IE863039L

IE863039L - Reinforcing device for a door

Info

Publication number: IE863039L
Application number: IE303986A
Authority: IE
Original assignee: Kilhale Ltd
Priority date: 1986-11-18
Filing date: 1986-11-18
Publication date: 1988-05-18
Also published as: IE57539B1; GB2197677A; GB2197677B; GB8726930D0

Description

The invention relates to a reinforcing device for a door, and in particular to a reinforcing device for a door stile and a reinforcing device for a door frame, in particular for timber doors and frames for use in the region of a mortise for receiving a mortise lock or a mortise for receiving a lock receiver.

External doors are usually of the timber frame type and are commonly approximately 2.2 m high, 0.87 m wide and 35 mm to 50 mm thick. The vertical structural components of the door are known as stiles and are made from timber sections having a mortise for accommodating a mortise lock. A mortise in the door frame is cut to receive the lock bolt of the mortise lock. Mortise locks may be deadlocks, that is, without a handle and operated only by a key, or sash locks which have two bolts, one of which is operated by turning the handle and the other bolt operated by a key. For a typical mortise lock a mortise of 76 x 17 mm is cut in a stile of approximately 45 x 105 mm, thus leaving just 14 mm of timber on either side of the lock housing over a vertical distance of 76 mm. Similarly, the mortise cut in the door frame may leave only 16 - 3 - • f . mm thickness of timber in the part of the frame which has typical dimensions of 35 x 45 mm.

Five lever mortise locks are frequently specified as a security requirement by insurance companies, and these locks are effective as long as they are in place. However, a casual, unplanned, smash-and-grab burglar usually does not attempt to pick the lock. Instead, he normally uses crude methods to break the door or the door frame. This is surprisingly easy as a lever such as a crow bar inserted between the door stile and the frame can cause either or both elements to break at or near where they are weakened by the lock mortises. Indeed, a strong kick or a shoulder charge may be sufficient in some cases to break the door frame or stile and allow the burglar to gain access. 15 To counteract this it is known to provide a reinforcing kit comprising two narrow metal plates which are fixed to opposite faces of the door stile extending approximately 50 mm above and below the mortise. While this solution increases the resistance to bending of the door stile, it provides 20 negligible additional resistance to the shear stresses in the weakened door stile where doors generally break during such crude attacks. 'ft 5 10 A second counter measure involves fitting a metal reinforcing strip to the inside face of the door frame extending above and - 4 - below the lock bolt receiver. Again this reinforcement is of assistance but is only a partial solution, as it does not effectively distribute the shear stresses involved when such an attack is made. 5 There is, therefore, a need for an improved reinforcing device for a door stile and a door frame to provide enhanced resistance to both shear stress and bending moments and distributes such loads more effectively from the lock bolt and the lock housings to the solid and unweakened parts of the 10 door stile and frame.

This invention is directed towards providing an improved reinforcing device.

Accordingly the invention provides a door stile mortise reinforcing device for reinforcing a door stile adjacent a 15 mortise the device comprising two oppositely directed angle members for engagement with opposite faces of a door stile, each angle member having a facing plate member for mounting to a face of a door stile and a side reinforcing member for mounting to the side of a door stile, the facing plate member 20 having a keyhole for receiving a key and the side reinforcing member having a cut-out to accommodate at least portion of a lock bolt.

The invention will be more clearly understood from the following description thereof, given by way of example only, with reference to. the accompanying drawings, in which:- Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a reinforcing device for a door stile according to the invention, Fig. 2 is a perspective view of the device of Fig. 1, in use, Fig. 3 is a side elevational view of one part of the device of Fig. 1, Fig. 4 is a side elevational view of another part of the device of Fig. 1, Fig. 5 is a side elevational view of the stile reinforcing device, in use, Fig. 6 is a cross-sectional view of the device of Fig. 1 in use, Fig. 7 is a perspective view of a reinforcing device for a door frame according to the invention, Fig. 8 is a perspective view of the device of Fig. 7 in use, - 6 - Fig. 9 is a side elevational view of the device of Fig. 7, Fig. 10 is a cross-sectional view on the line X-X in Fig. 9/ 5 Fig. 11 is a side elevational view of the devices of Figs. 1 and 7, in use, and Fig. 12 is a cross-sectional view on the line XII-XII in Fig. 11.

Referring to the drawings, and initially to Figs. 1 to 12 10 thereof, there is illustrated a stile reinforcing device indicated generally by the reference numeral 1 for a door stile 2 and a frame reinforcing device indicated generally by the reference numeral 3 for a door frame 4. The stile reinforcing device 1 and the door frame reinforcing device 3 15 are illustrated in detail in Figs. 1 to 6 and 7 to 10 respectively.

