EP2710213A1

EP2710213A1 - An adjustable shim

Info

Publication number: EP2710213A1
Application number: EP12784934.7A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Eddie JURGENSEN
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2011-05-18
Filing date: 2012-04-19
Publication date: 2014-03-26
Anticipated expiration: 2032-04-19
Also published as: EP2710213A4; DK177248B1; EP2710213B1; WO2012155908A1

Abstract

An adjustable shim is disclosed, comprising a first contact body (2) with a first outward facing contact surface (3), a second contact body (4) with a second outward-facing contact surface (5) arranged so that the second contact surface is parallel to and faces away from the first contact surface, one or more brackets (6), each of which are rotatably connected to the first contact body and to the second contact body, such that when the one or more brackets are rotated, the first contact body and the second contact body are displaced in relation to each other by a translation, which changes the distance between the first contact surface and the second contact surface, and means (7, 8, 9, 10) for rotating the one or more brackets. Furthermore, the use of one or more such adjustable shims for positioning and fixating a window frame or a door frame when mounting it in an opening in a wall is disclosed.

Description

AN ADJUSTABLE SHIM

Field of the invention The present invention relates to an adjustable shim for use, for instance, for positioning and fixating a window frame or a door frame when mounting it in an opening in a wall.

Background of the invention

Traditionally, when a window frame or a door frame is to be mounted in a suitable opening in a wall, the frame is positioned and fixated in the horizontal direction by hammering a wedge into the spaces between the frame and the wall on each side of the frame at the bottom thereof, before the frame is secured to the wall by means of screws.

In this case, when centring the frame in the opening by adjusting the position of the frame in the direction parallel to the wall, the wedges on both sides of the frame must be loosened and then hammered back in position again.

Furthermore, when the parallelism of the frame with the wall is adjusted by moving one or both of the side parts of the frame either inwards or outwards, the wedges, which due to their shape have very small areas of contact with the frame and with the wall, may be loosened, and the positioning of the frame in the direction parallel to the wall may be spoiled.

Finally, the wedges may be difficult to remove after securing the frame to the wall with screws due to the friction between the wedges and the frame and the wall, respectively. Some of these problems can be solved by using the so-called air wedges, which are basically a kind of balloons, which are placed in the spaces between the frame and the wall on the two sides of the frame, respectively. This allows for an easy centring of the frame in the opening by gradually inflating one of the air wedges and simultaneously deflating the other one correspondingly. Also, when the frame has been secured to the wall by screws, the air wedges are easily removed by simply deflating both of them. However, due to the combination of large friction between the frame and the air wedges and between the air wedges and the wall, respectively, and large elasticity of the air wedges, it is not possible to adjust the parallelism of the frame with the wall by moving the side parts of the frame inwards or outwards, when the air wedges are inflated. When the side parts of the frame are moved inwards or outwards,, the air wedges will simply be deformed, and when the hold on the frame is released, the air wedges will regain their previous shape moving the side parts of the frame back to their previous positions again.

Furthermore, the air wedges must be relatively large and may not only make it impossible to position the securing screws in the most appropriate positions. Also, the size of the air wedges means that the pressure on the outside of the side parts of the frame cannot be applied only at the bottom of the frame where the side parts are supported by the horizontal bottom part, and the pressure from the air wedges may therefore cause the side parts of the frame to curve inwards.

Finally, due to their nature, there is always a risk that air wedges may puncture.

US 6,162,402 discloses a window installation system, in which two contact bodies, each having an outward-facing contact surface, may be forced away from each other by means of a well-known "scissor type" elevation system by applying forces perpendicular to the planes of the contact surfaces to the two contact bodies. It is an object of the present invention to provide a device without the above- mentioned disadvantages of the wedges and air wedges known in the art. Brief description of the invention

The present invention relates to an adjustable shim for use, for instance, for

positioning and fixating a window frame or a door frame when mounting it in an opening in a wall, said adjustable shim comprising a first contact body with a first outward-facing contact surface, a second contact body with a second outward-facing contact surface arranged so that the second contact surface is parallel to and faces away from the first contact surface, one or more brackets, each of which are rotatably connected to the first contact body and to the second contact body, such that when the one or more brackets are rotated, the first contact body and the second contact body are displaced in relation to each other by a translation, which changes the distance between the first contact surface and the second contact surface, and means for rotating the one or more brackets, wherein the direction of the translation has a component parallel to the planes of the first contact surface and the second contact surface, the brackets are forced to rotate by applying oppositely directed forces to the first contact body and the second contact body, respectively, in directions substantially parallel to the planes of the first contact surface and the second contact surface, and said forces are applied by rotating a threaded rod engaging with an internal thread arranged within the first contact body or within a flange connected thereto, said threaded rod being directly or indirectly in physical contact with the second contact body.

Such a configuration results in an adjustable shim, which is not only relatively simple in construction, but also very reliable and flexible in use. It is to be understood that by the expression "one or more brackets, each of which are rotatably connected to the first contact body and to the second contact body" is meant a mechanical part, which is directly or indirectly connected to both of the contact bodies and which can be rotated in relation to each of them.

