AP1361A

AP1361A - Frame for a door or a window.

Info

Publication number: AP1361A
Application number: APAP/P/2000/001873A
Authority: AP
Inventors: Wilfred Tobiansky
Original assignee: Wilfred Tobiansky
Priority date: 1999-08-06
Filing date: 2000-07-26
Publication date: 2005-01-17
Also published as: AP2000001873A0

Abstract

The invention relates to a frame for a door or a window. The frame comprises a top frame member, two side frame members, a bottom frame member and a plurality of connectors for connecting the frame members to one another on site to form a frame. The connectors comprise four connecting limbs each of which includes a pair of spaced-apart side flanges, and four restraining formations for restraining the connecting limbs. The restraining formations each include a pair of spaced-apart side flanges on one of the frame members which is arranged to engage with the side flanges on one of the connecting limbs when the limb is slid into or over the restraining formation and which when engaged with the connecting limb restrains the limb from transverse and rotational displacement relative to the frame member.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

THIS invention relates to a frame for a door or a window, and more specifically to a steel door frame or window frame with interlocking frame members.

Conventional steel frames for doors or windows are supplied to site either in an assembled form or in a knock-down form for assembly on site. In the former case, the frames tend to be relatively bulky and consequently are fairly difficult to store or transport. Furthermore, these frames often are distorted during transportation.

Although knock-down frames for doors or windows are relatively easy to store or transport, they require a system for effectively assembling the frames on site. In some conventional systems, the frame members are connected together with mechanical fasteners. For example, DE 42 44 128 A1 and EP 1 174 578 A2 disclose systems for connecting frame members together with separate connector elements and/or with screws or bolts. A disadvantage of these systems is that they include a number of loose parts which can be displaced or lost relatively easily.

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Other conventional systems utilise rivets for connecting the frame members together. In certain instances, such as in low-cost applications, the metal plate used for the frame members is relatively thin, for exampie around 0.6mm. To prevent the rivets from tearing through the thin frame material, it is Known from ZA 98/1519 to provide backing plates on the frame menibers adjacent the rivet joints. A problem with the on-site assembly ot these frames is that it requires a properly working rivet gun, rivets and skilled labour.

ZA 90/6527 discloses another known system for connecting together frame members for a door or a window. According to this disclosure, fores of a door frame or a window frame may be interlocked with a lintel and/or a s 11 by means of engaging formations on these frame members. Although this system avoids the need for loose parts, such as screws or separate connectors, the flanges on the sills and lintels are relatively short and have limited contact with the stiies so that interlocking of the frame members by means of the engaging formations cannot always provide a rigid connection between the respective frame members.

It is an object of the present invention to provide an alternative steel frame for a door or a window which can be stored and transported relatively easily in a compact, pre-assembled form and which can be assembled on site fairly quickly and easily to form a generally rigid frame.

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SUMMARY OF TH£ INVENTION

According to the Invention there is provided a frame for a door or a window comprising:

a top frame member;

two side frame members;

a bottom frame member; and a plurality of connectors for connecting the frame members to one another to form a frame, the connectors comprising:

a plurality of connecting limbs each of which Includes a pair of spaced-apart side flanges, and a plurality of restraining formations for restraining the connecting limbs, each restraining formation including a pair of spaced-apart side flanges on one of the frame members which is arranged to engage with the side flanges on one of the connecting limbs when the limb Is slid into or over the restraining formation and which when engaged with the connecting limb restrains the limb from transverse and rotational displacement relative to the frame member.

Preferably, the frame includes locking means for locking each of the connecting limbs to one of the restraining formations.

£/810,00 J. dV

APC Ο 13 6 1 in one embodiment of the invention, the frame members are formed from steel, the top frame member includes a restraining formation at each longitudinal end thereof, each side frame member includes an Integral, transverse connecting limb at one end thereof which is slidably engageable with one of the restraining formations on the top frame member, and the bottom frame member includes an integral, transverse connecting limb at each end thereof for slidably engaging restraining formations on the side frame members. '

In another embodiment, the top frame member includes an rntegr&p transverse connecting limb at each end thereof for slidably engaging restraining formations on the side frame members, and the bottom frame member includes an integral, transverse connecting limb at each end thereof for slidably engaging restraining formations on the side frame members.

