AU2007237192A1 - Automatic Threshold Seal - Google Patents

Description

P/00/011 Regulation 3.2

AUSTRALIA

Patents Act 1990 COMPLETE SPECIFICATION FOR A STANDARD PATENT

ORIGINAL

TO BE COMPLETED BY APPLICANT Name of Applicant: RAVEN PRODUCTS PTY LTD Actual Inventor: Russell Clark and George Salamon Address for Service: A.P.T. Patent and Trade Mark Attorneys PO Box 222, Mitcham, SA 5062 Invention Title: Automatic Threshold Seal Details of Associated Provisional: Application No 2006906515 dated 22nd November 2006 The following statement is a full description of this invention, including the best method of performing it known to me/us:-

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This invention relates to an automatic threshold seal for a door, in particular to a drop 0 z seal.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION A number of threshold seals are available on the market and have been described, _including as described in Australian Patents 702164 and 578536.

(Ni A difficulty with earlier drop seals is that actuation of the door seals is from one side only, or if not then unevenly from both sides, the net result is that typically there is a sideways movement of the seal following the movement of the sideways actuation. This results in a gap beneath the door that is not sealed, and that can become important, for example, where it is desired to seal against noise, or against smoke or the like. A further difficulty associated with such mechanisms is that the seal can jam against the door frame which may lead to damage either to the door frame and door or at least to the drop seal.

If there is no jamming, abrasive rubbing of two adjacent parts may result in excessive wear, as the end portion of the lower seal member abrades against the channel within which it is held. A yet further difficulty associated with such mechanisms is that often it is necessary to take the downward extension of the drop seal to a maximum and fitters will leave off an escutcheon plate to give the reach needed without fouling up the mechanism. Lack of escutcheon plates is undesirable aesthetically, and can lead to undesirable collection of debris.

In dealing with such drop seals one factor to be borne in mind is that there is also a need of a magnification of movement, typically the requirement of movement of the actuator is in the order of a few millimetres whereas the drop seal member must drop considerably usually more than a centimetre.

It is an object of the present invention to provide an authomatc threshold seal that obviates, minimises or reduces any one of the above problems or at least provides the public with a useful choice.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 3 It has been found by the inventors that by providing a drop door seal being acted on for 0 z retraction and extension by a leaf spring that is mounted on either end to the door or conversely the drop seal, the mounts being coupled so that on lateral compression of one end the other end is compressed to the same extent, provides a simple means of providing a drop seal that drops vertically with minimal or inconsequential lateral drift.

Accordingly in a first broad form of a first aspect the invention might be said to reside in (Ni an automatic threshold seal for a door comprising a drop seal member extendible and retractable with respect to the bottom of the door, a leaf spring arrangement between the bottom of a door and a drop seal member biasing the drop seal member to a retracted position, mounts mounting the spring arrangement on either side to the door, said mounts being slidable toward and away from a centre of action of the spring arrangement, and the mounts being coupled by coupling means so that when one mount moves towards a centre of action of the spring arrangement the other also does so to the same extent, an actuation member positioned so that on closure of the door the actuation member urges one of the mounts to slide toward a centre of action of the spring arrangement.

In a second broad form of the first aspect the invention could be said to reside in an automatic threshold seal for a door, a drop seal member supported in a channel member, the channel member adapted to be fastened to a bottom portion of the door, the drop seal member slidable vertically between a retracted position and an extended position within a downwardly facing channel in the channel member, a leaf spring arrangement positioned between the channel member and the drop seal member, to bias the drop seal member to the retracted position, first and second mounts for mounting respectively a first and second end of the leaf spring arangement to the channel member, an actuation member operable to urge the first mount toward and away from a centre of action of the leaf spring arrangement, and coupling means to change the position of the second mount means to move the same distance toward the centre of action of the spring as the first mount, said movement of the first mount and second 4 mount thereby shortening the length of the leaf spring arrangement to extend vertically z and thereby urge the drop seal member toward the extended position.