Referring particularly to Figs. 1 to 6 the door stile reinforcing device 1 comprises two separate angle sections, namely an internal angle section 10 and an external angle 20 section 11. The facing ieg 13 of the internal angle section 10 is mounted to the internal face of the door stile 2 and the - 7- facing leg 14 of the external angle section 11 is fitted to the external face of the door stile 2. Side legs 15, 16 of the internal and external angle sections 10, 11 include enlarged cut-outs 17, 18 respectively which overlap in use to 5 accommodate the lock bolt 20 of a mortise deadlock 21 mounted in mortise in the door stile 2. Each of the side legs 15, 16 also includes four spaced-apart elongate fastening receiving slots 22, 23 respectively which also overlap in use to accommodate suitable fastening devices. 10 The facing legs 13, 14 include fixing holes 30, 31 respectively for receiving fastening means 32 which are preferably of the flush counter-sunk headless type or threaded pipe welded to one angle 10 or 11. One, and in this case both of the facing legs 13, 14 include keyholes 35, 36 through 15 which a key is inserted to operate the lock 21.

Typically the angle sections 10, 11 are of 1.5 mm thick metal and define, in use, a composite type integrated structure where the lock housing and weakened door stile in the region of the lock housing represent the core material of a sandwich 20 construction which has a limited capacity to resist shear stresses. The composite type construction with the reinforcing angles provides resistance to both shear stress and bending movements and distributes such loads effectively to the solid and unweakened parts of the door stile. - 8 - It will be noted that the reinforcing device extends above, below and sidewardly of the mortise to reinforce the door stile.

The overlapping of the cut-out slots 17, 18 and the fastening 5 receiving slots 22, 23 allow a range of sizes of door stiles to be accommodated by a single door stile reinforcing device 1 according to this embodiment of the invention. In addition, because the reinforcing device is in two separate parts, these may be independently fastened to the door stile using separate 10 fastening devices. This makes the reinforcing device relatively easy to fit as there is no requirement for a single through hole to be drilled through the door stile which will line up with the fastening receiving fixing holes 30, 31 so that a single fastening device may be used for fastening the 15 reinforcing device to the door. This adds considerably to the flexibility of the reinforcing device. It will also be appreciated that the keyhole 35, 36 may be made oversized to accommodate a range of different mortise locks. Spindle holes (not shown) are also provided. 20 Referring to Figs. 7 to 10 the reinforcing device 3 for the door frame 4 is in this case of angle construction for fitting to the jamb of the door frame 4. One of the legs 40 of the angle defines a facing reinforcing plate and the other leg 41 of the angle defines a side reinforcing plate for the jamb 4 25 of the door frame. The side angle leg 41 includes a cut-back - 9 - 43 for accommodating the bolt 20 of the mortise deadlock 21. Thus, the reinforcing device also replaces a conventional lock receiver plate. Both the facing angle legs 40 and the side angle leg 41 includes holes for reception of suitable 5 fastening devices 45. In this case the fastening devices 45 comprise counter-sunk screws however, any suitable fastening devices may be used. In particular, the fastening devices through the side angle leg 41 may engage the masonry surrounding the door frame 4 and in this case the fastening 10 device may comprise a Hilti bolt.

It will be noted that the side angle leg 41 extends above, below and sidewardly of the lock bolt receiver cut-back 43 to reinforce the door jamb 4. The angle legs 40, 41, reinforce the door jamb and distribute the shear stress and bending 15 moments applied to the unweakened parts of the door frame.

The reinforcing device 1 and 3 according to this embodiment of the invention will fit many doors as the dimensions in relative locations of the lock bolts, spindle and keyholes are usually standardised. Thus, mortise deadlocks and sash locks 20 are typically either two and a half inches (64mm) or three inches (76mm) deep lock housings.

The use of the reinforcing devices 1, 3 according to this embodiment of the invention is also illustrated in Figs. 11 and 12. - 10 - Usually the reinforcing devices for the door frame are of metal construction and approximately 2 mm to 3 mm thick and extend approximately 30 mm above and below the lock receiver plate, and are preferably of equal height to the door stile 5 reinforcing device. Above and below the receiver plates the reinforcing device extends horizontally at least 35 mm from the edge of the frame. Thus, the arm of the angle has a rectangular cut-out of approximately 35 x 178 mm when the block receiver plate has a vertical height of 178 mm. This 10 cut-out allows the door frame reinforcing angle to be fitted above and below the lock receiving plate, including any projecting lips for a sash bolt.

