GB2317410A

GB2317410A - Two-part depth adjustable frames for doors and windows

Info

Publication number: GB2317410A
Application number: GB9715157A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Andrew Pewter; Christopher Cox
Original assignee: MONOTECH SYSTEMS Ltd
Current assignee: MONOTECH SYSTEMS Ltd
Priority date: 1996-09-18
Filing date: 1997-07-21
Publication date: 1998-03-25
Also published as: AU4215197A; GB9715157D0; WO1998012408A1

Abstract

A door or window frame comprises first and second separable frame members 4 and 5 which define the two sides of the frame. One member 4 includes an elongate serrated surface 23, and the second 5 a cooperating catch 29, which enable the frame depth to be varied as one frame member is moved towards the other, and for the final position to be fixed. A metal liner 7 attached to a stud 6 in the wall cavity may clip both members to the wall 1. Further embodiments (figs. 4-8) disclose the use of different configurations of latching mechanisms, including a mechanism comprising two slidable surfaces with interlocking spaced upstanding projections. The frame can thus accommodate walls of varied thickness.

Description

FRAMES FOR DOORS AND WINDOWS This invention relates to door and window frames.

Conventionally, door and window frames are constructed from wood or plastics and are secured to the wall edges which border the opening to be closed by a door or window. Each frame length is normally of integral construction, the individual lengths being joined through appropriate joints.

Generally frames are produced in a range of depths to accommodate different wall thicknesses normally to be found in buildings. The wall thicknesses in any given building may vary thus requiring a range of door or window frames of different depths to be employed. This is more likely to occur when replacing a door or window frame in buildings such as hospitals and hotels. For wall thicknesses not normally to be found in buildings, oneoff frames need to be constructed.

One object of the present invention is to provide a frame for an opening whose depth can be selectively adjusted to enable the frame to match a range of wall thicknesses.

According to the present invention there is provided a door or window frame which comprises a first elongate frame member which defines one side of the frame and includes a first component of a latching mechanism, and a second frame member which defines the other side of the frame and includes a second component of the latching mechanism, the arrangement being such that movement of one frame member towards the other causes the first and second latching components to interengage to enable the distance between the frame members and therefore the depth of the frame to be varied.

The invention will now be described by way of example only with reference to the accompanying diagrammatic drawings in which: Figure 1 is a cross-section taken through an assembled frame in accordance with the invention.

Figure 2 is a section taken through an alternative frame in accordance with the invention; Figure 3 is a section taken through a still further frame in accordance with the invention; Figure 4 is a section taken through a window frame in accordance with the invention; Figures 5 and 6 are sections taken through alternative frames in accordance with the invention in, respectively, its positions of minimum and maximum depth; Figure 7 is an exploded view of the frame shown in Figures 5 and 6; and Figure 8 is a section taken through an alternative window frame in accordance with the invention.

The frame illustrated in Figure 1 is shown attached to a wall 1 and supports a door 2 through a hinge 3. The frame may be produced from aluminium, plastics, steel, or other suitable material. The frame is formed from two separable members 4, 5 and is attached to a lined timber stud 6 through a clamping clip or liner 7 (hereinafter referred to as a "liner") secured by screws to the stud 6. The liner is preferably metallic and may be produced, for example, from steel or aluminium. The liner is profiled to define a projection 8 which locates over one side edge of the wall 1 and a catch 9 which locates behind an adjoining surface of a screw port 11 of the frame member 4. After the catch 9, the profile of the liner is shaped to follow the inner surface of the frame member 4 and is then turned through 900 to define a backing piece 12 for the shank of the door hinge 3. The end of the liner 7 remote from the backing piece 12 is shaped to define a gulley 14 into which seats one free end 15 of the frame member 4. The liner 7 effectively acts as a clip to secure the frame member 4 to the wall 1.

Frame member 4 includes a lip 16 whose edge lies in contact with the wall 1, a wall section 1 7 which lies generally parallel to the wall surface and includes one or more slots to receive the hinge 3, a wall section 1 8 which lies generally parallel to the shank of the hinge 3, a wall section 21 which lies generally normal to the hinge shank and includes a groove 22 to receive the innermost end of the hinge shank, and a ratchet section 23 whose end seats in the gulley 14. The ratchet 23 is formed with a plurality of teeth 24 and defines one part of a latching mechanism. Extending in line with the wall section 1 8 is a profiled section 25 which acts as a stop and is opensided to receive sealing strips.

The frame member 5 includes a lip 26 whose edge lies in contact with the side of the wall 1 remote from the lip 16, an outer wall section 27, a wall section 28 which lies generally normal to wall section 27, and an inclined latch 29 whose free end is shaped to engage any one of the teeth 24 of the ratchet 23 and defines the other part of the latching mechanism referred to above.

On assembly of the frame, frame member 5 is positioned within frame member 4 as shown in Figure 1 and moved inwardly until the lips 16, 26 come into contact with the opposed wall surfaces 1. During this movement, the latch 29 slides over the inclined teeth 24 of the ratchet 23 and, once the movement has been completed, locates behind the appropriate tooth to lock one frame member to the other.

Figure 2 illustrates the frame of Figure 1 when fitted to a wall of greater thickness. As will be seen, the frames are identical but the liner 7 is secured to the stud wall 1 in a different position and the two frame members 4, 5 are spaced further apart to accommodate the increased wall thickness.