The locking means may comprise a crossbar on each connecting limb, a corresponding crossbar extending between the pair of side flanges on each restraining formation, and a tie (typically in fhe form of a cable tie) for fastening each connecting limb crossbar to one of the restraining formation crossbars.

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Alternatively, the locking means may include openings in the connecting limbs through which a cable tie or the like can be fed.

in a particularly preferred embodiment, each restraining formation includes a (ip on each side flange thereof which together with a web connecting the side flanges to one another forms grooves which are sized and shaped to receive the pair of side flanges on one of the connecting limbs.

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Typically, at least some of the frame members are formed from rolled steel plates and the restraining formations are defined by portions of end regions of the rolled steel plate frame members.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention will now be described in more detail, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

Figure 1 shows a perspective view of a steel door frame according to the present invention prior to assembly;

Figure 2 shows a perspective view of the frame illustrated in Figure 1 in an assembled condition;

Figure 3 shows a cross-sectional view along the line 3-3 in Figure 2;

Figure 4 shows a perspective view of a steel door frame according to another embodiment of the invention prior to assembly; and

Figure 5 shows a perspective view of a portion of the frame illustrated in Figure 4 in an assembled condition.

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DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Figure 1 of the drawings illustrates a door frame 10 according to one embodiment of the present invention prior to assembly'. In this Figure, the

ΑΡ Ο Ο 13 6 1 frame 10 Is seen to include a top frame member 12, a pair of side frame members 14A and 14B, and a bottom frame member 18 which ere connectable to one another to form a rectangular frame.

The top frame member 12. is farmed from rolled steel plate and includes a web 18 and two lipped side flanges 20 which together with side portions of the web define a pair of grooves 22 along opposed lateral sides of the member 12. A pair of crossbars 24 is welded to the member 12 so as to extend laterally across the operatively upper surface of the v -? m illustrated, and provides means for locking th® top frame member to each of the side frame members 14A and 14B. To create the impression of a mifre between the top frame member and the two side frame members when these members are connected to one another, the ends 26 of each flange 20 are inclined upwardly at approximately 45^a, as shown.

Similarly to the top frame member 12, each of the side frame members 14A and 14B is formed from rotted steel plate and has a web 28 arid a pair of lipped side flanges 30 defining two grooves 32. A connecting limb 34 fe welded to the operatively upper end of each side frame member so as to extend transversely from the member, as shown. These connecting limbs are shaped and sized to slide into the ends 36 of the top frame member 12 between the flanges 20, in this regard, side flanges 40 on the connecting limbs 34 are designed to fit snugly within the grooves 22 defined by the top frame member. Once inside the ends 36, each connecting limb 34 is restrained from transverse and rotational displacement relative to the member 12. A crossbar 42 is welded to each of the connecting limbs 34 so as to extend laterally across the limb in a similar fashion to that cf the crossbars 24 on the top frame member 12. A further crossbar 44 is welded to an operatively lower region of each side frame member, as illustrated.

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The bottom frame* member 16 is formed from two, substantially parallel, spaced-apart angle sections 46 which are welded to a pair of steel connecting limbs 43 at opposed ends 50 thereof. The connecting limbs 48 comprise lipped channels which are sized and shaped to slide Into the operatively lower ends 52 of the side frame members 14A and 14B. Accordingly, side flanges 54 on the limbs 48 are designed to fit snugly into grooves 56 defined by the side flanges 30 on the side frame members. Each connecting limb 48 includes a base piste 58 and a crossbar 60 which is welded to the operatively upper region of the limb, as shown. To allow the looking limbs 43 to be fully inserted into the lower ends of the side frame members 14A and 14B, the flanges 54 are spaced slightly inwardly from toe upright legs 62 of toe angle sections 4S so as to define gaps 63 for accommodating toe lower ends of the flanges 30 on the side frame members.

fn practice toe frame members 12, 14A, 14B and 16 are supplied in a detached form so as to be relatively easy to store and transport prior to use. When required, the frame members can be assembled on site fairly quickly and easily to form a generally rigid frame by initially connecting the upper frame member 12 to the side frame members 14A and 14B, and subsequently connecting toe frame members 12,14A and 14B to toe bottom frame member 16.

