GB2316972A

GB2316972A - Adjustable threshold

Info

Publication number: GB2316972A
Application number: GB9723635A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Graham Downey
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1993-07-22
Filing date: 1994-07-22
Publication date: 1998-03-11
Also published as: GB9723635D0

Abstract

An adjustable threshold bar comprises a first member for fixing to the floor or cill of a frame, a second member which is adjustably fitted within the first member and adjusting members to adjust the height of the second member. Figs 36-41 (not shown) illustrate a cill with vertical adjustment screws, Fig 42 illustrates a cill with horizontal adjustment screws 524 which pivot a member 526 about an axis 528 to contact the second member 512 and Fig 44 illustrates a cill with vertical adjustment screws 524.

Description

ADJUSTMENT DEVICE The present invention relates to an adjustment device and, in particular, to an adjustment device for a door, window or similar closure for an opening.

In the following description the term 'door' is to be taken to include a door, window or the like or any similar panel for fitting within a frame or rebated frame.

It is known that wooden doors, either hardwood or softwood, sometimes swell for example, due to water penetration, especially in wet weather, or during winter. The conventional cure for this, is to plane the door along one or more sides thereof, usually either on the hinge side or on the lock side of the door in order to prevent the door from jamming. This operation is particularly tedious and time consuming as the door generally has to be removed from its frame, and either the hinges or the lock removed before planing can be carried out. Once sufficient material has been removed from the side of the door, the hinges or lock have to be rebated in the door again and re-fixed. If the door has been vamished or painted, some restoration work (such as re-painting or re-varnishing) will also be necessary.

Alternatively, the door may be planed while hanging in the frame in which case material is removed from the lock side of the door at the location where it catches or jams with the frame. Although this is an easier way of remedying the problem, as the door does not have to be removed first, it usually makes an unsightly mess of the door itself. On re-hanging the door, the problem of the door jamming may well have been cured. However, once the dry weather returns, the door will actually shrink and cause unacceptable gaps to appear down the side of the door.

Further alterations will then be required, usually packing small objects behind the hinges, or fitting a strip of material down the side of the door, or frame, in order to close the gaps. This problem is now particularly apparent on the new type doors which are being sold, and fitted in abundance such as the Carolina, Kentucky, Elizabethan, Windsor type doors which are very "dry" when bought and fitted.

The present invention seeks to overcome the above mentioned disadvantages by providing a method of fixing the door whereby the door can be adjusted in the frame by means of adjustment devices which allow movement of the door from left to right, or right to left, whilst the door is fixed in the frame.

An object of the invention is to provide an adjustment device as a remedy, or cure for doors or the like, particularly in houses, shops, offices and the like that swell due to water penetration and sticks or jam in the frame making opening or closing of the door difficult.

In general adjustment devices applied to doors and frames are likely to be an increased security risk since a person can wedge a screwdriver or other tool between the door/frame and the device and prise the door open.

A further object of the present invention is to provide an adjustment device which provides increased security in use.

According to one aspect of the invention there is provided an adjustment device for adjusting the relative position of a panel within a frame comprising one or more adjusting means, each such adjusting means comprising a first member adapted for fixing to the frame, a second member adapted for fixing to the panel and one or more adjusting members connecting the first and second members so that the first and second members are adjustable one relative to the other. The adjustment device may include a concealing means which may be adapted to be adjustably fitted to the frame or panel to at least partially conceal any gap formed between the hinged side of the panel and the frame. The adjusting members may comprise rods, bolts, screws or the like. The adjusting members may further include a block such as a wedge mounted for movement along such a rod, bolt or screw. The first and second members may be formed as an integral piece. Preferably the first member is directly secured to the frame and second member is indirectly secured to the panel via for example a hinge means.

The concealing means may be formed as an integral part of the first and/or second members.

The first member may comprise plate means or a channel section member or a member having an L-shaped profile. The second member may comprise a hinge means, block means, plate means or a channel section member.

Preferably the first member comprises a channel section member and the second member comprises a channel section member which fits within the channel of the first member. Each of the first and second members may be provided with apertures for receiving the adjusting members such as bolts or screws.

Preferably, in use, rotation of the adjusting member causes one of the first and second members to move towards or away from the other member depending on the direction of rotation of the adjusting member. Preferably spring means is provided between the first and second members.

The invention also provides for an adjustment device as described where one or more of the features described as adapted for fitting to the panel and frame respectively are instead adapted for fitting to the frame and panel respectively so that the frame is adjustable relative to the panel. Thus, the second member may be fitted directly to the frame and the first member may be fitted directly or indirectly to the panel. The first and second members may comprise an integral member.

The second member may be provided with a projection which extends along a portion of the panel to provide added security. Preferably the second member has a channel shaped cross-section and the projection extends from the channel base on the side opposite to the channel.

Preferably one leg of a channel section first member comprises the concealing means.

Gasket means may be provided between any of the frame, panel and first member on the side remote from the hinge. Edging means may be provided between the frame and the first member on the side adjacent the hinge.

The adjustment device may be self adjusting, manually adjustable or both. Guide means may be provided for securing to the frame or panel on the side remote from the location of the adjustment device to aid self adjustment. The adjustment device may include a locking system which preferably comprises an apertured plate for securing to the frame at the side remote from the location of the adjustment device.

The invention further provides for an assembly comprising a panel, a frame and an adjustment device of the invention. The assembly may include guide means and/or a locking system.

The invention still further provides for a kit of parts comprising the elements necessary to assembly and fit an adjustment device of the invention to a frame/panel structure.

