FIELD

The invention relates to a threshold struc- ture as defined in claim 1 .

BACKGROUND

Di f ferent kinds of threshold structures are known in the prior art . Some of the known thresholds are fitted and fixed in place after floor casting, and some of the thresholds are fitted and fixed in place in connection with floor casting .

PURPOSE

The purpose of the invention is to disclose a new type of ready-made threshold structure . Further, the purpose of the invention is to disclose a preformed threshold structure that may be fitted and fixed in place in connection with floor casting . Further, the purpose of the invention is to disclose a ready-made threshold structure that is easily manufacturable and transportable . Further, the purpose of the invention is to disclose a ready-made threshold structure that is packageable in a small space after manufacture and for transportation .

SUMMARY

The threshold structure according to the invention is characteri zed by what is stated in the claims .

The threshold structure comprises at least an elongate structure , an elongate space arranged within the elongate structure , an insulator arranged in the elongate space , at least one tie part to enable fixing of the threshold structure to a surrounding structure , and a j oining means for j oining the tie part to the threshold structure .

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The threshold structure comprises at least one elongate structure and an elongate space arranged within the elongate structure . Further, the threshold structure comprises an insulator arranged in the elongate space arranged within the elongate structure , and at least one tie part to enable fixing of the threshold structure to a surrounding structure , e . g . in connection with casting, and at least one j oining means for j oining the tie part to an exterior face of a side wall of the elongated structure of the threshold structure .

In this connection, an elongate structure means a structure of the threshold structure . Speci fically, the elongate structure refers at least to an innermost structure of the threshold structure , i f the threshold structure comprises at least two elongate structural parts placed one over the other . The threshold structure may comprise an interior part and an exterior part as the elongate structural parts placed one over the other .

In one embodiment the threshold structure comprises at least one elongate exterior part arranged outside the elongate structure at a distance from the elongate structure , such as the interior part , to form at least one channel between the elongate structure and the exterior part , such as between the interior part and the exterior part of the threshold structure .

The threshold structure comprises at least one elongate interior part formed from an elongate U- profile strip comprising a U-shaped cross-sectional profile to form the elongate structure and the elongate space arranged within the elongate structure such that the U-profile strip has been arranged, such as turned, to open downward and the continuous middle face of the U-profile strip forms a step part of the threshold structure . In one embodiment the threshold structure comprises at least one elongate exterior part arranged outside the interior part at a distance from the interior part to form at least one channel between the interior part and the exterior part .

In one embodiment the threshold structure comprises two elongate exterior parts arranged outside the elongate structure at a distance from the interior part and formed from elongate angle-profile strips , e . g . L-profile strips , and arranged outside the interior part at a distance from the interior part to form two channels between the interior part and the exterior part in elongate side walls of the threshold structure .

In one embodiment the interior part and the exterior part of the threshold structure have been arranged one inside the other such that a profile strip forming the interior part has been arranged to open downward and a profile strip forming the exterior part has been arranged to open upward, i . e . oppositely to the interior part .

In one embodiment the threshold structure comprises two exterior parts formed from elongate angle-profile strips and arranged outside the interior part at a distance from the interior part to form two channels between the interior part and the exterior part in elongate side walls of the threshold structure , and at least a gap has been arranged between the exterior parts in that part of the threshold structure which is in alignment with the open side of the U- profile strip of the interior part .

In one embodiment the threshold structure comprises an elongate interior part and exterior part arranged one inside the other, the interior part formed from an elongate U-profile strip comprising a U-shaped cross-sectional profile and the exterior part formed from an elongate profile strip having a predetermined cross-sectional profile, and the exterior part has been arranged outside the interior part at a distance from the interior part to form at least two channels between the interior part and the exterior part in elongate sides of the threshold structure .

In one embodiment the exterior part of the threshold structure has been formed from a profile strip that is partly open from one side , comprising a predetermined profile such that the partly open side of the exterior part is in alignment with the open side of the U-profile strip of the interior part , and the continuous middle faces of the interior part and the exterior part have been arranged one over the other and j oined together to form the step part of the threshold structure, and the exterior part has been arranged outside the interior part at a distance from the interior part to form at least two channels between the interior part and the exterior part in elongate sides of the threshold structure .

In this connection, a profile strip means any elongated strip having a predetermined cross-sectional profile . The wall thickness of the strip may vary according to the intended use . The profile strip may have been formed from any material suitable for the intended use . In one embodiment the profile strip has been formed from metal . In one embodiment the profile strip has been formed from stainless steel .

