IES980808A2

IES980808A2 - A frame

Info

Publication number: IES980808A2
Application number: IE19980808A
Authority: IE
Inventors: Brendan Mcgeever
Original assignee: Brendan Mcgeever
Priority date: 1998-09-30
Filing date: 1998-09-30
Publication date: 2000-04-05
Also published as: GB2342378A; IE990813A1; GB9923094D0

Abstract

A frame is formed for receiving a door or window and comprises a number of vertical support struts (1) and an inter-engaging horizontal lintel (8), wherein each strut (1) and lintel (8) comprises a roll formed metal channel section. The struts (1) and lintel (8) engage about a mitre joint with the struts (1) having tongues (16) and tabs (9) and the lintel (8) providing receiving apertures (14,17). The support struts (1) include a number of slots (12) for receiving hinges (11) and have a number of pre-punched frangible portions for housing lock keepers and can be used in conjunction with double or single brick walls or studded walls. The frame is for use in the building industry to overcome the non-adaptability of existing frames and the difficulty associated with locating locks or hinges at the appropriate locations.

Description

A FRAME IE 9 8 08 Ο 8 !Λ The present invention relates to a frame and more particularly to a frame for use in the building industry.

A variety of building frames are known and are most commonly used for mounting doors or windows in wall openings. These frames are normally assembled off-site in materials such as wood, metal or PVC and transported to their final destination in a van or truck.

While known frames are highly suited to standard installations where variations in door size and thickness do not exist they are not readily modified to non-standard requirements. For example if for some reason the door opening left by a builder is fractionally too large a great deal of plaster is required to bridge the gap between the wall and the frame. Another problem arises when mounting the frames in situations where there are variations in wall thickness. Modifications to standard frame sizes often prove difficult and time-consuming even for skilled craftsmen. While such modifications may be economically feasible for large-scale applications such as a housing development they are of little use in bespoke applications. In addition to the obvious non-adaptability of existing frames, locating locks or hinges at the appropriate locations on the frame is often problematic. Additionally the cost of transportation frequently contributes a disproportionately large element of the total cost.

The object of the present invention is to provide a frame, which will overcome the aforementioned problems.

Accordingly there is provided a frame comprising a plurality of interengageable struts for mounting within a wall opening, the struts being formed for receiving a door or window. By providing the frame in this way where the struts can be assembled on-site transport costs are significantly reduced. __ j OPENTQ PUBLIC INSPECTION IE9 8 08 0 8 Preferably a pair of substantially vertical support struts and a substantially horizontal head strut form the frame the support and head struts being formed for rigid interengagement within a wall opening. Thus, a door frame may be provided by the relatively simple expedient of attaching the support struts to the wall on either side of the opening and attaching the head strut to the supports and to a top edge of the opening.

In one arrangement the support struts and the head strut are mitred to ensure a secure engagement.

Ideally the support strut incorporates locating means to ensure that the head strut is accurately and securely connected to the support strut within the opening.

Preferably the struts are of substantially similar cross section thereby allowing the various struts of the frame to be cut from a single length of strut material. In this way the frame may be easily modified on-site to meet specific requirements. As the number of component parts is reduced a stock of material may be easily stored and transportation requires only the movement of single lengths of strut material.

Ideally the frame comprises a number of struts, each strut being provided by a roll formed metal section beneficially reducing production times and cost.

In one arrangement the strut is produced as a channel section roll formed metal member.

In a preferred embodiment the frame incorporates a doorstop. This may be easily included by defining the stop in the strut.

Preferably the doorstop is provided intermediate the ends of the back of the C-section.

In one arrangement the doorstop incorporates one or more buffers to reduce noise and prevent damage to a door or window mounted in the frame. ΙΕ θ 8 fl 8 0 8 Advantageously the metal members are fireproof.

Additionally the hinges can be provided in place.

Beneficially the number and location of lock keepers is variable. For example where the strut is provided as a roll metal channel section member the strut can be punched at a preset interval. This will provide weakened areas, which may be easily removed to receive the lock keepers.

Additionally the frame is adaptable for location within a stud wall. Where appropriate metal struts are treated to prevent rust or corrosion. Conveniently the frame can be provided with a door already installed.

The invention will be more clearly understood from the following description of some embodiments thereof given by way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:-.

Figure la is a perspective view of a support strut; Figure lb is a perspective view of a head strut; Figure 2a is a perspective view of an accompanying support strut; Figure 2b is a perspective view of temporary spreader bars; Figure 2c is a perspective view of a butt hinge; Figure 3 is a perspective view of a mitre assembly; Figure 4a is a plan sectional view of a single brick wall and the support strut of Figure 1; IE 9 8 0 β 0 8 Figure 4b is a plan sectional view of a double brick wall and a side member; Figure 5a is a plan view of a striker plate; Figure 5b is a side view of the striker plate; Figure 5c is a plan view of a mitre join tag; Figure 5d is a plan view of a lock pocket; Figures 6a to 6c are plan views of various support struts; and Figure 7 is a plan view of another support strut forming part of the frame in accordance with the invention.