Preferred embodiments of the features of the invention are described below but it will be appreciated that any suitable mechanical equivalent of the described features may be used.

The device of the invention involves fixing adjustable hinges to the door and frame, either two, three or more or possibly one long adjustable hinge down the side of the door. The adjustment hinges may comprise standard or conventional hinges and a fixing plate. The standard hinges, whether brass, steel or any other material will not have to be altered, or if so, not much. Conventional hinges are fixed directly to the door frame by means of for example, wood screws. In the present invention the adjustment becomes possible by not fixing the hinges to the door frame by means of wood screws, but by means of fixing them to a fixed plate which is secured to the frame by wood screws. The fixed plate may have drilled, and tapped holes that will align with the fixing holes of the standard hinges that are fixed to the door. The tapped holes in the fixed plate will accept screws of an appropriate size, thread etc. The fixing of the door will occur when the standard hinge/hinges are fitted to the door and the fixed plates are fixed to corresponding positions on the door frame. The fixing screws will pass through the standard door hinges on the door and screw into the threaded holes on the fixed plate. This then has the effect of hanging the door.

Preferably there will be four fixing points, or holes through the hinges, but there could be more than, or less than four. Preferably two or more of the holes will be used for fixing, per hinge, and two or more will be used to adjust, or fixing and adjusting could be brought about using any combination of fixing/adjusting. The embodiment shown in the drawings has two fixing and two adjusting apertures per hinge. The amount of adjustment available will be governed by the length of the adjusting screws.

Alternatively, adjustment may be achieved by placing springs behind the hinge of suitable strength, i.e. placed between the fixed plate and hinge on the door, thus having the effect of semi-self adjusting. All that would then be required is to slacken off the fixing screws, and the springs would maintain pressure behind the hinge to stabilise the door, i.e. screw out to reduce the gaps, or screw in to increase the gap. Alternatively, any expandable material could be placed behind the hinges to maintain pressure (see drawings). Thus, it is preferable to have one or more screws per hinge, to hold the door in place, i.e. passed through the front of the hinge, and one or more screws placed behind the hinge, pressing on the back of the hinge.

i.e. one or more screws 'pulling" the hinge towards the frame, and one or more screws "pushing" the hinge away from the door frame. Also the fixed plate will be fixed to the frame using pre-drilled holes through it in appropriate positions. One or more of said holes could also be slotted so as to give further adjustment of door either up or down, or in and out. Also slotted holes in the door hinges could be used for the same effect.

In view of the above, it will be noted that when the door actually narrows, or shrinks, particularly in the drier months, maximum adjustment of the door may be required, i.e. movement of the door over to the lock side. When this has been carried out, it will be obvious that there will be a large and unsightly gap on the hinge side. A further aspect of the invention overcomes this problem.

The invention provides a strip, preferably of plastics, but any other suitable material may be used, to conceal or fill the gap. Said strip may be angular or L-shaped to fit the hinge side of the frame, and preferably fits neatly around the corner of the frame giving a false edge. Said strip or filler could be fitted under and/or over the hinge with holes pre-drilled or not.

Alternatively, the strip could be supplied with cut outs for the hinge/hinges.

Said strip could also be fixed to or integral with the hinge/hinges and manufactured in a complete kit form. Alternatively, hinge and plates could be supplied separately i.e. one, two or more hinges could be purchased separately and the purchaser would select his own strip filler. Once the kit has been fitted to a door and frame, the strip could either be fixed to the hinges and would, therefore, automatically follow the door on adjustment or could be moved manually once adjustment has taken place, by means of screws through slots on the front or inside the door frame. One or more fixing points could be used. Screws could be capped off using suitable screw caps. Adjustment of the strip could also be brought about using springs or expandable material placed behind it, i.e. draught excluder, to effect automatic adjustment. Alternatively, instead of being L-shape, the filler could be flat and placed between the door and frame, or on the inside of the frame to cover the gap. Also each hinge and plate kit could be fitted with its own small strip so as to conceal the gap behind the hinges only.

Said strips could also be fitted to the door on any side, hinge or lock side, or fixed to the lock side of the frame to fill the gap. Said strip filler could also be fitted to the top of the frame so as to fill the top gap on the door when up and down adjustment is required. Kits could be supplied with both side-to-side and up and down adjustment facility. The strips may be supplied colour coded, or white or brown or rolls of colour coded tape may be used, the required colour being selected to match door and/or frame for decoration purposes.

Thus, using the adjusting kits of the invention it is possible to fit the kit either when fitting a new door or fitting it to an existing door which is persistently giving trouble jamming. Adjustment may be made from as little as 1/16 of an inch movement to any length (depending on the door size) but preferably gives a range at least l/16" to V21. The adjustment is determined by slackening and fixing of screws and can therefore be less or more than U16 of an inch. The fixing screws may be either slotted, crossed, hexagonal recess (i.e. Allen) or bolt head or star headed. The device of the invention also gives the advantage of being able to square or correctly align the door in the frame by adjustment of the hinges.

Previously known adjustment methods have had to be carried out by means of planing the door, or re-packing behind the hinges etc., which methods are time consuming and tedious, especially where a door has just been fitted. Using the adjustment device of the invention, the adjustment operation can be carried out in minutes, and usually using only one cross screwdriver or similar suitable tool.

