GB2070674A

GB2070674A - Apparatus for fixing a frame

Info

Publication number: GB2070674A
Application number: GB8101539A
Authority: GB
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1980-01-17
Filing date: 1981-01-19
Publication date: 1981-09-09
Also published as: ES265200Y; ATA11481A; GB2070674B; NL192996B; NL8100202A; FR2475107A1; ES265200U; ES269215U; NL192996C; AT380723B; FR2475107B1; ES269215Y; CH652165A5

Abstract

Apparatus for fixing a U-shaped frame 20 to a wall 57, consisting of a Z-shaped support portion 30, a retaining portion 51 and a clamping portion 58 which are profiled for interengagement as shown in Figs. 5, 6 and 8... 12 (not shown) and bolted together adjustably to accommodate different thicknesses of walls 57. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Apparatus for fixing a frame This invention relates to apparatus for fixing a frame, for example to a garage door opening.

For the continuous production of frames from lacquered strip material, this material must be produced by means of forming rollers for example, to produce a finished frame which does not require any further processing, having regard to its lacquered finish.

If these frames are manufactured in the factory as a single unit, for example for singleleaf overhead garage doors, care must be taken to ensure that the already lacquered frame does not require further finishing at the place of installation, e.g. the mounting of clamping means for attaching the frame to the door lintel, and more particularly the welding on of carriers and the need for drilling or the like should be avoided.

The aim of the invention is therefore to provide apparatus for fixing such a frame by means of which the frame can easily be fixed to walls of various kinds without any further treatment.

According to the invention there is provided apparatus for fixing a frame, for example to a garage door opening, consisting of a support portion and a retaining structure, wherein the frame is U-shaped in cross-section and has two legs of different lengths the inner surfaces of which act as bearing surfaces for the said support portion, the longer leg being bent inwardly twice substantially at right angles and forming an abutment for the support portion, and the support portion being substantially Z-shaped in cross-section and adapted to the cross-section of the frame, the first leg of the Z being associated with the shorter leg of the frame and the second leg of the Z being associated with the longer leg of the frame, both legs of the Z comprising bearing surfaces for the legs of the frame and the edge of the second leg of the Z comprising an abutment bearing surface, characterised in that the free edge of the first leg of the Z comprises a flange which abuts on the web of the frame, the free edge of at least one leg of the Z has a chamfer on one side, the first leg of the Z has an indentation, and the second leg of the Z has a convex portion forming a groove, whilst the retaining structure, which is releasably secured by means of an auxiliary retaining fishplate between said indentation and the shorter leg of the frame, consists of a screw, a retaining portion and a clamping portion, the retaining portion comprising the said auxiliary retaining fishplate and a guide portion extending at right angles thereto and resting in the said groove, and the clamping portion comprising two guide legs which are guided in longitudinally movable manner between the Z-web of the support portion and the guide portion, and a clamp strap extending substantially at right angles to the guide legs and capable of being applied to a wall surface of the building, said clamping portion being fixed by means of the said screw engaging on the retaining portion.

The support portion constructed according to the invention can readily be fixed in the free cross section of the frame, by being inserted at an angle into the free cross section in such a way that the chamfer is aligned more or less parallel to the U-web of the frame. The support portion is then located so that the leg bearing surfaces of the two Z-legs come to abut on the insides of the legs of the frame. Moreover, when rotation is carried out, the support web bearing surface of the support portion comes to abut on the inside of the U-web and rests thereon in such a way that the abutment bearing surface of the other Z-leg also abuts on the abutment of the frame which is in the form of a pocket.The support portion is thus fixed in frictionally locking manner relative to the longitudinal direction of the frame, whereas, in the direction perpendicular thereto, it is fixed in positively locking manner in the free cross section of the frame.

Moreover, the support portion makes it possible to provide a joint between the frame and various retaining structures adapted to the particular characteristics of the wall. These retaining structures comprise either a clamping portion or a retaining portion.

Two embodiments of the invention will now be described by way of example and with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 shows a frame with a support portion inserted, in an isometric partial section according to Fig. 3; Figure 2 shows the support portion without the frame viewed along the line il shown in Fig. 1; Figure 3 shows the support portion according to Fig. 2, in plan view; Figure 4 shows the support portion according to Fig. 3, in side elevation; Figure 5 shows a first embodiment of a clamping portion; Figure 6 shows the clamping portion of Fig.

5, viewed from below; Figure 7 shows the retaining structure inserted in the frame; Figure 8 shows the retaining portion in plan view; Figure 9 shows a section along IX-IX according to Fig. 8; Figure 10 shows a second embodiment of a retaining portion, in elevation; Figure 11 shows the retaining portion according to Fig. 10, in plan view; Figure 12 shows the second embodiment of a retaining structure, inserted in the frame.