In one embodiment the elongate structure, the interior part and/or the exterior part have been formed from metal . In one embodiment the elongate structure , the interior part and/or the exterior part have been formed from stainless steel . In one embodiment the elongate structure has been formed from stainless steel . In one embodiment the interior part and the exterior part have been formed from stainless steel . The tie part may have been shaped in a desired manner to arrange the fixing of the threshold structure to a surrounding structure. In one embodiment the tie part comprises at least two rods oriented in different directions. Alternatively the tie part may comprise more rods oriented in different directions. In one embodiment the tie part has been formed from metal. In one embodiment the tie part has been formed from steel, e.g. rebar.

In one embodiment the joining means comprises at least one threaded rod and at least one nut for providing a nut joint, and the threaded rod of the joining means has been led through the side wall of at least one elongate structure, e.g. through the side wall of the exterior part, and the nut joint for joining the tie part to the threaded rod of the joining means has been arranged at the exterior face of the side wall of the elongate structure of the threshold structure, e.g. outside the side wall of the exterior part. In one embodiment the threaded rod of the joining means has been led at least through the side wall of the exterior part and the interior part, and the nut joint for joining the tie part has been arranged on the outer side of the side wall of the exterior part.

In one embodiment the threshold structure comprises more than one tie part, and the tie parts have been arranged on one side of the threshold structure. Alternatively, tie parts may have been arranged on both sides of the threshold structure.

In one embodiment the insulator of the elongated space has been formed from a urethane insulator. In one embodiment the urethane insulator is polyurethane foam, polyurethane panel or a combination thereof. Alternatively, other insulator material suitable for the intended use may be used in the elongated space . In one embodiment the insulator of the elongated space is in direct connection with an insulator of a surrounding structure e . g . through a gap in the base of the threshold structure , i . e . the insulator space continues unbrokenly from the surrounding structure to the threshold structure . Thereby the formation of a cold bridge may be prevented . The cold bridge prevents the installation of a hydronic underfloor heating system in the vicinity of an exterior door opening, and the cold bridge causes thermal loss .

In one embodiment the channel between the elongate exterior part and the elongate structure, such as the channel between the exterior part and the interior part, has been filled with an insulator . The insulator used in the channel may be of the same insulator material as the insulator material used in the elongate space . Alternatively, other insulator material suitable for the intended use may be used in the channel . In one embodiment , elastic paste may have been provided at the open upper end of the channel to close the upper end of the channel either in the threshold structure manufacturing stage or alternatively in the installation stage .

In one embodiment the threshold structure comprises at least one sealing strip for arranging the channel between the elongate exterior part and the elongate structure, such as the channel between the exterior part and the interior part , to form a closed space . In one embodiment the sealing strip has been arranged to cover the open upper parts of the channel or channels . In one embodiment the sealing strip has been arranged to cover the step part of the threshold structure . The sealing strip used may be any sealing strip suitable for the intended use withstanding the loads from use of the threshold structure . In one embodiment the sealing strip is formed from an elastic paste, element paste or the like . The sealing strip may be ar- ranged and/or joined over the threshold structure. The sealing strip may be fixed to the threshold structure, e.g. to the elongate structure, the interior structure and/or the exterior structure thereof, in a suitable manner, e.g. by means of paste, by gluing, by screwing or by other suitable fixing method.

In one embodiment the threshold structure comprises at least one height adjustment means for adjusting the threshold structure to a desired level. Thereby the installation of the threshold structure to a correct level and height may be facilitated. In one embodiment the height adjustment means comprise a retaining strip joined transversely under the elongate structure, two threaded rods led through the retaining strip, e.g. one at each end of the retaining strip, and nuts for fixing the threaded rods to a desired level in connection with the retaining strip.

The threshold structure may be formed into a long continuous structure, and from this elongate continuous structure a threshold structure of a desired length in accordance with the intended use may be cut either in connection with manufacture of the threshold structure or in connection with installation. The threshold structure may be formed to a desired size and length. The measures of the threshold structure, e.g. the length, width and thickness, may vary according to the intended use.

The threshold structure according to the invention may be used in any door opening in a desired space, building and/or other corresponding location either indoors or in connection with a structure between indoors and outdoors, as well as in different combinations thereof. A possible sheet metal threshold plate is also easily installable in connection with the threshold structure, e.g. by fitting an end of the threshold plate between the exterior part and the interior part of the threshold structure. A ready-made threshold structure may be easily formed by means of the structure according to the invention . The threshold structure may be manufactured in advance , transported to the installation site while being packed in a small space , assembled on the installation site and installed to a desired location easily and quickly . Thus , thanks to the threshold structure described herein, the installation of thresholds at any installation site may be facilitated and quickened . Further, thanks to the invention, an insulated threshold structure , i . e . a thermothreshold, is provided .

The threshold structure according to the invention may be produced easily and cost ef ficiently . The proposed threshold structure is easily installable , and it may be used in all spaces and conditions . The installation of the threshold structure can also be done by a non-prof essional .