Any door that is fitted in a door frame, especially timber doors will expand and shrink according to the atmospheric conditions or weather conditions. This obviously causes problems in that on the one hand the door will stick or jam and on the other hand the door will have large and unacceptable gaps down each side of the door. Thus, problems may arise with draughts and security in that for example the lock mechanisms move away from the lock keepers on the frame as the door shrinks. The invention seeks to solve these problems by providing adjustable hinge mechanisms for fitting to the door so that the door is adjustable from left to right and vice versa within its frame and by providing a strip filler to fit, or cover the corresponding variable gap between the door and frame. Special type fixing screws could be used to hang the door, using locknuts, or inner and outer shafts to effect adjustment. The hinge(s) and plate(s) could be made to separate, for example, the door could be lifted on or off the fixing points whilst the door is in the open position. Alternatively, the hinge pin could be specially designed so as the pin itself could effect on adjustment i.e. a cranked or turned pin. Adjustment could also be brought about using fixing screws to hold the door with lock nuts behind the hinge (see drawings).

Any suitable modification of the adjustment device is possible. For example, although the filler strip is preferably either L-shaped or flat, in fact the filler strip could be any suitable shape, length, profile or width and may comprise any suitable material. The hinges could also have tapped holes so that the fixing screws would engage both the fixing plates and the hinges.

One or more of the fixing holes on the fixed plates or hinges could be of the keyhole type i.e. keyhole shaped so that the door can be lifted on or off the fixing points. As an aid to security for the door and frame, the adjusting device or fixing kits may include automatic type pin bolts which, when fitted to the hinge side of the door frame, engage into holes in the frame when the door is closed, to help prevent prising of the door from the hinge side (see drawing). The fixing screws may be sleeved with rollers so as to inhibit or prevent cutting through with hacksaws and the like. The gap may be filled with reinforced strips such as metal strips prior to fixing the top strip or finishing strip to aid security. The invention also includes the possibility of having a fixed plate fitted to the door, and hinge fitted to the frame and the description of the above described embodiments should be construed accordingly. The hinges may have two or more relatively hinged members with built in adjusters. The hinges and hinge members may have any suitable length or width and may comprise any suitable material and have any number of fixing holes, which may have any suitable shape or size. Cam type adjusters could also be used to effect movement of the door.

Shims, fillers, packers, plates, nuts, bolts, screws, wedges of moulded, serrated, knurled, sprung, self adjusting, semi self adjusting or manually adjusted hinge sets could be used. Ratchet type adjusters could be employed, so that slackening of the fixing screws allows the ratchet, whether or not spring loaded, to push the door across or away from the hinge side of the frame towards the lock side. To re-adjust back the ratchet mechanism would have to be released and the fixing screws re-tightened.

The fixing screws may be constructed of two parts, an inner and an outer, or male and female parts (see drawings). The inner part of the screw may fit into the outer part of the screw, with a standard hinge therebetween.

Once this insertion has been carried out, the screws would be fixed relative to the hinge. The inner part of the screw may either be screwed or push or snap fitted into the outer part.

The present invention will now be described further by way of example only and with specific reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Fig. I shows a front view of a door and frame assembly incorporating an adjustment device according to the invention; Fig. 2 is a plan view of the assembly; Fig. 3 is a partial front view showing the assembly without the gap concealer; Fig. 4 is an enlarged partial plan view corresponding to Fig. 2; Fig. 5 is an enlarged partial front view corresponding to Fig. 3; Fig. 6 is a partial front view of a second alternative embodiment of the assembly; Fig. 7 shows front views of a hinge and plate of the assembly; Fig 8 is a partial front view of a third alternative embodiment of the assembly; Fig. 9 is an enlarged view of the third alternative embodiment of Fig. 8; Fig. 10 is a front view of a second alternative embodiment of a hinge and plate assembly; Fig. 11 is an exploded perspective view of a hinge and plate portion of the assembly; Fig. 12 is a front view of a third alternative embodiment of a plate of the assembly.

Fig. 13 is a plan view of a door and frame assembly incorporating a fourth alternative embodiment of adjustment device; Fig. 14 is a front view of a fourth alternative embodiment of a plate of the assembly; Fig. 15 is a plan view of a fifth embodiment of the assembly; Fig. 16 is a front view of the assembly of Fig. 15; Fig. 17 is a plan view of an alternative embodiment of adjustment device; Fig. 18(a) is a plan view of the base member 62; Fig. 18(b) is a side view of the base member as shown in Figure 18(a); Fig. 18(c) is a plan view of the rear wall member 66; Fig 19(a) is a plan view of the base 72; Fig. 19(b) is a side view of the base as shown in Figure 19(a); Fig 20 is a side view of one embodiment of adjustment screw; Fig. 21 is a view of the adjustment device of Figure 17 as seen along the arrow A; Fig. 22 is a cross-sectional view of one embodiment of a seal; Fig. 23 is a plan view of variation of the embodiment of adjustment device shown in Figure 17; Fig. 24 is a cross-sectional view of an alternative form of channel section member 70; Fig. 25 is a plan view of panel modified for use with the adjustment device of Figure 23; Fig. 26 is a plan view of a further embodiment of adjustment device; Fig. 27 is a plan view of the block 100; Fig. 28 is a plan view of a self adjusting frame and panel assembly; Fig. 29 is a front view of the frame and panel assembly of Figure 28; Fig. 30 is a front view of a frame and panel assembly showing location of adjustment device and locking system; Fig. 31 is a plan view of the assembly of Figure 30; Fig. 32 is a perspective view of a locking plate; Figs. 33 to 35 are plan views of alternative embodiments of adjustment device; Fig. 36 is an underplan view of a first member of an adjustable cill; Fig. 37 is a perspective view of the first member of Figure 36; Fig. 38 is an exploded partial perspective view of an adjustable cill of the invention; Fig, 39 shows perspective and cross-sectional views of the second member of the cill; Fig. 40 shows front views showing possible variations of an adjustable cili; Fig. 41 shows four possible embodiments of second members of the adjustable cill; Fig. 42 shows a cross-sectional view of an alternative embodiment of cill of the invention with front adjustment; Fig. 43 shows a front view of a cill of the invention in usee; and Fig. 44 is a cross-sectional view of the cili in use.