The U-shaped fram generally designated 20 in Fig. 1 comprises two legs 21, 22, the longer of which, 21, is bent inwards twice substantially at right angles to form an abutment 23, whilst the shorter 22 has a portion 24 bent outwards substantially at right angles. The Uweb 25 of the frame comprises planar portions 26, 27 aligned with each other and adjoining the two legs 21, 22 at right angles.

Adjoining each of these portions 26, 27 is a region 28 bent slightly inwards, these regions being connected to each other by a substantially U-shaped recessed portion 29 retracted inwards and having a resilient action for the legs 21, 22. The support portion, generally designated 30, is inserted in the free cross section of the frame 20. This support portion 30 is substantially Z-shaped in cross section, whilst the Z-legs 32, 33 joined together by the Z-web 31 form co-operating leg bearing surfaces 34, 35, at their sides remote from each other, with the insides of the legs 21, 22 serving as bearing surfaces. The free end of the first leg 32 of the Z comprises a flange 36 co-operating with the U-web 25 formed as a support (Fig. 1), this flange extending parallel to the Z-web 31.The free end of the second leg 33 of the Z comprises an abutment bearing surface 37 co-operating with the longer leg 21 which is constructed as an abutment 23, said abutment bearing surface 37 extending perpendicularly to the direction of the Z-web 31.

The two Z-legs 32, 33 each comprise, at their free end, chamfers 38, 39 provided on opposite sides, so that the support portion 30 can be inserted at an angle into the free Ushaped cross section of the frame 20 and then be fixed in the frame 20 by rotating it, for example using a tool. The flange 36 is supported on the planar region 26 of the Uweb 25 and the abutment bearing surface 37 is pushed into the abutment 23 which is in the form of a pocket, the leg bearing surfaces 34, 35 abutting firmly on the insides of the legs 21, 22. Thus, in the longitudinal direction of the frame, the support portion 30 is fixed in frictionally locking manner by means of the abutment bearing surface 37, the leg bearing surfaces 34, 35 and possibly the flange 36.In the perpendicular direction, on the other hand, a positively locking grip is obtained by means of which various other components, e.g. retaining portions for securing the frame, may be attached to the support portion.

The flange 36 extending at right angles towards the second leg 33 of the Z extends at the free end of the side opposite the chamfer 38 and ends at a spacing from the chamfer 38 substantially in the central part of the first leg 32 of the Z. The leg bearing surface 34 of the first leg 32 of the Z comprises an indentation, generally designated 40, which extends as far as the Z-web 31 and ends at a spacing in front of the free edge of the first leg 32 of the Z. In outline, the indentation 40 is substantially rectangular in its first region 41, having a conical or, preferably, trapezoidal region 42 adjoining it. Arranged in the central region of the indentation 40 is a raised oblong guide lug 43 which extends substantially to the plane of the leg bearing surface 34 of the first Z-leg.Moreover, securing holes 44 are provided in the leg bearing surface 34 and securing holes 45 are provided in the region of the indentation 40, these holes being in the form of simple bores, oblong holes or threaded bores. Securing holes 46 are also provided in the region of the Z-web 31.

The second leg 33 of the Z is of meandering construction (Figs. 1 and 4). It comprises a convexity 48 facing towards the first leg 32 of the Z, so as to form a groove 47, this convexity 48 being U-shaped in cross section and extending parallel to the Z-web 31. The web 49 of the convexity 48 is flat and divides up the leg bearing surface 35 of the second leg 33 of the Z. The free end of the second Zleg 33 comprises a flap 50 bent towards the first Z-leg 32 and extending from the region adjacent the convexity 48 towards the first leg 32 of the Z, and, at its free end, forming the abutment bearing surface 37. The abutment bearing surface 37 is at a smaller spacing from the leg bearing surface 35 of the second Z-leg 33 than is the web 49 of the convexity 48 and is therefore not as high as the latter.

Like the web 49 of the convexity 48, the bent away portion of the flap 50 forming the abutment bearing surface 37 is planar and parallel to the leg bearing surface 35 of the second Z-leg 33. The second chamfer 39 of the second Z-leg 33 entirely forms one side thereof and ends substantially in the central region thereof.

The following description of Figs. 5 to 9 describes a first embodiment of a retaining structure which is to be fixed to the support portion 30. First, a retaining portion 51 (Fig.

8, 9) is fixed to the support portion (30) (Fig.

7). The retaining portion 51 comprises an auxiliary retaining fishplate 52 the form of which is adapted to the indentation 40 in the support portion 30. Moreover, the auxiliary retaining fishplate 52 is provided in its central region with a guide channel 53 adapted to the guide lug 43 and with a securing hole 54.

Perpendicularly to the auxiliary retaining fishplate 52 there is mounted a guide portion 55 in the form of a plate which extends upwards at both ends with its flaps 56 extending above the portion of the auxiliary retaining fishplate 52 which is bent out of the plate.