Typically a channel member with a downwardly facing channel is fastened to the bottom of the and the drop seal member is supported within the channel. The channel member is _elongate, and, in order to provide the greatest sealing capacity, preferably extends for the total width of the door way and is thus elongate. Typically the channel member is (Ni N formed of an extrusion that can be factory finished to fixed lengths for standard door sizes, or it may be provided in lengths that can be cut to size by a fitter. A respective 10 escutcheon plate is preferably fitted to both open ends of the channel for aesthetic purposes and also to reduce the amount of grime that can accumulate within the channel.

The channel member may be configured to be mounted on the bottom of a door, and thus have a H shaped cross sectional profile. Alternatively, and preferably the channel member may be mounted on one side of the door for more universality of fit, thus not requiring several variations to accommodate a range of door thicknesses.

The drop seal member is dimensioned to fit closely inside the channel, and generally will have attached at an underside thereof an elongate deformable seal, typically of an elastomeric plastics, for example, neoprene. The deformable seal may be of tubular structure to allow for ready deformability on contact with the floor or other door threshold onto which it is urged. The seal is fastened to the drop seal member which together form a drop seal arrangement. The drop seal arrangement is urged by the leaf spring arrangement against the floor or threshold to provide a seal against a floor or threshold surface accommodating some unevennesses or sloping of the surface.

In a first form the leaf spring arrangement is a single leaf spring, with the first and second mount fastening a respective end of the spring at spaced apart mounting positions within the channel. A centre of the spring is fastened to the drop seal member, and in this form preferably at a centre of the drop seal member, to thus form a bow shaped leaf spring.

The leaf spring may have a flattened cross sectional profile to thereby provide stability as it flexes. Equally the spring may be made of another cross sectional shape, and may for example be rounded in the form of a wire. The spring is preferably made of a metal with z spring characteristics, for example, a spring steel. Alternatively the leaf spring may be _made of other suitable materials known in the art including plastics. Preferably the leaf spring is evenly spaced apart about a centre of the door, such that the centre of action of the spring is also at lateral centre of the door. In a second form two spring arrangements of the first form are provided but are spaced apart about a centre of the door, preferably equally spaced apart.

(Ni In a third form the leaf spring arrangement comprises two leaf springs each with a respective first end mounted to a first mount on the channel member and having a respective second end fastened, perhaps, by a respective second mount, to the drop seal member. Preferably for each of the springs a respective mount on the channel member and respective ends fastened to the drop seal member are equidistant from the centre of action of the spring to thereby provide for a generally vertical drop. This spring arrangement provides for a spaced apart action on the drop seal member and poses less risk of jamming the drop seal within the channel member. Alternatively in a fourth form two spring arrangements of the third form are provided and are evenly spaced apart about a lateral centre of the door.

The actuation member may comprise an actuation rod supported within the channel, a first end of which is acted on by the doorjamb on closure of the door, either by reason of the first end protruding from the door or the first end being coupled to, for example, a button protruding from the door seal which contacts the actuation rod on being depressed.

The actuation member is connected to or comprises a first mount of the leaf spring, so that on closure of the door the actuation member is urged inwardly by pressure from the door jamb or stop, thereby sliding the first mount and thus a first end of the spring inwardly toward the centre of action of the spring causing it to bow and urge the drop seal downwardly. It will be understood that the coupling means does likewise to the second mount of the spring arrangement.

6 In the case of the second and third embodiment of spring arrangement referred to above z the coupling means acts on the second actuation member and is connected to, or comprises, a first mount of the second spring arrangement.

The actuation of the door drop seal arrangement may be by contact with either of the _hinge side of the door jamb or the handle side of the door jamb, and sometimes both but not usually because contact is unlikely to be simultaneous and will lead to an irregular (Ni dropping of the door seal. Most typically contact is from the hinge side because this is usually more consistently positioned relative to the door jamb.

