Door Assembly and Method of Making Same (Stainless Steel Sliding Door)
The present invention is directed to a door panel preferably for a sliding door assembly. The door panel includes an inner frame and a sheet stock substantially covering the inner frame. The inner frame includes a geometry that cooperates with a geometry of a door accessory for operable connection of the door accessory directly to the inner frame
1 - 65 . (canceled)
66 . An inner frame for a door panel of a slidable door system, the inner frame being constructed of a plurality of frame members cut from a single extruded member, the frame members having a length, a first side, and a second side, at least one of either a first protrusion or a first receptacle formed in at least one of the first and second sides, the first protrusion or first receptacle being located and dimensioned to cooperate with an accessory connected to the inner door frame, the accessory including a mating receptacle or protrusion.
67 . The plurality frame members of claim 66 each including a second protrusion or second receptacle being different from the first protrusion or first receptacle, respectively.
68 . The inner frame of claim 66 wherein the second protrusion or second receptacle cooperating with a gasket for a transparent member of a window assembly.
69 . The extruded member claim 66 further including a tube defined axially therein, the tube facilitating an operable connection between a pair of frame members.
70 . The inner frame of claim 66 including a sheet stock substantially covering the plurality frame members.
71 . The inner frame of claim 70 wherein the sheet stock is a semi-rigid material.
72 . The inner frame of claim 70 wherein the sheet stock is a metal.
73 . The inner frame of claim 70 wherein the sheet stock is stainless steel.
74 . The inner frame of claim 70 wherein the each of the plurality of frame members include outer face surfaces and outer edge surfaces and the sheet stock overlaps the outer face surfaces of the plurality of frame members and at least a portion of the outer edge surfaces of at least a portion of the plurality of frame members.