Door assembly including simplified insert supporting means

Abstract

A door assembly includes a pair of panels having portions arranged in spaced relation to each other, and which portions surround an opening in the door. One of the panels supports a removable insert behind the opening and a weatherproofing gasket is arranged in the space between the panel portions and adjacent the insert for providing a simplified yet decorative door assembly.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. In a door of the type including front and rear panels having corresponding portions surrounding a substantially rectangular opening and a space between said panel portions, the improvement comprising: an insert supported on the rear panel behind the opening and behind the space between the corresponding panel portions includes top, bottom and a pair of side members, each of said members having a section including a pair of parallel, longitudinally extending legs in spaced relation to each other and separated by a member normal to the legs and near corresponding ends thereof, one of the legs adjacent the rear panel, each of the legs carrying means which divides said legs into first and second portions, the first portions of the legs and the dividing means cooperating to form a first channel, and the second portions of the legs and the dividing means and separating member cooperating to form a second channel; and   a gasket arranged in the space, the gasket following the perimeter of the corresponding panel portions and being adjacent the insert.   
     
     
       2. A door as described by claim 1, wherein: the corresponding panel portions surrounding the opening have decorative edges; and   the gasket follows the perimeter of the decorative edges.   
     
     
       3. A door as described by claim 2, wherein: the decorative edges have inwardly extending lips; and   the gasket is captured between the lips.   
     
     
       4. A door as described by claim 3, wherein: the gasket has a first portion which is captured between the lips, a second portion which is adjacent the front panel portion edge and a third portion which extends beyond the rear panel portion edge and is adjacent the insert.   
     
     
       5. A door as described by claim 1, including: an insert panel supported in the first channel.   
     
     
       6. A door as described by claim 1, including: the second channel retaining means for rigidly affixing each of the top, bottom and side members to an adjacent member.   
     
     
       7. A door as described by claim 1, wherein: the corresponding portions of the front and rear panels surrounding the opening have inwardly extending curvelinear members terminating in longitudinally extending end members; and   the one insert section leg is disposed just beyond the curvelinear member and adjacent the longitudinally extending end member of the rear panel portions.   
     
     
       8. A door as described by claim 7, including: an insert panel supported in the first channel and extending beyond the front and rear panel portion end members; and   the gasket arranged in the space between the end members, said gasket following the perimeter of said end members and being adjacent the insert panel.   
     
     
       9. In a door of the type including front and rear panels having corresponding portions surrounding a substantially rectangular opening and a space between the panel portions, an insert supported on the rear panel behind the opening and behind the space between the corresponding panel portions including top, bottom and a pair of side members, each of the members having a section comprising: a pair of parallel, longitudinally extending legs in spaced relation to each other and separated by a member near corresponding ends of the legs for forming a first channel, one of the legs disposed adjacent the rear panel, and means associated with the legs near the other ends thereof and cooperating with the separating member for forming a second channel; and   a gasket arranged in the space, the gasket following the perimeter of the corresponding panel portions and being adjacent the insert.   
     
     
       10. A door as described by claim 9, including: an insert panel supported in the first channel.   
     
     
       11. A door as described by claim 9, including: the second channel retaining means for rigidly affixing each of the top, bottom and side members to an adjacent member.   
     
     
       12. A door as described by claim 9, wherein: the corresponding portions of the front and rear panels surrounding the opening have inwardly extending inclined members terminating in longitudinally extending end members;   the one insert section leg disposed adjacent the longitudinally extending end member of the rear panel portion and adjacent the end of the incline; and   the other insert section leg being longer than the one leg and disposed adjacent the beginning of the incline.   
     
     
       13. A door as described by claim 12, including: an insert panel supported in the first channel and extending beyond the front and rear panel portion end members; and   the gasket arranged in the space between the end members, said gasket following the perimeter of said end members and being adjacent the insert panel.   
     
     
       14. A door as described by claim 7, including: means affixed to the end member of the front panel portion and extending through said member, and extending through the end member of the rear panel portion and through the first channel for securing the insert with the one insert section leg disposed just beyond the curvelinear member and adjacent the end member of the rear panel portion.   
     
     
       15. A door as described by claim 12, including: means affixed to the end member of the front panel portion and extending through said member, and extending through the end member of the rear panel portion and through the first channel for securing the insert with the one insert section leg disposed adjacent the rear panel end member and adjacent the end of the incline and the other insert section leg disposed adjacent the beginning of the incline. .Iadd. 16. A door as described by claim 1, wherein:   the perimeter of each of the corresponding panel portions defining the opening has an inwardly extending lip and the gasket is captured between the lips of said panel portions. .Iaddend..Iadd. 17. A door as described by claim 16, wherein:   the gasket has a first portion which is captured between the lips, a second portion which is adjacent the front panel portion perimeter, and a third portion which extends beyond the rear panel portion perimeter for sealing contact with the insert. .Iaddend..Iadd. 18. A door as described by claim 1, wherein:   the panels are one piece panels; and   the corresponding panel portions surrounding the opening are provided in the upper parts of the one piece panels and the lower parts thereof have areas which serve as kickplates. .Iaddend..Iadd. 19. A door as described by claim 18, wherein:   the kickplate areas in the lower parts of the one piece panels carry designs. .Iaddend..Iadd. 20. A door as described by claim 19, wherein:   the designs are embossed in the kickplate areas of the one piece panels. .Iaddend..Iadd. 21. A door as described by claim 19, wherein:   the designs are secured to the kickplate areas of the one piece panels..Iaddend.