N The coupling means between the first and second mounts of the spring arrangement most conveniently comprises a pivotal member with respective first and second connectors connecting between the first and second mounts that may or may not comprise part of the actuation members and the pivotal member, the connection with the pivotal member being spaced apart from a pivot axis of the pivot member and on opposing sides thereof, most preferably equidistant therefrom. Thus once the first mount is slid for a given distance toward the centre of action of the spring, first connector acts on the pivot member, to rotate it for the given distance, the second connector is drawn the given distance in the opposite direction and pulls the second mount in the opposite direction for the given distance. Accordingly both sides of the spring arrangement are drawn toward the centre of action of the spring to the same extent.

Generally the movement of such drop door seals is preferred to be vertical. The term vertical in this specification is to be understood not necessarily in a precise mathematical sense but generally upwardly and downwardly, with a degree of lateral movement commensurate with the spacings of component parts and tolerances of manufacture prevalent in doors seals, to at least reduce jamming or alternatively to provide for an even descent or ascent of the drop seal. Thus the non vertical component of the movement (or lateral drift) is considered inconsequential to the working of the threshold seal. It may be desired that such movement is angled somewhat and accordingly it will be understood that the invention encompasses not only instances where both mounts are slidable in the opposing direction to an equal distance, but also where they are slidable to a differing 7 degree, to provide for a drop at an angle defined by the difference in sliding of the two z mounts. For ease of action it is preferred that the pivot axis of the pivotal member _extends at right angles to the direction of sliding of the actuator rod.

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It is also preferred that a drop seal tilt adjustor is provided, to adjust the tilt of the drop seal relative to the bottom of the door and/or channel member. In a preferred form the tilt adjustor is in the form of a means to lengthen or shorten the second actuation member, This may be achieved by providing the second actuation member as a first and second actuation member part, with a screw threaded adjustment of the distance between the two parts to thereby allow for adjustment of the overall length of the second actuation member. This arrangement provides for the capacity to adjust the tilt of the drop member by varying the length of the section actuation member as against a set length of the first actuation member and thereby vary the relative degree of vertical extension of the respective leaf spring or leaf spring arrangement actuated by the second action member.

Preferably also an extension adjustor is provided this adjusts the degree to which a button or the first actuation member extends out from an edge of the door and therefore the degree to which the first actuation member slides laterally of the door and as a consequence the extent to which the drops seal member drops relative to the bottom of the door. This adjustment is known in the art and typically where the threshold seal comprises a button, the button is threaded onto a screw threaded rod and a free end of the rod bears against the first actuation member, the effective degree to which the button extends from the side of the door can be varied by threading the button outward on the threaded rod or alternatively inwardly on the threaded rod. It will be understood that the adjustment thus provided is infinitely variable within the range of the screw threaded rod.

It will also be understood that in a second aspect the invention encompasses a door with the threshold seal of the first aspect fitted. Further aspects of the invention will also encompass a method of fitting a threshold seal of the first aspect to a door.

For the purposes of this specification the word "comprising" means "including but not limited to", and the word "comprises" has a corresponding meaning. Also a reference 8 within this specification to a document is not to be taken as an admission that the 0 z disclosure therein constitutes common general knowledge in Australia.

For a better understanding the invention will now be describe with reference to the drawing wherein, BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS ¢€3 Figure 1 is a schematic plan view of a first illustrated embodiment wherein the drop seal member is in a retracted position, C. Figure 2 is a schematic plan view of a first illustrated embodiment wherein the drop seal member is in its extended position, Figure 3 is a schematic plan view of a second illustrated embodiment, Figure 4 is a schematic plan view of a third illustrated embodiment, Figure 5 is a schematic plan view of a fourth illustrated embodiment, Figure 6 is a schematic plan view of a fifth illustrated embodiment, Figure 7 is a partial cut-away perspective view of the fifth illustrated embodiment, Figure 8 is a schematic illustration of a sixth illustrated embodiment of the coupling between the first and second mount of the spring to the channel member, with the spring in the retracted position, Figure 9 is a schematic illustration of the sixth illustrated embodiment of the coupling between the first and second mount of the spring to the channel member, with the spring in the extended position, 9 Figure 10 is a schematic illustration of a seventh illustrated embodiment showing 0 the drop seal in the retracted and extended positions, z Figure 11 is a perspective view of certain components of an eighth illustrated embodiment of this invention, Figure 12 is an end view of the eighth illustrated embodiment of the drop seal of this invention with the escutcheon plate removed,