In the embodiment illustrated in Figure 3 the frame member 4 is the same as that illustrated in Figures 1 and 2 but a longer frame member 5 is employed to accommodate a stud wall of increased thickness.

The frame illustrated in Figure 4 is of particular use as a window frame. In this embodiment, the frame comprises a frame member 31 which includes a ratchet 32 formed with inclined teeth 33 similar to the frame member 4 and ratchet 23 of the frame illustrated in Figure 1. A second frame member 34 includes a latch 35 which engages the teeth 33 to define with the ratchet a latching mechanism very similar to that described above.

Thus, the depth of the frame can be adjusted to match any one of a selected range of wall thicknesses.

The frame illustrated in Figure 5 to 7 is shown assembled in its position of minimum width for use as a window frame in Figure 5 and assembled in its position of maximum width in Figure 6 for use as a door frame. The individual members of the frame can be seen in more detail in the exploded view of Figure 7.

As can be seen from Figure 5, the frame comprises a pair of glazing beads 40 which cooperate to support a sheet of glass 41, resilient beading clips or strips 42 being retained within suitable shaped recesses 43 to engage resiliently the glass sheet 41. Only one bead 40 is shown in Figure 6, its upstanding side 44 acting as a door stop.

Each frame includes an elongate generally "L" sectioned member 45 which lies generally parallel to an adjoining edge of a wall 47 and is formed with an upstanding "T" piece 48 whose free ends extend into a recessed end 49 of the or each bead 40. The other end 50 of the or each bead 40 carries a protrusion 51 which seats below a returned edge 52 of the or each bead 40.

The frame member 45 has a returned end 46 which lies generally parallel to one side 53 of the wall 47 and includes a protruding ledge 54 which locates within a recess of an upstand 55 of a retaining frame member 56. The frame member 56 lies along one edge of the wall 47 and below the frame member 45. Frame member 56 is formed with an elongate section 57 and a return 58 which includes a recess 59 in which is located a nipple end of a protruding strip 60 of the return 46 of the frame member 45.

The surface of the frame member 56 out of contact with the wall includes a plurality of spaced protrusions 61.

An adjustable frame member 62 is positioned between the frame members 45 and 56. Frame member 62 has an elongate section 63 which overlies the elongate section 57 of the retaining frame member 56 and is formed with serrations 64 on its contacting surface. The sections 57, 63 define two parts of a latching mechanism similar to the latching mechanisms described above. Adjustable frame member 62 has a return 65 which lies parallel to and engages the other side 66 of the wall 47.

Once positioned as shown in Figure 5 or Figure 6, the assembly is fixed by means of a screw 67 which passes through all three frame members.

A modified window frame is shown in Figure 8 in which the glazing strip has been replaced by an alternative strip capable of accommodating the two sheets of window glass for double glazing purposes.

It will be appreciated that the foregoing is merely exemplary of frames in accordance with the invention and that modifications can readily be made thereto without departing from the scope of the invention as set out in the appended claims.

Claims

1. A door or window frame which comprises a first elongate frame member which defines one side of the frame and includes a first component of a latching mechanism, and a second frame member which defines the other side of the frame and includes a second component of the latching mechanism, the arrangement being such that movement of one frame member towards the other causes the first and second latching components to interengage to enable the distance between the frame members and therefore the depth of the frame to be varied.

2. A frame as claimed in Claim 1 wherein the first frame member is formed with a first section which, in use, lies in contact with one side of a wall which borders an opening to be framed, and a second section which, in use, lies across at least a part of the width of the wall, said second section including serrations which define one component of the latching mechanism, and wherein the second frame member is formed with a first section which in use lies in contact with the other side of the said wall and a second section which in use lies across at least a part of the wall width, said second section including a catch which defines the second component of the latching mechanism, said catch co-operating with the serrations to locate one frame member with respect to the other.

3. A frame as claimed in Claim 2 further comprising a profiled liner for securement to a timber stud forming part of the wall to which the frame is to be attached, the liner including a projection for location over one side edge of the wall and a gulley for receiving and locating the free end of the serrated section of the said one frame member.

4. A frame as claimed in Claim 3 wherein the end of the liner remote from the gulley extends partially along the width of the wall and is spaced from a generally parallel section of the first frame member, the spacing between the liner end and frame section defining a channel for receiving a shank of a hinge.

5. A frame as claimed in Claim 1 wherein said first member is formed in two parts, one part defining one side of the frame and including a first elongate section which in use extends along the width of the wall, the other part including a second elongate section spaced from and generally parallel to said first elongate section and defining one component of the latching mechanism.

6. A frame as claimed in Claim 5 wherein said second elongate section is formed with a plurality of spaced upstanding projections.

7. A frame as claimed in Claim 6 wherein the latching component of the second member comprises an elongate strip which lies generally parallel to and between the two elongate sections of the first frame member, the latching component being formed with a plurality of serrations which engage the upstanding projection of the second elongate section of the first frame member.

8. A door or window frame substantially as herein described and as described with reference to Figures 1 and 2 of Figure 3 or Figure 4 or Figures 5 to 7 or Figure 8 of the accompanying diagrammatic drawing.