GB2395515A

GB2395515A - Door lifting device

Info

Publication number: GB2395515A
Application number: GB0326925A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Declan Gallagher
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2002-11-21
Filing date: 2003-11-19
Publication date: 2004-05-26
Also published as: GB0326925D0; IE20020896A1

Abstract

A device 1 for supporting a door upright for placement and mounting with respect to a door frame comprises a base structure 2, at least one support member 36, 38 for engaging a lower edge of a door supported on the device and at least one stabilising member 28, 30 for engaging a door supported on the device at a location above its lower edge. The stabilising member(s) 28, 30 may be clamps. The base structure has means, which may be castors 10, to enable displacement of the device over an underlying surface. The spacing between the axis of rotation of the castors 10 and the base structure 2 may be varied. Means, which may be a plurality of linked bell cranks 50, 52 jointly linked to a drive mechanism, are provided for raising and lowering the support member or members 36, 38 to vary the spacing between the support member(s) and an underlying surface. The drive mechanism may be a screw jack 58, electric motor or hydraulic actuator. Where more than one support member is provided one support member 36 may be adjustable relative to the other support member(s) 38 to allow a door mounted on the device 1 to be tilted.

Description

TITLE OF THE INVENTION

Title Door lifting device s BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Field of the Invention

The invention relates to a door lifting device for use in mounting and fitting a door to a 0 frame. The invention is particularly directed to a mobile mechanical door lifting and tilting device, having the capability of lifting and enabling the positioning of a door within a frame in a manner allowing for a multiplicity of possible relationships between the door, the frame, and the floor in the vicinity of the door frame. In particular, the invention is directed to a device of the foregoing kind having a multiplicity of degrees of 5 freedom facilitating ease of mounting and fitting of heavy doors, such as fire doors, by a single operative working alone.

Description of the Prior Art

GB-A-2,275, 880 describes a door vice having two components consisting of a cradle 20 and a wedge. A door is laid on its edge into the housing of the cradle and the wedge is then driven alongside the door, thus into the housing of the cradle. Driving the wedge into the housing tightens the door with respect to the cradle. The arrangement is such that the door is then left free standing to enable a "hands free" situation for planing and fitting of hinges or locks etc. The device described does not provide an arrangement for 2s mounting a door to a frame and does not incorporate arrangements enabling the device to compensate for misalignments between a free standing door and frame. The device is directed primarily to enabling adjustment and fitting of features of the door, prior to mounting the door in the frame. The device does not enable a door gripped in the unit to be moved around in convenient manner.

US-A-3,858,864 describes a door supporting apparatus for supporting a door of a vehicle in a desired position. The apparatus has a movable dolly base and an angular

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, I member rotatably mounted on the base, so as to be at right angles to the base in a first position and parallel to the base in a second position. A pair of spaced apart substantially parallel arms are movably mounted on the angular member. The arms are spaced at a desired distance from each other, parallel to the base in the first position of 5 the angular member and at right angles to the base in its second position. Clamps at the free ends of the arms hold the door of a vehicle on the inside or the outside to permit removal of the door from the vehicle, work on the door, and remounting of the door on the vehicle. This apparatus is specifically directed to vehicle doors and is constructed so as to allow removal of the door and rotation of the released door retained on the lo supporting apparatus through 90 degrees, so that substantially vertically extending surfaces of the door can be worked on in a horizontal disposition. The device is not directed to the mounting of conventional doors for buildings within surrounding frames.

US-A-4,270,741 describes a door vice by means of which a thin object such as a door Is may be transported. The vice has a pair of jaws hinged together by a spring loaded hinge so as to accommodate different thicknesses of doors. The spring urges the jaws apart but the weight of the door overcomes the spring, drawing the jaws into contact with the door for support. Each jaw is mounted on a wheel so that the door, when supported on the vice, may be transported. The arrangement described is directed solely 20 to transport of the door and does not provide for support and adjustment of the door during a mounting or a fitting operation.