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N 10 Figure 13 is a side view of the components shown in figure 11, Figure 14 is a top view of the components shown in figure 11, Figure 15 is a bottom view of the components shown in figure 11, and Figure 16 is a perspective detail of the coupling means of the eighth illustrated embodiment of this invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE ILLUSTRATED AND EXEMPLIED EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION The illustrated embodiments of the invention show an automatic threshold seal for a door comprising a channel member with a downwardly facing channel, having a drop seal member supported therein. A leaf spring arrangement operates between the channel and the drop seal member to extend and retract the drop seal member. The leaf spring arrangement is mounted by first and second mounts to the channel and thereby the door. One or more actuation members (10, 11) perhaps in the form of an actuator rod is positioned to extend outwardly of the door so that on closure of the door the actuation member slides laterally across and urges one of the mounts 7) to slide inwardly towards a centre of action (12) of the spring arrangement. A coupling means (15) connects between the first mount and second mount such that on inward movement of the first mount the second mount moves inwardly to the same extent but in the opposite direction. The reverse action of the coupling means can also apply.

0 z Figures 1 and 2 show the first illustrated embodiment of the invention in a schematic _format. This embodiment shows the leaf spring arrangement as a single leaf spring, the first and second mounts mounting free ends of the spring to the channel are equidistant from a centre of the channel, which coincides with a centre of action of the _spring The single leaf spring is generally bowed downwardly with a nadir (16) of the bow contacting the drop seal member and being fastened thereto, either by a (Ni fastener such as a screw, or by the passing under a rod or similar capturing means on the drop seal member, to thereby enable positive retraction of the drop seal member.

Two actuation members (10, 11) are provided operable from either end of the channel.

The actuation members comprises a flat rod, the single leaf spring is in the form of a wire, and the mounts 7) are simply apertures through the actuation member through which ends of the spring passes. It can be seen in the drawings that the actuation members extend further inwards from the mounts to also form part of coupling means Connectors (20, 21) connect an end part of the actuation members (10, 11) and pivotal member In this illustrated embodiment the connectors are rods with the ends bent laterally to pass through apertures in the actuation members and the pivotal member. The pivotal member is pivotal around a pivot axis (23) that extends at right angles to the direction of sliding of the actuation member, in figures 1 and 2 this extends orthogonal to the page. This connection means thus couples the sliding movement of mount with mount but in an opposite direction. The connectors connect to the pivotal member an equal distance from the pivot axis, which ensures that the degree to which the mounts slide is substantially identical. Similarly it can be seen that the pivot axis is aligned with the centre of action of the spring.

The threshold seal in figure 1 shows the drop seal in the retracted position with the actuators extended beyond the channel. On closure of the door, the actuator rods are pushed in, as shown in figure 2, this pushes mount inwardly toward the centre of action of the spring, at the same time coupling means transfers the inwardly sliding movement to mount to ensure that both mounts move toward the centre of action of the spring to the same degree. This compression of the length of the leaf spring means O 11 that it bows downwardly, thus extending vertically, to urge the drop seal member 0 z downwardly. It can be seen that the position of the pivoting member has changed from being angled to the vertical, to being aligned vertically under the influence of the actuator Retraction of the leaf spring is the reverse of the extension, in that as pressure on the actuator rod is released, the spring is again allowed to straighten out, and as such the drop (Ni N seal is drawn back into the channel member under the influence of the spring.

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The second embodiment shown in figure 3 comprises a different configuration of spring arrangement in a second illustrated embodiment of the invention. In place of a single leaf spring, the spring has effectively been made in two parts (25, 26). Upper free ends of the spring are mounted as in the first illustrated embodiment, but lower free ends (27, 28) of each of the spring parts are separately fastened to the drop seal member. It will be appreciated that whilst the centre of action of the spring is the same, the two lower free ends are considerably spaced apart to support the drop seal member more stably within the channel member Figure 4 shows a yet further configuration of spring arrangement in a third illustrated embodiment of the invention. Again the spring is made of two parts as in the second embodiment but the parts are considerably longer and overlap. This again provides greater stability of support for the drop seal member than in the first embodiment.