Referring to the drawings, an assembly 1 comprises a door 2 fitted within a frame 4 by means of an adjustment device 6.

The adjustment device 6 comprises one or more adjusting means 8 and an adjustable concealing means 10 which, in use, conceals or covers any gap 12 formed between the door 2 and the frame 4. The concealing means 10 is an elongate L-shaped strip which is secured to the frame 4 by means of fixing screws 14 passing through slots formed in the strip so that the strip is adjustable relative to the frame. Appropriate adjustment of the strip allows gaps of different widths to be concealed. The strip may be spring-biased to conceal the gap so that the strip adjusts automatically to conceal any gap formed when the door/frame is adjusted.

The adjusting means 8 comprises a plate 16 secured to the frame 4 by means of wood screws 18 and a hinge 20, part of which is secured to the door 2 by means of wood screws 22 and part of which is adjustably secured to the plate 16 by means of adjusting screws 24 and fixing screws 26. The adjusting screws 24 allow adjustment of the hinge 20 relative to the fixed plate 16 by means of a threaded portion of the adjusting screws 24 engaging threaded holes in the plate 16 or by means of the threaded portion engaging threaded lock nuts 28 provided between the hinge 20 and the plate 16, as shown in the embodiment of Fig.

6.

However, it will be appreciated that any other suitable means of adjustment may be used.

Referring to Fig. 7, the fixed plate 16 has one or more slotted apertures 30 and one or more circular apertures 32 through which the wood screws 18 and the fixing and adjusting screws 26, 24 are respectively received. The slotted apertures 30 allow adjustment of the plate 16 relative to the frame 4 and consequent adjustment of the door 2 relative to frame 4.

The hinge 20 may be a standard hinge having two plate members 34, 36 relatively pivotally hinged at 38. Plate members 34, 36 have apertures 40 which may be threaded for receiving the adjusting and fixing screws 24, 26 and the fixing screws 22 respectively so that plate member 34 is secured to the door 2 and plate member 36 is adjustably secured to the plate member 16.

Figs. 10 to 12 and 14 show alternative embodiments of the plate 16 with the slots 30 and holes 32 located in various positions. It will be seen from Fig. 12 and Fig. 14 that the slots 30 may be horizontal or vertical as required so that the door may be adjusted up and down as well as to left and right and in and out. Springs 42 are fitted to the plate 16 so as to provide pressure on the strip i.e. so that strip 10 is spring biased to conceal the gap 12. The holes 32 may be aligned in pairs as shown in Figs. 10 to 12 or may be all aligned in a single central axis of the plate as shown in Fig. 14. The latter arrangement gives better, more secure fixing to the door/frame.

Fig. 11 shows an alternative form of adjusting and fixing screws which consist of male and female portions 44 and 46 where the male portion 44 engages by snap fit or threadedly within an aperture formed in the female portion 46.

Referring to Figs. 8 and 9, an alternative embodiment of the adjusting means 8' comprises a ratchet auto adjusting device having fixed pins 48 which are fitted to the door 2 so that when the door is closed the pins 48 engage holes formed in the frame 4. This provides added security for example by inhibiting prising of the door from the frame.

Referring to Fig. 13, adjusting means 8 comprises a fixed plate 16 and hinge member 20 formed as an integral piece, adjustment of the hinge relative to the fixed plate or vice-versa being achieved by means of adjusting screws 24. The integral hinge and plate may be formed from plastics or may comprise a metal plate folded at 50 and having a hinge pin 52. Such an integral unit gives added security.

Figures 15 and 16 show an embodiment similar to that of Figure 13 but where an alternative type of adjusting member 24' is provided.

The adjusting member 24' comprises a part-threaded rod or bolt 54 disposed between the fixed plate 16 and the hinge 20 and extending towards and through the folded region 50. A wedge shaped block 56 is mounted on the rod 54 and an aperture through the wedge 56 threadedly engages with the threaded portion of the rod 54. Adjustment of the hinge 20 relative to the plate 16 is achieved by causing the wedge to be rotated along the threaded region of rod 54. Movement of the wedge towards the folded region 50 causes the door hinge to be horizontally displaced away from the plate 16, whereas movement of the wedge away from the folded region 50 cause the door hinge to adjust horizontally towards the plate 16 due to the resilience of the folded region 50.

This embodiment allows adjustment to be carried out from the front of the door/frame assembly while the door is in the closed position. The rod 54 may comprise a tamperproof screw such that the screw can be screwed in but cannot be screwed out.

A further embodiment of adjustment device 6 is shown in Figure 7, and comprises two components, an outer elongate channel section member 60 and an inner elongate channel section member 70. The adjustment device is attached to a frame 4 which has an interior surface 3 and an exterior surface 5. The member 60 comprises a base member 62, a front wall member 64 and a rear wall member 66. The front wall member 64 is exposed in use and provides effective concealment of the inner member 70.

Preferably the free end of the front wall member 64 is chamfered as shown at 66 to provide aesthetic appeal. The inner channel section member 70 comprises a base 72 and two side walls 74 and fits with the open channel of member 60 so that the free ends of the side walls 74 may abut the base member 62 of the channel section member 60.