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To connect toe top frame member 12 to the side frame members 14A and 14B, toe connecting limb 34 on each side frame member is inserted into one of toe ends 36 of toe top frame member by sliding toe flanges 40 along the grooves 22 defined by the member 12. Once inside the ends 36, the connecting limbs 34 are restrained from transverse and rotational displacement relative to toe top frame member by restraining formations in the form of the iipged flanges 20. When the connecting limbs 34 have been fully inserted into the top frame member 12, the crossbars 24 and 42 are fastened together with cable ties 65 in the manner Illustrated in Figure 2 so that the side frame members 14A and 14B are locked to the top frame member 12. in the Figure 2, assembled condition of the frame 10, the ends of the flanges 20 engage with embossed regions 64 (see Figure 1) on the side» frame members so that the door frame appears to have a mitre between the top frame member and each side frame member,

The connection between the top frame member 12 and the oonr..-. rng ifo·.t 34 on the side frame member 14B is illustrated in cross section in Figure 3, h this Figure, the side flanges 40 on the connecting limb 34 are seen to fit snugly within the grooves defined by the lipped flanges 20 so that transverse and rotational displacement of the limb 34 relative to the top frame member 12 is restrained.

After the top frame member 12 has been secured to the side frame members 14A and 14B in the manner described above, the connecting limbs 48 on the bottom frame member 16 are inserted into the operatively lower ends 52 of the side frame members, as illustrated In Figure 2. The lower ends of the flanges 30 are seen in Figure 2 to occupy the gaps 63 in the bottom frame member 16 and the flanges 54 on the connecting limbs 48 are seen to be held within the grooves 56 defined by the flanges 30 so that transverse and relational displacement of the limbs 43 relative to the side frame members is restrained. To lock the members 14A and 14B to the bottom frame member 16, the (ocking bars 44 and 60 are fastened together with cable ties 66, as shown,

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Once the door frame 10 has been assembled in the manner Illustrated in

Figure 2, if can be installed in a building structure in a conventional manner.

Figures 4 and 5 of the accompanying drawings illustrate a frame 110 according to another embodiment of the invention. The frame 110 is similar in many respects to the frame 10 described above, and is also formed from a top frame member 112, a pair of aide frame members 114A and 114B, and a bottom frame member 116. As can be seen, the top frame member 112 and the side frame members 114A and 114B also have a similar profile to the members 12, 14A and 14B of the frame 10. However, in Figure 4 the top frame member 112 is seen to include a pair of connecting limbs 118 which extend transversely from this member and which are sized and shaped to slide into upper ends 120 of the side frame members 114A and 114B, between side flanges 122 on the side frame members. Each connecting limb 118 defines a locking formation 124 which is stamped into the limb during manufacture.

The flanges 122 on the side frame members 114A and 114B present inclined ends 126 which are designed to create the impression of a mitre when these members are connected to the top frame member 112 (see Figure 5) or the bottom frame member 116. Extending across each side frame member 114A and 114B in an upper region and a lower region thereof is a crossbar 128 which facilitates the connection of these frame members to the top and bottom frame members.

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In Figure 4, the bottom frame member 116 is seen to carry two connecting limbs 130 which are arranged to slide into lower ends 132 of the side frame members 114A and 114B, between the side flanges 122. Each connecting limb 130 defines a locking formation in the form of an opening 134.

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To assemble the-frame 110, the connecting limbs 118 on the top frame member 112 are fed into the upper ends 120 of the side frame members 114A and 114B and cable ties are threaded through the locking formations 124 and around the crossbars 123 so as to lock the top frame member to the side frame members, as shown in Figure 5. Thereafter, the connecting limbs 130 on the bottom frame member 116 are fed into the lower ends 132 of the side frame members H4A and 114B and the bottom frame member is locked to the side frame members with cable ties in a similar fashion io that described above.