Figure 5 shows a yet further configuration of spring arrangement in a fourth illustrated embodiment of the invention. Two spring arrangements are shown each of the spring arrangements being spaced apart, and being configured largely as in the third embodiment, thereby providing a yet more stable support. It can be seen that instead of one coupling means this embodiment has two coupling means, and additionally a connecting actuation (30) positioned between the two coupling means (14) to transmit sliding movement therebetween.

12 Figures 6 and 7 show a somewhat more detailed illustration of a fifth illustrated z embodiment of the invention. As with the first illustrated embodiment the spring provided is a single leaf spring with two actuation members (10, 11) middle parts only of which are shown. A central portion (35, 36) of both of the actuation members is expanded and has an angled slot (37, 38) formed therein. The angle slot is pitched at 45 Pivotal member (22) is aligned horizontally when the actuator rods are extended, as shown in figure 6. End bosses (39, 40) on the pivotal member are captured within the (Ni slots, and are dimensioned to allow sliding along the slots. On sliding in the slots the bosses move within the slots as well as providing for some rotation. This minimises the amount of rotational movement relative to sliding movement of the actuators, and thus means that the pivotal member can be accommodated within a relatively modest groove within the channel member The spring in this embodiment can be seen to be flat in profile, and is mounted by first mount in the form of a mounting bracket on the lower surface of the expanded portion of the first actuation member The extent to which the spring expands and retracts can be seen in figure 6. Also shown in figure 6 in broken line is the drop seal in the extended position and the position of the spring when in the extended position, whereas the unbroken line shows the drop seal in the retracted position, and as indicated this particular configuration gives a drop of 15mm where the first and second actuation members (10, 11) move 3mm.

Figure 7 shows in more detail the manner in which the actuation members are fitted into the channel. It can be seen that an upper portion of the actuation members include an upper expanded portion (41) that rests on lands (42, 43) formed in an upper part of the channel. Similarly the pivotal member is pivotal on a pivot support member (44) that is supported in like manner to the actuators.

The seal member can be seen to be generally U shaped in cross section with a lower capturing groove (45) in which is supported an elastomeric seal (46) which can be seen to generally be tubular and has two radial fins which together facilitate accommodation of uneven floor surfaces.

13 Figures 8 and 9 show a sixth embodiment of a coupling means. Actuation rods (10, 11) z are connected with a respective slide member (46, 47) that are held in a respective guide (48, 49). A yoke (50) is coupled to both slide members capturing a respective pin (52, 53) within a respective slot (54, 55) of an arm of the yoke. The yoke further comprises a block (56) that is slidable within groove Guides (48, 49) and groove are fixed relative to the channel. It can be seen that if one or both of the actuation members slide sideways on contact with a door jamb that slides move inwardly along the guide, pulling (Ni the corresponding other slide within its guide to the same extent via the action of the yoke.

Figure 10 shows a seventh illustrated embodiment with a spring arrangement similar to that shown in figure 3. Thus the leaf spring is effective made in two parts (25, 26). The lower free ends (27, 28) of the spring are separately fastened to the drop seal member. It can be seen that the two parts of the springs are angled oppositely to that shown in figure 3, and thus further connectors (60, 61) connect respectively between actuation rod (11) and spring mount and actuation rod (10) and spring mount to provide an appropriate action on the spring. It can be seen in this embodiment that the connection by the spring parts to the drop seal member is more spaced apart than that shown in Figure 3 and accordingly provides more stability.

One advantage of the above embodiments of this invention is the capacity to be fitted to either a right handed or left handed door in a simple and effective manner, unlike many prior art door seals that require either removal of the internal assembly to reverse or replace the internal assembly, or the need to provide for a symmetrical shaped housing perhaps as an outer extrusion with attendant increased costs of anodisation or increase amounts of metal required. This benefit can be achieved because of the mechanism allowing the provision for actuation from either end.