By allowing the contact bodies to move relative to each other in a direction parallel to the plates, a very simple configuration of the adjustable shim may be obtained.

Applying oppositely directed forces to the two contact bodies, and especially doing it by means of rotating a threaded rod as described above, is advantageous in that it allow the adjustment of the shim to be done from the end thereof and with great accuracy.

Using plane contact surfaces simplifies the production process and facilitates the interaction between the contact surfaces and the surfaces with which they are in contact.

In an embodiment of the invention, the first contact body and/or the second contact body are at least partly made from a metal, such as steel or aluminium.

The use of metal contact bodies is advantageous for reducing the wear of the contact surfaces during use of the adjustable shim and fo providing a suitable coefficient of friction between the contact surfaces and the surfaces with which they are in contact. The use of aluminium further has the advantage of reducing the weight of the adjustable shim. In an embodiment of the invention, a width of the first contact surface and/or the second contact surface is in the range between 0.5 cm and 10 cm, preferably between 1 cm and 8 cm, most preferably between 1.5 cm and 4 cm.

Widths within the specified ranges ensure that the adjustable shim is wide enough to be stable in use and not so wide that it blocks for the optimal positioning of securing screws when mounting a window frame or a door frame. In an embodiment of the invention, a length of the first contact surface and/or the second contact surface is in the range between 5 cm and 40 cm, preferably between 10 cm and 35 cm, most preferably between 15 cm and 30 cm.

Lengths within the specified ranges ensure that the adjustable shim is long enough for supporting the frame to be mounted in its foil depth and not so long that it is unhandy. In an embodiment of the invention, the minimum distance between the first contact surface and the second contact surface less than 4 cm, preferably less than 2 cm, most preferably less than 1.2 cm.

In an embodiment of the invention, the maximum distance between the first contact surface and the second contact surface is in the range between 1 cm and 10 cm, preferably between 1.5 cm and 8 cm, most preferably between 2 cm and 5 cm.

Minimum and maximum distances within the specified ranges between the two contact surfaces ensure that the adjusta le shim may enter the space between the frame and the wall, when it is in its most folded condition, and that it is able to position and fixate the frame, when it is expanded.

In an aspect of the invention, it relates to the use of one or more adjustable shims as described above for positioning and fixating a window frame or a door frame when mounting it in an opening in a wall.

As will be described in further detail below, the use of adjustable shims according to the invention is very advantageous when mounting window frames or door frames. Figures

An exemplary embodiment of the invention will be described in the following with reference to the figures, of which fig. la shows a perspective view of an adjustable shim according to the

invention in its most folded condition, i.e. being as thin as possible, fig. lb shows a perspective view of the same adjustable shim in a more

expanded condition, fig. 2a is a side view of the folded shim illustrated in fig. la, and fig. 2b is a side view of the expanded shim illustrated in fig. lb. Detailed description of the invention

Figs. la-2b show different views of a preferred embodiment of an adjustable shim 1 according to the invention in its most folded condition, i.e. being as thin as possible, and in a more expanded condition.

The shim 1 comprises a first contact body in the form of an elongated contact plate 2 and a second contact body in the form of another elongated plate 4.

In other embodiments of the invention, the contact bodies may have other forms, but the use of elongated plates 2, 4 is advantageous for several reasons, as it ensures that the two contact surfaces 3, 5 are plane and that the minimum distance between these surfaces 3, 5 is minimized. Furthermore, contact plates 2, 4 can be easily and cost- efficiently produced and processed. The contact plates 2, 4 will typically be made from a metal, such as steel or aluminium, which are stable and wear-resistant materials, the surface structures of which result in suitable coefficient of frictions between the contact surfaces 3, 5 on one side and a window frame and a wall, respectively, on the other side.

The contact plates 2, 4 are connected by a number of brackets 6, each of which pass through two respective bores (not shown) in the two contact plates 2, 4, respectively.

In the illustrated embodiment of the invention, each of the brackets 6 forms a closed loop, which may be made, for instance, by welding together a piece of metal wire after forming it appropriately and passing it through the two contact plates 2, 4.

In other embodiments, however, each of the brackets 6 may be open in one side, i.e. like the illustrated ones 6, only not welded together. In that case, for the sake of stability of the adjustable shim 1, the open side of the brackets 6 should preferably alternate from one bracket 6 to the subsequent one.

In yet other embodiments, similar brackets 6 or another form of brackets may be connected to the contact bodies 2, 4 by means of some kind of fittings on the two surfaces of the two contact bodies 2, , respectively, facing against each other.

However, such a solution increases the minimum distance between the contact surfaces 3, 5, which may be obtained with the adjustable shim 1. In order to avoid that problem, the fittings ma be placed^' on the side of the two contact bodie 2, 4, for instance in the same positions as the openings of the bores through the contact plates 2, in the illustrated embodiment.

The distance between the two contact surfaces 3, 5 is increased by pushing the second contact plate 4 from one end by means of a contact plate displacer 7, thus forcing the brackets 6 to rotate clockwise about the connections to the first contact plate 2. In the illustrated embodiment, the contact plate dispenser 7 is moved in the longitudinal direction of the contact plates 2, 4 by rotating a threaded displacer rod 8 at the end of which the contact plate dispenser 7 is arranged. The displacer rod 8 is engaged with an internal thread (not shown), which is arranged in a displacer flange 9 formed as an integral part of the first contact plate 2.