Referring to Figures 18(a) to (c), the base member 62 is provided with four fixing apertures 80 which receive fixing screws for fixing the base to the frame 4 and similarly the rear wall member 66 has two apertures for receiving fixing screws for fixing the wall to the frame 4. The base member 62 is also provided with six apertures 82 for receiving hinge or adjustment screws as described below. In general none of the apertures 80,82 will be threaded. However, as shown in Figure 18(b), the six apertures 82 are provided with extensions 84 which have internal threaded apertures for engagement by the hinge or adjusting screws in use. The frame 4 is provided with six apertures corresponding in dimension with the extensions so that in use the extensions are received in the frame apertures so that the base member 62 abuts the frame surface. This provides stability for the channel section member 60 when located against the frame 4. It will be appreciated that the extensions 84 may be formed as part of inserts similar to inserts 90 as described below.

Referring to Figures 19(a) and (b), the base 72 is provided with four apertures 86 for receiving fixing screws for fixing a hinge to the base 72.

Two apertures 88 are provided each for receiving part of an insert 90. The inserts 90 have portions 92 which are a close fit in the apertures 88 and further extend portions 94 which extend around the apertures 88 and project into the space formed between the channel section members 60 and 70. The inserts 90 have apertures 96 extending therethrough which are generally not threaded. In use the adjustment screw heads will be received in the apertures 96. The inserts 90 may be secured in apertures 88 by any suitable means. In use the apertures 82 are in alignment with the apertures 86 and 88. Thus, in use four hinge screws extend through a hinge member (not shown), through the apertures 86 of base 72, through the aligned apertures 82 of base member 62 and part way into the frame 4.

Two adjustment screws extend from the inner channel section member 70 through the two most remote apertures 82 of the outer channel section member 60 and through into part of the frame 4. The adjustment screw heads project up into the apertures 96 of the inserts 90 so that they

It will be appreciated that all the element of the adjustment devices described may be made of any suitable material but preferably the elements are metal such as aluminium (anodised or not) and may be gold coated for example so that the adjustment device has an attractive appearance. The hinge, fixing and adjustment screws may be brass for example.

It will also be appreciated that the adjustment device illustrated is by way of example only. In particular the device may have any suitable dimension to fit any required size of frame/panel assembly and the number of fixing, hinge and adjustment screws required and the corresponding number of apertures in the various elements will depend on the dimension of the device and the assembly for which it is to be used. Typically larger, heavier frame/panel assemblies will require larger elements and more screws whereas a smaller version would for example provide three hinge holes/screws but otherwise would be similar in construction to the device described. In a smaller version the members 64 and 66 may have substantially the same dimension for example. It will also be appreciated that any of the edges of the components may be bevelled for example for aesthetic appearance. Sealing means may also be provided in the adjustment device for example between the two channel section members 60,70 for example as a seal insert or a strip attached to one of the device components. Such a seal may have any suitable cross-section and may for example comprise a plastic covered material, a coated foam or the like. A typical cross-section of an elongate seal which may be filled between the members 64 and 74 is shown in Figure 22 and comprises a lip portion which fits around the member 64, 68 a wall portion 102 which lies between the members 64 and 74 and a base portion 104 which lies along part of the base member 62.

In general, although not shown in Figure 17, a panel will be attached to the free member of a convention hinge, the hinge being located between the panel and the base 70 at the side adjacent the rear wall member 66.

The amount of travel provided by the spacing between the base member 62 and the base 72 may be chosen according to the adjustment range required and/or the dimensions of the adjustment device components.

It will be appreciated that although the configuration of the adjustment device is described as being fixed to the frame, this can be reversed and fitted to the door or panel. For darity, the fixing and adjustment screws have not been depicted in Figure 17.

Refening to Figure 23, a simple modification of the inner channel section member 70 provides a further advantage to the previously described door adjustment system. A simple lip 71 is added to the channel section profile which has the effect of retaining or securing the door within the frame, without relying on the hinge fixings to keep the door fixed within the frame. Thus, the lip 71 provides added security in that if the door were to be forced, the hinge side of the door would press against the lip 71 and therefore reinforce the door. Preferably the lip 71 is an integral part of the member 70. In order to accommodate the lip 71, the door or panel may be rebated at the hinge side as shown at 73 in Figure 25. It will be appreciated that a similar lip type projection may be provided on the member which is secured to the panel as described in any other embodiment of the invention.

For example a lip may be formed on the block 100 described below or on the hinge 20 as described.

Thus, the concealing strip or device which is fitted to the door or frame to conceal the gap can be made up of more than one component.

Preferably the concealing device is an integral part of the adjustment device.

For example, in the embodiment shown in Figure 17 the concealing means is provided by the member 64 or the combination of member 64 and member 74. It will be appreciated that any similar form of male and female members may be used in the embodiments of Figures 17 and 23.

Springs or spring loaded, expandable material can be placed between the components of the adjustment device so as to aid adjustment Thus, for example, springs may be mounted on the adjustment screws 24 between the base members 62 and 72. This provides a method of effecting automatic adjustment of the door within a frame which would reduce the frequency of manual adjustment required. Thus, the door would partially or partly adjust itself within the frame. This may be achieved by the use of springs on the hinge side of the door and preferably guides or locaters on the lock side of the door.