It will be appreciated that the exposed faces of the door reinforcing devices according to the invention may be 15 decorated in a variety of styles to suit the door type. However, it is envisaged that in some cases to act as a deterrent it may be preferable not to hide or camouflage the presence of the reinforcing device in any way.

Preferably the height or vertical • dimensions of the 20 reinforcing device as fitted to the door and frame should be at least twice that of the mortise which is provided in the frame. The width of the reinforcing device should at least equal that of the mortise. -lilt will be appreciated that the reinforcing devices may be easily adapted to non-standard configurations of keyhole and lock bolt and lock receiver. While the standard dimensions will allow a limited range of reinforcing devices for the door 5 stile, there are wide ranges of possible reinforcing devices for the door frame. To accommodate variations in the mortise deadlocks larger spindle receiving holes and keyholes may be provided. Similarly, to accommodate different key sizes, the keyholes cut in the door reinforcing device may be circular or 10 oval shape, and larger than that of the largest common type of key used. In addition, the holes for the lock bolt in both the door stile reinforcing device and the door frame reinforcing device may be slightly larger than that of the lock dimensions to accommodate different lock manufacturers. 15 It will be appreciated that while preferably both the door stile and door frame are reinforced with a door stile reinforcing device and a door frame reinforcing device according to the invention, only the door stile reinforcing device may be used in some applications. 20 It will be appreciated that in fitting the door stile reinforcing device and the door frame reinforcing device for both, it may be necessary to cut back the existing door stile and frame over the height of the devices. - 12 -

Claims

1. A door stile mortise reinforcing device for reinforcing a door stile adjacent a mortise, the device comprising two oppositely directed angle members for engagement with opposite faces of a door stile, each angle member having a facing plate member for mounting to a face of a door stile and a side reinforcing member for mounting to the side of a door stile, the facing plate member having a keyhole for receiving a key and the side reinforcing member having a cut-out to accommodate at least portion of a lock bolt.

2. A reinforcing device as claimed in claim 1 wherein the cut-out portions in use together define a slot for accommodating a lock bolt.

3. A reinforcing device as claimed in claim 2 wherein the cut-out portions each) comprise enlarged cut-out slots which overlap in use to accommodate a range of sizes or positions of lock bolts.

4. A reinforcing device as claimed in any preceding claim wherein each side reinforcing plate member is of planar construction for mounting to a planar side face of a door stile. - 13 -

5. A reinforcing device as claimed in any of claims 1 to 3 wherein each side reinforcing plate member is of stepped construction for mounting to a stepped side face of a door stile.

6. A reinforcing device as claimed in any of claims 1 to 5 wherein, in use, each facing plate member extends above and below the mortise.

7. A reinforcing device as claimed in any of claims 1 to 6 wherein each side reinforcing plate member extends, in use, above and below the mortise.

8. A reinforcing device as claimed in any of claims 1 to 7 wherein each facing plate member includes mounting holes for reception of fixing devices for mounting the device to a door stile.

9. A reinforcing device as claimed in any of claims 1 to 8 wherein each side reinforcing plate member includes mounting holes for (reception of fixing devices for mounting the device to a door stile.

10. A door lock reinforcing kit comprising a door stile reinforcing device as claimed in any of claims 1 to 9 and a door frame reinforcing device for reinforcing a door frame adjacent a mortise. - 14 -

11. A kit as claimed in claim 10 wherein the door frame reinforcing device comprises an angle member having a facing plate member for mounting to a face of a door frame and a side reinforcing plate member for mounting 5 to the side of a door frame.

12. A kit as claimed in claim 11 wherein the side reinforcing plate member of the door frame reinforcing device includes a cut-out portion to accommodate at least portion of a lock receiver. 10

13. A kit as claimed in claim the facing plate member device extends above and 11 or claim 12 wherein, in use, of the door frame reinforcing below the mortise.

14. A kit as claimed in any of claims 11 to 13 wherein the side reinforcing plate member of the door frame 15 reinforcing device extends, in use, above and below the mortise.

15. A kit as claimed in any of claims 11 to 14 wherein the cut-out is sized to accommodate a range of sizes of lock receiver. 20

16. A kit as claimed in any of claims 11 to 15 wherein the facing plate member of the door frame reinforcing device - 15 - includes mounting holes for reception of fixing devices for mounting the device to a door frame.

17. A kit as claimed in any of claims 11 to 16 wherein the side reinforcing plate member of the door frame 5 reinforcing device includes mounting holes for reception of fixing devices for mounting the device to a door stile or door frame.

18. A kit substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings. 10

19. A door stile mortise reinforcing device for reinforcing a door stile substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings. Dated this 17th day of November 1987 CRUICKSHANK & CO. Agents for the Applicant, 1 Holies Street, Dublin 2.