Figures 11 to 17 show an eighth embodiment, figure 12 only, shows details of the channel member and drop seal member others of these figures do not show the channel and drop seal member for clarity of illustration.

14 As can be seen in figure 12 the channel member comprises a generally H shaped z extrusion, preferably of plastics but perhaps of aluminium. The upper part (70) of the channel member is open upwardly. An elongate cap (71) can be fitted over the top of the upper part to seal against ingress of debris. The uppermost part of the front wall (72) and rear wall (73) of the channel member comprises inwardly facing front and rear beads (74, that register in corresponding front and rear grooves (76, 77). Screw holes are formed at spaced apart locations through the upper part of the channel front wall, to allow (Ni for passage of screws (78) that can be screwed through the rear wall at aligned positions either through preformed holes or alternatively these can be formed with the use of self tapping screws that drill through the rear wall. A screw hole cap (79) is snap fit into place over the screw holes, for aesthetic reasons, and to further reduce the ingress of debris into the upper part of the channel. The lower part (80) of the channel member is separated from the upper part by a transverse web (81) thus forming a downwardly facing channel. Two inwardly projecting elongate lands (42, 43) divide the lower part into an upper actuator passage (82) along which the actuation member (10, 11) can pass and a drop seal pocket (83) in which the drop seal arrangement is accommodated.

The spring layout is similar to that shown in figure 3. The leaf spring is thus made in two parts consisting of first and second leaves (25, 26). Upper free ends (84, 85) of the two leaves of the springs are mounted respectively to first and second mounts 7).

The first mount is integral with the first actuation member (10) which is formed as a unitary upwardly open hollow brick. The first actuation member of this embodiment comprises two elongate side walls (86, 87), two end walls (88, 89) and a transverse wall (90) joining the two elongate wall at approximately a centre thereof all the walls being supported on a base One of the side walls (87) has a slot (92) cut therethrough from the top, and the base has a transverse slit (93) aligned with the slot. The free end (84) of the first leaf is bent back over itself so that it can be slid through the slot into the slit and thus be fitted into place. It will be appreciated when the assembly of the first actuation member and first spring are positioned within the actuation member passage, the first spring leaf is captured within the slit because it is unable to move transverse of the actuation member, being held in by the channel.

z The second mount consists of a first part (110) of the second actuation member (11).

The first part (110) comprise a solid plastic block and a first side, positioned at the same side of wall (87) of the first actuation member has a U shaped slit (93) formed therein.

The free end (85) of the second leaf is bent back over itself in like fashion to the first leaf _and can be slid into the U shaped slit (93) to be captured thereby.

(Ni N A respective lower free end (27, 28) of the first and second leaves is fastened to the drop seal member by a respective fastening block (94, 95). The fastening blocks can be screw N 10 fastened to the drop seal member, the leaf being positioned between the fastening block and the drop seal member to be clamped into place. The fastening block comprises a downwardly facing groove into which the lower free end of a respective leaf can be registered so that they can readily be properly positioned relative to the fastening block (best seen in figure The first actuation member is positioned adjacent the hinge portion of the door, and is connected with an actuator button The actuator button includes a bevelled contact face (97) and is position for contact with an adjacent doorjamb when the door is closed.

It will be appreciated that when extended part of the bevel is positioned away from the hinge of the door, that the bevel has the effect of delaying the dropping of the seal for the last moment. A central bore (98) is formed through the button and is screw threaded and is fitted over a screw (103). End wall (89) of the first actuation member comprises aperture (99) to accommodate the screw (103). A spring (100) is positioned over the screw within a first compartment (101) of the first actuator. A bolt (102) is fitted over the screw. As will be appreciated the spring bears against the inner face of end wall (89) and adjustment of the bolt can vary the tension on the spring, and therefore the degree to which the button is held against the first actuator. The distance to which the button extends away from the first actuation means (10) can be varied by screwing the button toward or away from the first actuation member a free end of the bolt bearing against transverse wall Thus the extent to which the first actuation member is pushed laterally on closing a door can be readily adjusted.