Referring to Figure 26 a further embodiment of adjustment device comprises a plate 16 secured to the frame by fixing screws 18. The plate 16 may have any suitable length and may be substantially similar to the plate 16 used in previously described embodiments. An adjustment block 100 is secured to one member 34 of a hinge, the panel 2 being secured to the other hinge member 36. In this case, the hinge screws preferably only extend part way into the block 100. As seen from Figure 27, two adjustment screw through apertures 102 are provided in the block 100 for receiving the adjustment screws (not shown). Preferably these apertures are provided with easily removable cover inserts such as plastic inserts or covers which are a push fit in the apertures so that the block surface provides an aesthetic appearance, the inserts being removed for access to the adjustment screws when adjustment is required. The inserts may alternatively fit directly onto the adjustment screw heads. This feature of cover inserts may be used with any of the embodiments of adjustment device described. The adjustment screws thus extend through the block 100 and into the plate 16 and preferably also into the frame 4. Preferably a spring is provided on each adjustment screw in the space between the plate 16 and block 100.

Nuts 110 may be provided in the frame 4 for receiving the ends of the adjustment screws (Figure 28). Upon adjustment, the block 100 moves towards or away from the plate 16 depending on the direction of rotation of each adjustment screw. The amount of travel possible is determined by the spacing between the plate 16 and the block or plate 100. In this embodiment the side edge 104 of the block 100 acts as the means of concealing the gap between the frame 4 and panel 2. The block 100 may comprise any suitable material but is preferably made of wood or plastic depending on the aesthetic appeal required and the frame panel assembly with which it is to be used. A removable edging 106 may be provided between the frame 4 and the hinge side of the adjustment device to act as a seal and/or an aesthetic concealing strip. The edging 106 is preferably metal but will generally be made of a material chosen to give aesthetic appeal to the particular assembly with which it is used. A gasket 108 may be provided between the other side of the panel and the frame 4. The gasket may be contoured to fit between the block 100, panel 2 and frame 4. The gasket may be plastic.

In the example shown in Figure 28, the door is automatically or semi automatically adjustable in that the door, when closed, will contact with the door guide or striker plate 112 which is fitted to the frame 4 or door 2 and effectively pushes the door over towards its hinge side thereby effecting an automatic snug fit to the door and frame assembly. General manual adjustment may still be carried out as previously described. Any suitable number of striker plates 112 may be provided or the striker plate may comprise a continuous strip running along the door or frame edge. The dashed panel 2 shows the door in the open position while the full line panel 2 shows the door in the closed position. In the open position the door self adjusts in the direction of arrow A. When moved to the closed position the door contacts the striker plate 112 and is forced to move in the direction of arrow B towards the hinge side. The filler strip or plate 100 moves in and out with the door 2 under spring pressure. Thus, when closed, the door self adjusts to be a snug fit in the frame. The striker plate 112 may have any other suitable shape or dimension as long as it acts to guide the door generally in the direction of arrow B.

A partial front view of the assemblies of Figure 28 is shown in Figure 29; the direction of movement of the door 2 being shown by arrows A, B.

The spring loaded door adjuster moves the door from left to right under spring pressure and the striker plate or guide 112 pushes the door back against the spring pressure. Although springs are preferable, any spring loaded material or mechanical equivalent could be used.

It is noted that doors or panels which swell due to water penetration will usually "catch" or stick on the lock side of the frame. The above configuration allows the door to be pushed under spring pressure back over to the hinge side of the frame by a predetermined amount by means of guide plates fitted to the door or frame or both on the lock side of the door thereby effecting a "perfect fit". General adjustment can still also be carried out by means of adjusting screws. As a further advantage to previously described door or panel adjustment systems within a frame, it is also possible to produce a frame on manufacture with adequate rebates (left or right) to accept the previously described adjustment systems that can be fitted to the frame. This would make the system non handed in the sense that there would be no need for left and right handed frames. It is also possible to incorporate a locking system 120 into the panel, as an aid to security. The locking system see Figure 32, could be in the form of a plate 122 having approximately the same dimensions or size as the adjustment kit, so as to enable the locking system and the adjustrnent system of the panel to be fitted to either side of the frame. The locking system could accept one, two, three or more locking bolts. (Espagnolette type system is a good example). The plate which accepts the bolts would be fitted down the side of the frame (left or right) and would fit snugly into the rebate and therefore cover any fixing holes in the frame, although fixing could be carried out through the plate itself and finished off using suitable screw caps. The length x of the plate 122 is thus preferably substantially equal to the length of the rebate in the frame 4. The receiver plate could be of any profile, shape or size, although is preferably substantially flat, and has a width to match the width of the door. The plate could be made of any suitable material, although aluminium is preferable. The rebate of the frame would be of a size to accept the adjustment kit and lock plate and still leave a rebate of suitable overlap, usually 1/2" or 12mm.

The plate 122 as shown in Figure 32 is provided with three apertures for receiving the lock bolts and four apertures for receiving fixing screws.

Clearly any suitable number of such apertures may be provided.

As shown in Figures 30 and 31, the adjustment device 6 and the locking system 120 may be provided on either side of the panel 2 and frame 4 assembly.

Referring to Figure 33, the outer channel section member 60 has a sub-channel 601 formed therein and one of the legs of the inner channel section member 70 extends into the sub-channel 601. This arrangement provides increased security.

Figure 34 is similar to Figure 33 except that the inner channel section member 70 has an extra lip or protrusion 701. Again this gives increased security against a force applied to the remote side of the door. The extra lip 701 also holds the door in position making the fixing more secure i.e. the door no longer relies on hinges to hold the door. The lip 701 preferably extends into a rebate in the door.

From Figure 35 it will be seen that an extra strip 200 may be fitted to the outside of door frame to effectively increase the rebate size for accommodating the adjustment device. This strip could be sold as part of a kit for assembling and installing the adjustment device.