Referring to the drawings and initially to Figure la there is shown a vertical roll formed metal channel section support stmt indicated generally by the reference numeral 1, forming part of a frame in accordance with the invention.

The support stmt 1 has a doorstop 2 against which a door (not shown) rests when in the closed position. The doorstop 2 is provided by a raised section intermediate the ends of the back of the channel section of the support stmt 1. The doorstop 2 further defines two holes 3 each hole 3 being formed to receive a rubber buffer 4. The buffers 4 reduce the noise when closing the door and also prevent damage to the door.

The support stmt 1 also defines a lock recess aperture for receiving a lock pocket 5 and a striker plate 6. The lock pocket 5 and the striker plate 6 are mounted on the support stmt 1 using self-taping screws 7. It will be appreciated that punching out a weakened portion of the support 1 may provide the aperture. Thus in certain applications a number of weakened portions may be provided and the aperture be created at an appropriate location.

IE 9 8 0 8 0 8 The support strut 1 also has a locating means for positioning a substantially horizontal head strut 8 provided in this case by two spot welded tags 9, the tags 9 each having an upwardly extending interengagement tab 15 and two locating tongues 16.

Referring now to figures 2a to 2c there is illustrated an accompanying support strut to the support strut 1 indicated generally by the numeral 10. The support strut 10 defines hinge slots 12 for receiving butt hinges 11 which are spot welded in position.

Figure 2b shows two temporary spreader bars 13 required during transportation and installation to separate the supports 1 and 10. The support 10 also has two spot welded tags 9 for locating the head strut 8. Each of the tags 9 has an upwardly extending interengagement tab 15.

Referring now in particular to figure 3 the head strut 8 defines two support receiving apertures 14 and two tongue-receiving holes 17.

In use the support strut 1 is fixed to a side of the door or window opening. The mitred end of the head strut 8 is then moved into proximity to the support strut 1. The head strut 8 is located in position by engaging the apertures 14 and the two tongue receiving holes 17 of the head strut 8 with the corresponding formations namely the tabs 15 and the tongues 16 respectively of the support strut 1.

Referring now to figures 4a and 4b the support strut 1 or 10 is attached to a brick wall 18 using a brick tie 19. As shown in the figures the frame can be mounted to either a single or double wall. In order to give the frame extra strength a user can fill a doorframe cavity 20 defined by the support 1,10 with cement and a plaster render 21 forms a V-junction 22 with the support 1,10.

Referring to figures 5a to 5d, the striker plate 6 is shown in detail. The plate 6 is manufactured from 1mm stainless steel and defines a centre hole 23 to receive a latch (not IE9S 08 0 8 shown) and two countersunk holes 24 for receiving two self-tapping screws 7. The striker plate 6 has an angled lip 25 to facilitate operation of the latch. The lock pocket 5 has a lock housing 26 and has two countersunk holes for receiving self-tapping screws 7. Figure 5 c shows the tag 9 in detail.

Figures 6a to 6c illustrate alternative embodiments of the support strut 1 in accordance with the current invention. All three are symmetrical about a centre line, and have a general Csection configuration.

In each embodiment a C-section central web 27 defines a doorstop 2 symmetrical about the centre line. An outside face 29, of flanges 30 the doorstop 2 provide the stopping surface for the door.

Referring to figure 6b the C-section has two slots 31 to house hinges.

It will of course be understood that the invention is not limited to the specific details described above and that various modifications and alterations are possible without departing from the scope of the invention.

DERMOT P. CUMMINS & CO., Applicants’ Agents, Merrion Square,

Claims

CLAIMS:

1. A frame for receiving a door or a window comprising a plurality of vertical support struts and an inter-engaging horizontal lintel, each strut and lintel comprising a roll formed metal channel section having a front face and a rear face and including a door stop defined by a raised section intermediate the front and rear faces of the channel.

2. A frame as claimed in claim 1 wherein the struts and lintel are formed for interengagement about a mitre joint; optionally wherein the support struts have a locating means about the mitred end; optionally wherein the support struts have a number of locating tongues extending upwardly from their mitred ends for inter-engagement with the lintel.

3. A frame as claimed in claim 2, wherein the support struts have a plurality of tabs, the tabs being attachable to the mitred end of the support struts and having upwardly extending tongues for engagement with the lintel; and optionally wherein the lintel has a number of tab receiving apertures and a number of tongue receiving apertures for engagement with the locating means of the support struts.

4. A frame as claimed in any of the preceding claims, wherein the support struts include a number of slots for receiving hinges; optionally wherein the support struts have a number of pre-punched frangible portions for housing lock keepers; and optionally wherein the struts are formed for engagement with bricks, blocks or studded walls by means of ties. IE 9 8 Ο 8 Ο 8

5. A frame for receiving a door or window substantially as herein described with reference to and as shown in the accompanying drawings. 5 DERMOT P. CUMMINS & CO.