The retaining portion 51 is fixed on the support portion 30 in such a way that the auxiliary retaining fishplate 52 is secured between the indentation 40 of the support portion 30 and the shorter leg 22 of the frame 20, whereas the guide portion 55 is supported, in its lower region, on that part of the groove 47 which is remote from the Z-web 31 of the support portion 30, and the outside of the guide portion 55 abuts on a portion of the wall 57, shown schematically, for example the wall of a garage (Fig. 7).

The clamping portion 58 (Figs. 5 and 6) comprises guide legs 59 which, viewed in cross section (Fig. 6), are convex, their convexity facing towards the guide portion 55 of the retaining portion 51, and extend parallel to each other. Adjoining the two guide legs 59 is a connecting area 60 which connects said guide legs 59 and which is constructed, in the region of transition to a clamp strap 61 adjoining the guide legs 59 substantially at right angles, as a turned-back connecting area 62 in the direction opposite to the convexity of the guide legs 59. In the turned-back connecting area 62, near the transition area, there is a bore 63, whilst a cutout 64 is provided in the connecting area 62 in alignment with the axis of the said bore 63.

At its free end, the clamp strap 61 is slightly bent in one region 65 towards the guide legs 59. This bent region 55 comprises claws 66 in the corner regions.

The clamping portion 58 is inserted between the guide portion 55 of the retaining portion 51 and the Z-web 31 of the support portion 30 in such a way that the convexities of the guide legs 59 face the guide portion 55 of the retaining portion 51 and are guided in longitudinally moveable manner in the direction of the guide legs 59, so that a cutaway region 67 (Fig. 5) between the two guide legs 59 of the clamping portion 58 Ieves the region of the bent auxiliary retaining fish plate 52 of the retaining portion 51 free.Through the bore 63, a screw 68 (sche matically shown in the drawing) is inserted, the head of which abuts on the top oz the clamp strap 61 of the clamping portion 58, the screw extending through the recess 64 in the connecting area 62 right into the securing hole 54 in the auxiliary retaining fishplate 52, which may be in the form oF a threaded bore, for exar,plo. in this way, the clamping portion 5i3 can be securely fixed to the frame 20 in various guide positions by means of Xhe screw 68 (Fi9. 7j, the clamp strap 61 abutting with its bent region 66 on the wall 57 or the like so as to secure the frame 20 immoveably.

Figs. 1O to 12 show a second preferred embodiment of a clamping portion 70. The latter comprises an auxiliary retaining fishplate 71 the form of which is adapted to the indentation 40 of the support portion 30 and which comprises a guide channel 73 co-operating with the guide lug 43.

Adjoining the auxiliary retaining fishplate 71 is a clamp strap 74 extending substantially at right angles thereto and comprising retaining holes in the form of oblong holes 75, 76.

Two indents 77 are located in the central region of the clamp strap 74, on the longitudinal sides thereof. In the region of the connecting line between the two indents 77, additional indents 78 facing the indents 77 are located in the region of the oblong hole 76 so as to project beyond the diameter thereof, with the result that in the region of the connecting line 77, a bending point is produced by means of which the upper part of the clamp strap 74 can be bent away (Fig.

12).

The retaining portion 70 is fixed, with its auxiliary retaining fishplate 71, between the indentation 40 of the support portion 30 and the shorter leg 22 of the frame 20, for example by means of a screw 80 (shown schematically), one portion of the retaining strap 74 abutting on the outside of a portion 24 of the shorter leg 22 of the frame 20, said portion 24 being bent outwards, again sub & antially at right angles (Fig. 12).

Claims

1. Apparatus for fixing a frame, for example to a garage door opening, consisting of a support portion and a retaining structure, wherein the frame is U-shaped in cross section and has two legs of different lengths the inner surfaces of which act as bearing surfaces for the said support portion, the longer leg being bent inwardly twice sulbstantially at right angles and forming an abutment for the support portion, and the support portion being substantially Z-shaped in cross section and adapted to the cross section of the frame, the first leg of the Z being associated with the shorter leg of the frame and the second leg of the Z being associated with the longer leg of the frame, bath legs of the Z comprising bearing surfaces for the legs of the frame and she edge of the second leg of the Z comprising an abutment bearing surface, characterised in that the free edge of the first leg of the Z comprises a flange which abuts on the web of the frame, the free edge of at least one leg of the Z has a chamfer on one side, the first leg of the Z has an indentation, and the second leg of the Z has a convex portion forming a groove, whilst the retaining structure, which is releasably secured by means of an auxiliary retaining fishplate between the said indentation and the shorter leg of the frame, consists of a screw, a retaining portion and a clamping portion, the retaining portion comprising the said auxiliary retaining fishplate and a guide portion extending at right angles thereto and resting in the said groove, and the clamping portion comprising two guide legs which are guided in longitudinally movable manner between the Z-web of the support portion and the guide portion, and a clamp strap extending substantially at right angles to the guide legs and capable of being applied to a wall surface of the building, said clamping portion being fixed by means of the said screw engaging on the retaining portion.

2. Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the said guide portion is in the form of a plate.

3. Apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the auxiliary retaining fishplate and the guide portion are integrally formed and, in addition to the auxiliary retaining fishplate, the guide portion comprises flaps which close with a portion, bent outwards at right angles, of the shorter leg of the frame.

4. Apparatus according to any of claims 1 to 3, wherein the auxiliary retaining fishplate of the retaining portion comprises a guide channel for a guide lug in the region of the indentation of the support portion.

5. Apparatus according to any of claims 1 to 4, wherein the clamping portion is cut away in the central region between the guide legs.

6. Apparatus according to any of claims 1 to 5, wherein the guide legs are convex in cross section, the convexity being directed towards the guide portion of the retaining portion.

7. Apparatus according to any of claims 1 to 6, wherein, adjoining the two guide legs, there is a connecting area connecting the legs, its region of transition of the clamp strap being turned back in the direction opposite to the direction of convexity of the guide legs.

8. Apparatus according to claim 7 wherein, near the region of transition from the clamp strap to the turned back connecting area connecting the guide legs, a bore is provided, and a recess aligned with the axis thereof is provided in the connecting area.

9. Apparatus according to any of claims 1 to 8, wherein the clamp strap is bent slightly towards the guide legs at its free end.

10. Apparatus according to any of claims 1 to 9, wherein the bent portion of the clamp strap comprises claws in the corner region.

11. Apparatus according to any of claims 1 to 10, wherein the indentation extends up to the Z-web.

12. Apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the guide lug is of raised, oblong construction and extends no higher than the bearing surface of the leg.

13. Apparatus according to claim 12, wherein the guide lug is mounted substantially in the central region of the indentation.

14. Apparatus according to any of claims 1 to 13, wherein the indentation is of substantially rectangular configuration with a trapezoidal region adjoining it.

15. Apparatus for fixing a frame, for example to a garage door opening, consisting of a support portion and a retaining structure, wherein the frame is U-shaped in cross section and has two legs of different lengths the inner surfaces of which act as bearing surfaces for the said support portion, the longer leg being bent inwardly twice substantially at right angles and forming an abutment for the support portion, and the support portion being substantially Z-shaped in cross section and adapted to the cross section of the frame, the first leg of the Z being associated with the shorter leg of the frame and the second leg of the Z being associated with the longer leg of the frame, both legs of the Z comprising bearing surfaces for the legs of the frame and the edge of the second leg of the Z comprising an abutment bearing surface, characterised in that the free edge of the first leg of the Z comprises a flange which abuts on the web of the frame, the free edge of at least one leg of the Z has a chamfer on one side, the first leg of the Z has an indentation, and the second leg of the Z has a convex portion forming a groove, whilst the retaining structure, which is releasably secured by means of an auxiliary retaining fishplate between the said indentation and the shorter leg of the frame, consists of a screw and a retaining portion, the retaining portion comprising the auxiliary retaining fishplate and a retaining strap extending at right angles thereto.

16. Apparatus according to claim 15, wherein the auxiliary retaining fishplate of the retaining portion has a contour adapted to the indentation.

17. Apparatus according to claim 15 or 16, wherein the auxiliary retaining fishplate of the retaining portion has a guide channel adapted to the guide lug of the indentation.

18. Apparatus according to any of claims 15 to 1 7, wherein the retaining strap comprises retaining holes.

19. Apparatus according to claim 18, wherein the retaining holes are in the form of oblong holes.

20. Apparatus according to any of claims 15 to 19, wherein the retaining strap comprises indents.

21. Apparatus according to claim 20, wherein the indents are arranged in a straight line so as to form a bending area.

22. Apparatus according to any of claims 1 to 21, wherein the bent portion of the clamp strap comprises claws in the corner region.

23. Apparatus according to any of claims 1 to 22, the leg bearing surface of the second leg of the Z is planar, the abutment bearing surface being formed by a bent end portion of the second leg of the Z.

24. Apparatus according to claim 23, wherein the auxiliary retaining portion comprises, at one end of the guide portion, a bent portion which is fixed to the second leg of the Z.

25. Apparatus according to claim 23 or 24, wherein the bent portion is welded on to the second leg of the Z.

26. Apparatus according to claim 25, wherein the bent portion is attached by spot welding.

27. Apparatus for fixing a frame, for ex ample to a garage door opening, substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to Figs. 1 to 9 of the accompanying drawings.

28. Apparatus according to claim 27 but modified substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to Figs. 10 to 12 of the accompanying drawings.