It will be appreciated that the present invention is not intended to be restricted to the details of the above described embodiments. In particular, adjustment devices of the invention may be located at any position around a panel to provide adjustment of the panel within a frame in any required direction.

Further it will be appreciated that any features described with reference to any embodiment may be incorporated into or included with any other embodiment though not specifically stated.. Thus, the invention includes an adjustment device having the features identified in any of the statements of invention in combination with any one or more other features described in the text.

The adjustment device of the invention can be fitted all around a door or frame if desired. Profiled aluminium or the like end caps may be provided, for example, for cutting out by the user, so that the side frames of the adjustment device can be fitted to the sill or base adjustment device.

Suitable gaskets may be provided and these may be self adhesive to any suitable surface. The adjustment device is suitable for fitting to new frames or for retro-fitting to existing doors or frames. Furthermore the device may be formed as an integral part of the frame for example where the frame and adjustment device are both made of aluminium.

The adjustment device of the invention has particularly good security aspects. For example, some security regulations require some doors to have three hinges. However with the adjustment device installed, the plate or first/second member reinforces the door/frame so that only two hinges are needed. The external adjustabilty of the device also reinforces the frame and this may be useful for example for transport purposes.

A particularly useful application of the adjustment device is as an adjustable threshold bar, or weatherdll. It is known that most exterior doors on shops, houses, buildings and the like have fitted beneath the door, a cill bar, or weatherbar which is placed or fitted on the floor between the stiles of a door frame and which is so designed that when the door is in the fully closed position it acts as a receptor, or gutter for preventing draughts, and the penetration of rainwater under the door and into the building causing all the associated damage.

Existing weatherbars carry out the job they are supposed to do satisfactorily, to an extent. However it will be appreciated that due to the design of existing weatherbars the clearance that is required between the top of the weatherbar, and the bottom of the door is critical to its main function, which is to draughtproof, or weatherproof the bottom of the door.

Problems can arise for instance if the gap were to vary. On the one hand if the gap were to increase, the weatherbar would fail to function as it would let in draughts or rainwater to the building.

On the other hand if the gap were to decrease, through door swelling such as often occurs with timber doors or the door were to drop through hinge wear, loose fixings of hinges or any other reason, the door would jam, or catch on the weatherbar causing opening or closing of the door more difficult. Both of these problems are usually the case, and very often do occur. These problems can occur on timber, aluminium, steel or U.P.V.C.

doors. A further object of this invention is to overcome these problems.

In the present description the term cillZ is to be taken to include a reference to a weatherbar, weathercill, draught excluder, threshold bar orthe like.

The proposed invention will offer all the uses of previously known cills such as prevention of rainwater, draughts, and the like but with the further advantage of 1adjustability1 or the ability to increase, or decrease, the gap between the chill, and bottom of the door using a simple method of adjustment, all year round.

According to the invention there is further provided an adjustable threshold bar comprising a first member adapted for fixing to the floor or cill of a frame, a second member adapted to be adjustably fitted within the first member and one or more adjusting members connecting the first and second members so that the first and second members are adjustable one relative to the other.

Preferably one or both of the first and second members have one or more drainage apertures.

Preferably the second member comprises a groove or channel for retaining a sealing strip or gasket. Preferably the first member comprises a channel section and this may be a double channel section with each channel separated by an internal wall. Preferably the base of the channel is sloped in use. The second member may be a channel section member which fits with the open channel of the first member. The first and second members may be relatively adjustable by means of one or more jacking screws or the like which may include a spring or other resilient means mounted thereon.

The cill will now comprise of two members, although more could be used, but preferably two. The first member 500 see Fig. 37, will be of a channel type section, although any suitable section can be employed, but preferably channel section, will be fixed to the bottom of the frame and the bottom of the section will be in contact with the floor and can be sealed using a suitable gasket, or mastic sealant to prevent seepage underneath the cill of rainwater and the like. Said channel will be cut to length and placed between the door stiles inside the rebate. Fixing can be canied out by fixing screws 502 passing through the channel into the floor although they will generally need to be raised, or sealed. Alternatively fixing can be carried out by passing screws through the channel, and into the frame itself. Fixing could also be effected using suitably shaped fixing clips which could be placed at each end of the channel and again fixed to the frame. Any combination of these fixings may be used, or indeed any number of fixings.

The said channel 500 will incorporate in fact two sub-channels, although one or more sub-channels could be used for the same effect; an outer channel 504 nearest the outside of the building, and an inner channel 506 towards the inside of the building, this will be effected by use of a wall 508 which will run lengthwise down the channel, parallel with the two outer "legs*. The outer channel will be the channel which will collect most of the rainwater and will probably have one, two or more holes 510 drilled through at right angles to the outer leg (see drawings). These are known as drain holes. Said drain holes will also pass through the middle wall 508 into the inner channel so as to allow drainage from that channel also. The base of the channel will also be inclined, or pitched from the inner to the outer so as to aid the dispelling of water which may enter the channel, through the drainage holes (see drawings). Preferably the inner wall shall have drilled and tapped holes to accept screws of suitable length/width, thread etc. for adequate fixing of the top member, or second member 512. Said holes can either be drilled and tapped, or have nutserts, or audell types threaded bushes placed at suitable points (see drawings). The base channel member 500 may be manufactured using any suitable material, although aluminium is preferable. (anodised, coated or not). Any design can be used for extrusion purposes to incorporate suitable weatherproof gaskets to any part of the section to prevent rainwater seepage, or penetration. The base channel 500 could also be made of two or more components, for in stance the middle wall or leg 508 could be fitted inside the main channel so as to make up the same configuration. This can be achieved by screwing, gluing, welding, riveting etc. Also the wall itself could be adjustable so that the raising or lowering of the wall would effect raising or lowering of the section 512 which sits on top to effect adjustment. This action could also be spring assisted.