LIST OF THE FIGURES

Fig . 1 shows one threshold structure according to the invention as a cross-sectional view, and

Fig . 2 shows the threshold structure according to Fig . 1 as seen from the side .

EXAMPLES

The invention will now be described by means of a detailed example of an embodiment with reference to the accompanying figures .

The threshold structure according to Fig . 1 and 2 comprises an elongate structure ( 11 ) and an elongate space ( 12 ) arranged within the elongate structure . The elongate structure comprises an interior part ( 1 ) formed from an elongate U-profile strip comprising a U-shaped cross-sectional profile . The U-profile strip has been turned to open downward and the continuous middle face of the U-profile strip forms a step part (15) of the threshold structure. Further, the structure comprises an elongate exterior part (2) arranged outside the interior part at a distance from the interior part. The exterior part has been formed from two elongate angle-profile strips, such as L-profile strips, arranged outside the interior part at a distance from the interior part to form two channels (16) between the interior part and the exterior part in elongate side walls of the threshold structure. A gap (17) has been arranged between the exterior parts in that part of the threshold structure which is in alignment with the open side of the U-profile strip of the interior part. The U-profile strip and the angle-profile strips have been formed from stainless steel.

Further, the threshold structure comprises a urethane insulator (13) , which is in this embodiment polyurethane foam and has been arranged in the elongate space (12) arranged within the elongate structure. Further, the channel (16) between the exterior part (2) and the interior part (1) has been filled with a urethane insulator (9) , which is in this embodiment of the same insulator material as the insulator (13) in the elongate space (12) .

Further, the threshold structure comprises a sealing strip (10) for arranging the channel (16) between the exterior part (2) and the interior part (1) to form a closed space. In this threshold structure, the sealing strip has been formed from an elastic joint sealing paste.

Further, the threshold structure comprises several tie parts (7) to enable fixing of the threshold structure to a surrounding structure, e.g. in connection with casting, and joining means (3,8) for joining the tie parts to the exterior face of a side wall of one exterior part of the elongate structure of the threshold structure such that the tie parts are set on one side of the threshold structure. Each tie part (7) comprises two rods oriented in different directions, formed from rebar. Each joining means comprises at least a threaded rod (3) and an extension nut (8) for providing a nut joint. The threaded rod (3) of the joining means has been led through the side walls of both of the exterior part (2) and the interior part (1) , and the nut joint for joining the tie part to the threaded rod of the joining means has been arranged on the outer side of the side wall of the exterior part. Further, other nuts (18) , e.g. hexagonal nuts, have been arranged onto the threaded rod (3) in connection with the walls of the exterior and the interior parts to join the threaded rod firmly to the threshold structure, and thus to join the tie parts (7) firmly to the threshold structure.

Further, the threshold structure comprises height adjustment means (14) for adjusting the threshold structure to a desired level to facilitate the installation of the threshold structure. The height adjustment means (14) comprise a retaining strip (6) joined transversely under the elongate structure (11) , two threaded rods (4) led through the retaining strip, and nuts (5) for fixing the threaded rods to a desired level in connection with the retaining strip. The threaded rods (4) led through the retaining strip have been arranged such that one threaded rod is provided at each end of the retaining strip (6) .

The thermal performance of the threshold structure according to the figures was tested in tests, and the results were compared to results obtained with a reference threshold. The reference threshold was a conventional simple angle iron placed in the casting, i.e. a normal threshold structure without an insulator structure within the cast floor, such that one flange of the angle iron is embedded in the casting and the other flange becomes a flat threshold strip of a door opening . The measures of each threshold with concrete were the same , i . e . a length of 88 cm, a width of 40 cm and a thickness of 8 cm. The ambient conditions , such as temperature, relative humidity and pressure dif ference, were kept similar in the tests for both thresholds . The tested thresholds were installed one at a time on di fferent days in a door opening of an environmental room, and the door opening above the threshold was insulated . After the conditions and structures had stabilized, the thresholds were subj ected to thermal imaging which is typically used for the thermal imaging of structures when examining the condition and quality of the structures , and the values of the thermocouples connected to the thresholds were stored . The temperatures in the tests were -5 °C in the environmental room and 20 °C on the other side of the door, the relative humidity was in the range of 30 - 40 % and the pressure dif ference was -l OPa (pascal ) . In the tests it was observed that after a period of about 8 hours , the temperature of the threshold according to the figures on the warmer side was 14 . 6 °C and the temperature of the reference threshold was 3 . 0 °C . It was found that in terms of thermal performance , the present threshold functions signi ficantly better than the reference threshold .

The threshold structure according to the invention is suitable in the form of di f ferent embodiments for use in a wide variety of applications .

The invention is not limited solely to the examples presented above ; instead, many modi fications are possible within the scope of the inventive idea defined by the claims .