16 The second actuation member (11) comprises the first part (110) which acts as the second 0 z mount and also comprises a second part (111). The first and second part of the _second actuation member are spaced apart, and connected with adjusting screw (112).

The first part comprises a central bore which accommodates the screw shank but not the screw head. The second part is a brick with an upwardly facing hollow, the compartment _formed therein (113) has a boss (114) extending inwardly from an end wall (115) thereof.

The free end of the screw is passed through the boss. It will be understood that on (Ni turning the screw clockwise as shown in figure 11 Ithe two parts will be drawn together, and conversely turning the screw anticlockwise the two parts will be drawn apart. Thus the second actuation member can be lengthened or shortened. The adjusting screw (112) is readily accessible from an end of the channel as can be seen in figure 112, by removing the escutcheon plate (not shown) and turning the screw appropriately. The net effect of this adjustment is that the tilt of the drop seal member can be varied as desired, because the length of second actutaion member impacts on the degree to which the second leaf bows and thus is extended vertically relative to the first leaf.

The first and second actuation members (10, 11) are pivotably coupled by first and second connectors (20, 21) to a pivotable member details of which can perhaps best be seen in figure 16. The pivotable member takes the form of a disc which is pivotable about a pivot axis (23) and the plane in which it rotates being vertical and in line with the direction of movement of the actuation members. Thus the pivot axis is orthogonal to the direction of movement of the actuation members. The pivot axis is defined at the axial centre of the pivot shaft (120). The shaft is integrally formed out of one side wall (121) of the pivot support member (44) and the pivot member also comprises a central sleeve (122) that slides over the pivot shaft to provide for stable rotation thereabout. A second side wall (122) is removable but can be fitted into place as can be appreciated from figures 11 and 14. An internal side of the second side wall includes an upwardly facing pivot shaft support land, on which a free end of the pivot shaft is supported.

The disc includes two connector engaging bosses (123, 124 the latter not being shown) that are dimensioned to provide pivotal engagement with respective apertures (125, 126) formed on first ends of the first and second connectors. The bosses (123, 124) are evenly 17 spaced apart at diagonally opposite positions relative to the pivot axis (23) so that on z rotation of a first of the bosses a set distance in one direction results in rotation of the _second of the bosses for the same distance in an opposite direction. This means that sliding movement of the first actuator for a set distance in one direction will be translated to sliding movement of the second actuation for the set distance in the opposite direction, and this translates to a similar degree of vertical displacement for both of the leaves of the spring.

(Ni A second end of the connectors comprise a respective yoke (130, 131). A yoke engaging arrangement (132) extends from each of the actuation members toward the axial centre of the actuation passageway for pivotal engagement with a respective yoke. The yoke engaging means comprises two horizonatally spaced tabs (133, 134) extending orthogonally from an inwardly facing end wall of the actuation member, a first of the tabs (133) comprises a slot (135) open to the axial centre of the actuation passageway, a second of the tabs (134) comprises an aperture (136) dimensioned to allow for pivoting of the yoke therein. This arrangement allows for ready engagement between the connector and the actuation member.

It will be appreciated that for assembly the second wall of the pivot support member is removed, the pivot member is fitted over the pivot shaft, the connectors engaged with the respective bosses and the second side wall (122) is put into place.

The cross sectional profile of the first and second actuation members (11) and the pivot support member (44) is generally rectangular and as may best be seen in figure 12 is complementary to the cross sectional shape of the actuator passage way (82) so that they can readily be slid along the passageway supported by lands (42, 43).