In other embodiments, the displacer flange 9 may be an individual part, which is connected to the first contact plate 2 one way or the other. The important thing is that the internal thread is physically fixed in relation to the first contact plate 2 so that rotation of the displacer rod 8 causes oppositely directed forces to be applied to the two contact plates 2, 4.

In principle, the contact plate displacer 7 may be omitted, in which case the end of the displacer rod 8 would be in direct contact with the second contact plate 4.

However, such a solution requires a relatively large diameter of the displacer rod 8 in order to ensure that it stays in contact with the end part of the second contact plate 4 as the distance between the contact surfaces 3, 5 increases and the second contact plate 4 moves away from the first contact plate 2. In order to facilitate the rotation of the displacer rod 8, it is provided with a handle in the form of a finger knob 10. Obviously, other types of handles and knobs may be used for the same purpose.

When used for mounting a window frame or a door frame in a wall opening, adjustable shims 1 according to the invention are free from the disadvantages related to using conventional wedges or air wedges as described above.

The position of the frame in the direction parallel to the wall may easily be adjusted for centring the frame in the opening by simply rotating the knob 10 of an adjustable shim 1 on one side of the frame in one rotational direction and the knob 10 of an adjustable shim Γ on the other side of the frame in the opposite rotational direction. This will cause one of the adjustable shims 1 to expand and the other one to diminish correspondingly.

Due to the relatively large area of contact between the contact plate 2, 4 of the adjustable shim 1 and the frame and a suitable coefficient of friction there between, the adjustable shims 1 will stay in position, when the parallelism of the frame is adjusted by moving its side parts inwards or outwards, the sides of the frame simply sliding along the contact surfaces 3, S of the respective adjustable shims 1. After securing the frame to the wall with screws, the adjustable shims 1 are easily removed after diminishing both of them by turning their respective knobs 10 in the appropriate rotational direction.

If the adjustable shims 1 are placed at the bottom of the frame, the relative narrow width of the contact plates 2, 4 ensures that pressure onto the frame is only applied where the side parts of the frame is supported by the horizontal bottom part so that the pressure from the adjustable shims 1 so not cause the side parts to curve inwards, and that the adjustable shims 1 are not in the way for positioning the securing screws in the most appropriate positions.

Finally, unlike when using air wedges, there is no risk of puncture when using adjustable shims 1 according to the invention.

It should be emphasized that the scope of the present invention is not restricted by the description above which represents an exemplary and illustrative embodiment only, whereas the scope of the invention is defined by the following claims. List of reference numbers

1. Adjustable shim

2. First contact plate 3. First contact surface

4. Second contact plate

5. Second contact surface

6. Bracket

7. Contact plate displacer 8. Displacer rod

9. Displacer flange

10. Displacer handle

Claims

1. An adjustable shim (1) for use, for instance, for positioning and fixating a

window frame or a door frame when mounting it in an opening in a wall, said adjustable shim comprising a first contact body (2) with a first outward-facing contact surface (3), a second contact body (4) with a second outward-facing contact surface (5) arranged so that the second contact surface is parallel to and faces away from the first contact surface, one or more brackets (6), each of which are rotatably connected to the first contact body and to the second contact body, such that when the one or more brackets are rotated, the first contact body and the second contact body are displaced in relation to each other by a translation, which changes the distance between the first contact surface and the second contact surface, and means (7, 8, 9, 10) for rotating the one or more brackets, wherein the direction of the translation has a component parallel to the planes of the first contact surface and the second contact surface, the brackets are forced to rotate by applying oppositely directed forces to the first contact body and the second contact body, respectively, in directions substantially parallel to the planes of the first contact surface and the second contact surface, and said forces are applied by rotating a threaded rod (8) engaging with an internal thread arranged within the first contact body or within a flange (9) connected thereto, said threaded rod being directly or indirectly in physical contact with the second contact body.

The adjustable shim according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the first contact body and/or the second contact body are at least partly made from a metal, such as steel or aluminium.

The adjustable shim according to any of the preceding claims, wherein a width of the first contact surface and/or the second contact surface is in the range between 0.5 cm and 10 cm, preferably between 1 cm and 8 cm, most preferably between 1.5 cm and 4 cm.

The adjustable shim according to any of the preceding claims, wherein a length of the first contact surface and or the second contact surface is in the range between 5 cm and 40 cm, preferably between 10 cm and 35 cm, most preferably between 15 cm and 30 cm.

The adjustable shim according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the minimum distance between the first contact surface and the second contact surface less than 4 cm, preferably less than 2 cm, most preferably less than 1.2 cm.

The adjustable shim according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the maximum distance between the first contact surface and the second contact surface is in the range between 1 cm and 10 cm, preferably between 1.5 cm and 8 cm, most preferably between 2 cm and 5 cm.

Use of one or more adjustable shims according to any of the preceding claims for positioning and fixating a window frame or a door frame when mounting it in an opening in a wall.