The second component 512 of this adjusting cill also is channel shaped of channel section, (see drawings). This is the top section which fits inside the bottom section 500 and adjusts, with the aid of employing any combination of jacking and fixing screws, the section can also be used to carry the weatherseal gasket which will fit into the gasket insertion groove 514, although one, or more gaskets can be employed to have the same effect. Gaskets can be either in the form of brushes, rubber or any other suitable material, form or shape. The top section 512 will have holes drilled in suitable positions, preferably in line with holes in the bottom section 500 so as to effect adjustment using fixing 502 and jacking screws 524 together. Basically the jacking screws shall be placed beneath section 512, and shall screw into suitable holes in section 500 thus when jacking screws are unscrewed this will have the effect of raising top section 512 upwards towards the bottom of the door and vice versa. Additionally fixing screws will be passed through top section 512 and screw into suitable holes in bottom section 500, this will have the effect of securing, or fixing the top plate, or section 512 in position. It will be appreciated that adjustment can be made from as little as zero, to any height adjustment, the only restriction being the dimensions or size of channel used. Indeed adjustment can compensate for badly fitting doors, sloping floors or basically where a standard cill would require packing or raising under one end or the other or the whole cill.

Other methods of adjustment are also possible, for instance, instead of the above described configuration, the adjusting screws could be accessible from the front of the cill (see Figs. 40 and 42) using cam type adjusters to raise or lower section 512. Springs or any suitable expandable material may be placed beneath channel 512 to aid adjustment. Indeed springs alone could be used to keep channel 512 in the "up" position, any combination, of fixing screws could be used to lower or raise channel 512 by means of slackening or re-tightening, other variations may also be possible. Referring to Figure 42, rotation of the jacking screw 524 causes pivoting of member 526 which may be a spring assisted adjuster about axis 528. As member 526 pivots one end thereof engages the channel section 512 and causes it to rise or lower according to the direction of rotation.

Gaskets or seals 530 may be positioned around the device as required. The main function or difference from anything previously known is that the above described cill gives the end user/tradesperson, or anyone else the ability to adjust the cill to fit exactly beneath the door(s) by simple means.

This eliminates the need for removing material from the bottom of the door, or, raising or lowering the cill by means of packing underneath to raise it or sinking it into the floor to lower the cill. All these methods are tedious, and time consuming.

A further advantage of the above is that the top section 512 is easily removed for cleaning purposes etc. as is much more difficult with existing cills. Drainage holes or drainage slots 516 will preferably be included in top section 512 to aid drainage into bottom channel 500 for final drainage to the outside. Said holes or slots will be placed in any suitable position. As an option in design for section 512, this may incorporate a raised edge 518 to help prevent water seepage into the building (see Fig. 39). The insert groove 514 could also have springs 520 fitted therein and underneath the gasket 522 so as to aid sealing to the bottom of the door. All screw holes in the cill components 500 and 512 can be fitted with suitable screwcaps, or covers for appearance/prevention of ingress of dirt etc.

Claims

1. An adjustable threshold bar comprising a first member adapted for fixing to the floor or cill of a frame and a second member adapted to be adjustably fitted within the first member and one or more adjusting members connecting the first and second members so that the first and second members are adjustable one relative to the other.

2. An adjustable threshold bar as claimed in claim 1, wherein one or more drainage apertures are provided in the first and/or second members.

3. An adjustable threshold bar as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the second member comprises a groove or channel for retaining a sealing strip or gasket.

4. An adjustable threshold bar as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the first member comprises a channel section member.

5. An adjustable threshold bar as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the second member comprises a channel section member.

6. An adjustable threshold bar as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the adjusting members comprise rods, bolts or screws.

7. An adjustable threshold bar substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

8. An adjustment device for adjusting the relative position of a panel within a frame comprising one or more adjusting means, each such adjusting means comprising a first member adapted for fixing to the frame, a second member adapted for fixing to the panel and one or more adjusting members connecting the first and second members so that the first and second members are adjustable one relative to the other.

9. An adjustment device according to claim 8, further comprising concealing means adapted to at least partially conceal any gap formed between the panel and the frame.

10. An adjustment device according to either claim 8 or 9, wherein said concealing means is adapted to be adjustably fitted to the frame or panel.

11. An adjustment device according to any of claims 8 to 10, wherein said concealing means comprises at least part of one or both of said first and second members.

12. An adjustment device according to any of claims 8 to 11, wherein the adjusting members comprise rods, bolts or screws.

13. An adjustment device according to claim 12, wherein the adjusting members include a block mounted for movement therealong.

14. An adjustment device according to any of claims 8 to 13, wherein the first member comprises plate means, a channel section member or a member having an L-shaped profile.

15. An adjustment device according to any of claims 8 to 14, wherein the second member comprises a hinge means, block means, plate means or a channel section member.

16. An adjustment device as claimed in any of claims 8 to 15, wherein in use, rotation of the adjusting member causes one of the first and second members to move towards or away from the other member depending on the direction of rotation of the adjusting member.

17. An adjustment device as claimed in any of claims 8 to 16, wherein one of the first or second members is provided with a projection which in use extends along a portion of the panel.

18. An assembly comprising a panel, a frame and an adjustment device according to any preceding claim.

19. A kit of parts comprising the elements necessary to assemble and fit an adjustment device according to any preceding claim to a frame/panel structure.

20. An adjustment device substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.