Claims (14)

1. 2. The automatic threshold seal of claim 1 wherein the drop seal member is supported within a downwardly facing channel which channel is adapted to be attached to a bottom part of the door.
2. 3. An automatic threshold seal for a door, comprising a drop seal member supported in a channel member, the channel member adapted to be fastened to a bottom portion of the door, the drop seal member moveable vertically between a retracted position and an extended position within a downwardly facing channel in the channel member, a leaf spring arrangement positioned between the channel member and the drop seal member, to bias the drop seal member to the retracted position, first and second mounts for mounting respectively a first and second end of the leaf spring arangement to the channel member, a first actuation member operable to urge the first mount toward and away from a centre of action of the leaf spring arrangement, and coupling means to change the position of the second mount means to move the same distance toward the centre of action of the spring as the first mount, said movement of the first mount and second mount thereby shortening the length of the leaf spring arrangement to extend vertically and thereby urge the drop seal member toward the extended position. 19
3. 4. The automatic threshold seal of either claim 2 or 3 wherein the drop seal member is dimensioned to fit closely inside the channel and has attached at an underside thereto an elongate deformable seal. The automatic threshold seal of any one of claims 2, 3 or 4 wherein the drop seal member arrangement is urged by the leaf spring arrangement against the floor or threshold to provide a seal.
4. 6. The automatic threshold seal of any one of claims 2 to 5 wherein the leaf spring arrangement is a single leaf spring, with the first and second mount fastening a respective end of the spring at spaced apart mounting positions within the channel.
5. 7. The automatic threshold seal of claim 6 wherein a centre of the spring is fastened to the drop seal member at a centre of the drop seal member.
6. 8. The automatic threshold seal of claim 7 wherein the leaf spring is evenly spaced apart about a centre of the door, such that the centre of action of the spring is also at lateral centre of the door.
7. 9. The automatic threshold seal of any one of claims 2 to 5 wherein the leaf spring arrangement comprises two leaf springs each with a first end mounted respectively by the first and second mount on the channel member and having a respective second end fastened to the drop seal member. The automatic threshold seal of claims 9 wherein for each of the springs the respective mount on the channel member are equidistant from the centre of action of the spring and respective ends fastened to the drop seal member are equidistant from the centre of action of the spring to thereby provide for a generally vertical drop.
8. 11. The automatic threshold seal of either claims 9 or 10 wherein the first actuation 0 z member is connected to or comprises a first mount of the leaf spring, so that on closure of _the door the first actuation member is urged inwardly by pressure from the door jamb, thereby sliding the first mount and thus a first end of the spring inwardly toward the centre of action of the spring causing it to bow and urge the drop seal downwardly, said _coupling means acting likewise on the second mount of the second spring arrangement. N 12. The automatic threshold seal of any one of claims 9 to 11 wherein the coupling r- means acts on a second actuation member connected to, or comprising, the second mount. N
9. 13. The automatic threshold seal of any one of claims 9 to 11 wherein the coupling means between the first and second mounts of the spring arrangement comprises a pivotal member with respective first and second connectors connecting between the first and second mounts and the pivotal member, said first and second connectors pivotably engaged with the pivotal member the engagement spaced apart from a pivot axis of the pivot member and on opposing sides thereof, being equidistant therefrom.
10. 14. The automatic threshold seal of claim 13 wherein the pivot axis of the pivotal member extends at right angles to the direction of sliding of the actuator member. The automatic threshold seal of any one of claims 1 to 14 comprising a drop seal tilt adjustor to adjust the tilt of the drop seal relative to the bottom of the door and/or channel member.
11. 16. The automatic threshold seal of claim 12 comprising a drop seal tilt adjustor to adjust the tilt of the drop seal relative to the bottom of the door and/or channel member and the tilt adjustor is in the form of a means to lengthen or shorten the first or second actuation member.
12. 17. The automatic threshold seal of claim 16 wherein the second actuation member has a first and second actuation member part, with a screw threaded adjustment of the 21 distance between the two parts to thereby allow for adjustment of the overall length of the z second actuation member.
13. 18. The automatic threshold seal of any one of claims 2 to 17 further comprising an extension adjustor for adjusting the extent to which a button or the first actuation member extends out from an edge of the door and therefore the degree to which the first actuation member slides laterally of the door. e¢3
14. 19. The automatic threshold seal of any one of the preceding claims wherein the leaf C, 10 spring has a flattened cross sectional profile.