Threshold Protective Cover With Sloped Drainage Flange

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing protective covers for thresholds during building construction are prone to physical damage and water intrusion, leading to staining of the sill deck due to their shorter length and design, which compromises the 'like new' appearance of entryways.

Innovation Solution

A protective cover with a first flange, a cap protecting portion, a sill deck protecting portion with a constant downward slope, and a second flange featuring apertures for water drainage, designed to overlap the threshold and sill deck, providing clearance and drainage to prevent water accumulation and debris entrapment.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If the protective cover is made shorter than the threshold to enable removal between door jambs, then the cover can be easily removed, but water and debris can penetrate between the cover and sill deck causing staining

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveremoval easeVSAvoidwater intrusion

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The protective cover is divided into multiple functional segments: a first flange for positioning, a cap protecting portion for vertical protection, a sill deck protecting portion with downward slope for water diversion, and a second flange with apertures for active water drainage. This segmentation allows each portion to address specific protection needs while maintaining overall removability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The downward-sloping sill deck protecting portion acts as an intermediary element between the cover and the sill deck. It provides a clearance zone that actively manages water flow away from the sill deck surface, preventing direct water contact while maintaining the protective cover's removable design.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Object-affected harmful factors

If the protective cover extends fully along the threshold to prevent water intrusion, then water protection is improved, but the cover becomes difficult to remove and may damage the sill deck

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvewater protectionVSAvoidremoval ease

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

Different portions of the protective cover have different extensions and functions. The first flange extends locally to position the cap protecting portion, which extends vertically to protect the threshold cap. The sill deck protecting portion extends horizontally with a downward slope to manage water flow, while the second flange with apertures provides localized drainage. This local differentiation allows full protection without compromising removalability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

3Area of stationary object

If the protective cover is designed to overlap the threshold completely to maximize protection, then protection coverage is improved, but water accumulation between cover and sill deck increases staining risk

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprotection coverageVSAvoidwater accumulation

Core Design Contradiction:

Area of stationary objectVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The downward-sloping sill deck protecting portion converts the potential harm of water accumulation into beneficial water drainage. The slope directs water away from the sill deck surface, and the apertures in the second flange provide active drainage outlets. This transforms what would be a water trapping problem into an effective water management system that prevents staining while maintaining full protection coverage.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The solution effectively protects the threshold and sill deck from physical damage and water staining, maintaining the entryway's appearance by allowing water and debris to drain, reducing the risk of oxidation and ensuring easy removal without damaging the surface.

Implementation Method 1

A sill deck protecting portion with a substantially constant downward slope may extend from the threshold cap protecting portion

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectGravity: Gravitation

Implementation Method 2

The second flange may include at least one aperture, or notch, formed through the second flange to allow water to drain from under the cover

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectGravity-driven drainage: Gravitation

Data Source

PatentUS8739469B1Protective cover

Publication Date: 2014.06.03 ENDURA PRODS INC

AI summary

A cover for protection of a threshold. The cover includes a first flange. Extending from the first flange is a first portion intended to protect a sill channel or a threshold cap of the threshold. Extending from the first portion is a second portion intended to protect a sill deck of the threshold. Extending from the second portion is a second flange. The second flange has openings in the form of apertures or notches configured to allow water to drain from under the cover.