (43) extending upwardly from the bottom surface (42); andthe at least one drainage hole (45) opens through the side surface (43) or through the bottom surface (42) proximate the side surface (43).

5. A threshold assembly according to claim 4, wherein the first and second parts (20, 30) define, respectively, first and second grooves (23, 33), and the insulative body (40) includes first and second tongues (46, 47);the first and second tongues (46, 47) being fixedly received, respectively, in the first and second grooves (23, 33), to connect the first and second parts (20, 30) together as an assembly; andthe at least one drainage hole (45) extends through the first part (20) and the first tongue (46), or through the second part (30) and the second tongue (47).

6. A threshold assembly according to claim 4, wherein the first and second parts (20, 30) define, respectively, first and second grooves (23, 33), and the insulative body (40) includes first and second tongues (46, 47);the first and second tongues (46, 47) being fixedly received, respectively, in the first and second grooves (23, 33), to connect the first and second parts (20, 30) together as an assembly; andthe threshold assembly is configured for use with an inwardly opening door (10), wherein the side surface (43) is arranged below the stop surface (21), and the at least one drainage hole (45) extends through the first part (20) and the first tongue (46).

7. A threshold assembly according to claim 5 or claim 6, wherein the insulative body (40) has internal cavities (48), and the at least one drainage hole (45) does not intersect the internal cavities (48).

8. A threshold assembly according to claim 1, wherein the bottom seal (60) is mounted removably and replaceably on the insulative body (40).

9. A threshold assembly according to claim 8, wherein a mounting portion (61) of the bottom seal (60) is received in an elongate channel (49) of the insulative body (40).

10. A threshold assembly according to claim 1, further including an additional seal (70), the additional seal (70) being arranged to contact the bottom surface (13) of the door (10) in the closed position of the door (10);the bottom seal (60) being arranged between the compression seal (50) and the additional seal (70).

11. A threshold assembly according to claim 10, wherein the additional seal (70) is mounted on the insulative body (40).

12. A threshold assembly according to claim 10, wherein the additional seal (70) is mounted on the second part (30).

13. A threshold assembly according to claim 1, wherein:each of the first and second parts (20, 30) consists essentially of an extrusion of aluminium or aluminium alloy; andthe insulative body (40) consists essentially of an extrusion of plastics material; andthe first and second parts (20, 30) define, respectively, first and second grooves (23, 33), and the insulative body (40) includes first and second tongues (46, 47);the first and second tongues (46, 47) being fixedly received, respectively, in the first and second grooves (23, 33), to connect the first and second parts (20, 30) together as an assembly.

14. A threshold assembly according to claim 13, wherein the extrusion of plastics material defines internal cavities (48).

15. A threshold assembly according to any of claims 1 -14, including an outdoor ramp (24, 34), the outdoor ramp (24, 34) being arranged in the use position at an exterior side (3) of the doorway (1); wherein either(a) the threshold assembly is configured for use with an inwardly opening door (10), and the outdoor ramp (24) forms an integral portion of the first part (20); or(b) the threshold assembly is configured for use with an outwardly opening door (10), and the outdoor ramp (34) forms an integral portion of the second part (30).

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