Anchors in the form of steel strips 136 are welded to the side frame members 114A and 114B, as illustrated in Figure 4. fn use, these strips are bent outwards so as to extend orthogonally from the side frame members 114A and 114B and are subsequently embedded in a wall adjacent the frame 110 when the frame Is installed in a building structure.

Although the invention has been described above with reference to a steel door frame, it should be appreciated that with suitable modifications the frame of the invention could also be used as a steel window frame.

£2810/00 /U.'dV

One advantage of the frame according to the embodiments of the invention described above Is that ft is relatively easy to store or transport. In a preassembled form and can be assembled on site relatively quickly and easily. Another advantage is that the manner in which the connecting limbs interlock with the restraining formations provides for a generally rigid, assembled door frame. Also, the top frame member in the Iilustrated embodiments is sufficiently sturdy to serve as a lintel so that it is not necessary to place a lintel across the top of the door frame.

Claims

1. A frame for a door or a window comprising:

a top frame member;

two side frame members;

a bottom frame member; and a plurality of connectors for connecting the frame members to *one another to form a frame, the connectors comprising:

O a plurality of connecting limbs each of which includes O a pair of spaced-apart side flanges, and a plurality of restraining formations for restraining the connecting limbs, each restraining formation Including a pair of spaced-apart side flanges on one of the frame members which is arranged to engage with the side flanges on one of the connecting limbs when the limb is slid into or over the restraining formation and which when engaged with tiie connecting limb restrains the limb from transverse and rotational displacement relative to the frame member.

2. A frame for a door or a window according to claim 1, including locking means for locking each of the connecting limbs to one of the restraining formations.

AP 01361

- 11 CLAIMS

A frame for a door or a window comprising;

a top frame member;

two side frame members;

a bottom frame member; and a plurality of connectors for connecting the frame mempors to one anothe· to form a frame, characterized in that the connectors comprise;

a plurality of connecting limbs each of which incudes a pau of spaced-apart side flanges, and a plurality of restraining formations for restraining the > connecting limbs, each restraining formation inciuding a pair of spaced-apart side flanges on one of the frame members which is arranged to engage with the side flanges on one of the connecting limbs when the limb is slid into or over the restraining formation and which when engaged with the connecting limb restrains the limb from transverse and relational displacement relative to the frame member.

A frame for a door or a window according to claim 1, characterized in that the frame includes locking means for locking each of the

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- 12 connecting limbs to one of the restraining formations.

3. A frame for a door or a window according to either claim 1 or claim 2, characterized in that the top frame member includes a restraining formation at each longitudinal end thereof, each side frame member includes an integral, transverse connecting limb at one end thereof which is slidably engageable with one of the restraining formations on the top frame member, and the bottom frame member includes an integral, transverse connecting limb at each longitudinal end thereof for slidably engaging restraining formations on the side frame members.

4. A frame for a door or a window according to either claim 1 or claim 2, characterized in that the top frame member includes an integral, transverse connecting limb at each longitudinal end thereof for slidably engaging restraining formations on the side frame members, and the bottom frame member includes an integral, transverse connecting limb at each longitudinal end thereof for slidably engaging restraining formations on the side frame members.

5. A frame for a door or a window according to any one of claims 2 to 4, characterized in that the locking means comprises a crossbar on each connecting limb, a corresponding crossbar extending between the side flanges on each restraining formation, and a cable tie for fastening each connecting limb crossbar to one of the restraining formation crossbars.

6. A frame for a door or a window according to any one of claims 2 to 4, characterized in that the locking means includes openings in the

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- 13 connecting limbs for receiving cable ties.

A frame for a door or a window according to any one of the pit. -in <g ciaims, characterized m that each restraining formation defines a pair of grooves between a lip on each side flange of the restraining formation and a web connecting the side flanges to one anoixi and wherein the grooves are sized and shaped to receive the pan ;.,· side flanges on one of the connecting limbs.

A frame for a door or a window according to any one of the p ig claims, characterized in that at least some of the frame mei formed from rolled steel plates and the restraining format·· · re defined by portions oi end regions of the roiled steel plats frame members.