US-A-4,538,796 describes a load supporting dolly provided with foot portions having underlying and spaced apart rounded heads for engaging with, and seeking a position of 2s stability on, an underlying floor. Inclined portions support rollers to which the weight of the dolly can be transferred by tilting the dolly. The tilted dolly may be rolled by means of the rollers to a different operating station. The dolly includes a rectangular frame having side portions accommodating independent jacks which may be operated alternately to progressively advance a load to a desired position. The dolly is 30 particularly directed to supporting an automobile door to be hinged or unhinged on the vehicle. The dolly may also be applied to supporting the bumper of a vehicle to be attached to or detached from an automobile. The arrangement described is adapted

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specifically to vehicle doors and does not provide features enabling cooperative association of a door in a building with a surrounding frame.

US-A-4,746,141 provides a collapsible hand cart for carrying a door standing on edge.

5 The cart has an elongated vertical beam with two vertically spaced pairs of guide flanges to receive the edge of a door. The beam is hinged in the middle to fold back upon itself.

A handle at the upper end of the beam allows the cart to be guided, while two laterally spaced wheels, mounted on an axle through the bottom of the cart, enable the cart to be moved around. A pivotable horizontal channel support beam projects outwardly at the 0 bottom of the vertical beam to support an edge of the door. A foot at the upper end of the vertical beam supports the vertical beam in a level position when it is rotated to the horizontal. The device described is directed to enabling a door to be moved around and does not provide for adjustment and mounting of the door of a building within an associated door frame.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of the invention to provide a door lifting device which will enable a door to be moved around by a single operative and to be brought up to and mounted in a 20 surrounding door frame. It is a particular objective of the invention to provide a device of the foregoing kind which will facilitate adjustment of the door for correct mounting within the door frame. It is a further objective of the invention to provide a device of the foregoing kind which is especially suited to the mounting of heavy doors such as fire doors by a single operative working alone.

2s Accordingly, there is provided a device for supporting a door in a substantially upright disposition for placement and mounting with respect to a door frame, comprising: (1) a base structure, (2) at least one support member for engaging a lower edge of a door, and 30 (3) at least one stabilising member for engaging a door supported on the device at a location above the lower edge, wherein:

À. I, 8 l, 8 8 À 8 1 i À i 1 (a) the base structure is provided with means to enable travelling displacement of the device over an underlying surface, and (b) means are provided for raising and lowering the at least one support member so that the spacing between the lower edge of the door and the underlying s surface may be varied.

The base structure preferably comprises two longitudinal frame members between which a door may be received.

lo Preferably, the base structure further comprises a plurality of outriggers extending outwardly from the sides of the frame members to stabilise the device.

In a favoured construction, the plurality of outriggers comprise a front pair of outriggers extending outwardly on opposing sides at one end of the base structure and a rear pair of IS outriggers extending outwardly on opposing sides at the other end of the base structure.

The front outriggers are suitably shorter in length than the rear outriggers, so as to enable the end of the device proximate to the front outriggers to be brought close to a door jamb.

2() Preferably, the means to enable travelling displacement of the device over an underlying surface comprise a plurality of castors.

Suitably, the spacing between the base structure and the underlying surface is adjustable.

2s The spacing may suitably be adjustable by varying the spacing between the axis of rotation of at least one supporting castor and the base structure.

Preferably, at least one support member comprises two support members for engaging a 30 lower edge of a door, wherein the two support members are spaced apart to provide two point support of the door.

Àe ee. c:.: eee c: À 5 cee e The two support members are preferably movable with respect to the underlying surface to adjust the spacing between the lower edge of the door and the underlying surface.

The two support members are suitably moveable by a plurality of bell cranks, linked to s one another and jointly linked to a suitable drive mechanism.

Preferably, the drive mechanism is a screw jack, electric motor or hydraulic actuator.

Preferably, the height of one of the two support members is adjustable relative to the 0 other to allow a door mounted on the door frame to be tilted within its own plane, for alignment of the door with respect to a non-vertical door frame.

The two bell cranks are suitably linked by a mechanism to permit relative adjustment in height between the two support members so that the spacing between a portion of the IS lower edge of the door supported on one of the support members and the underlying surface may be different from the spacing between the portion of the lower edge of the door supported on the other of the support members and the underlying surface.

In a preferred embodiment, the at least one stabilising member is a substantially 20 vertically orientated post member extending from the base structure.

The post member preferably comprises at least two gripping clamps provided at intervals along the post member, wherein at least the uppermost gripping clamp is at a sufficient level to provide proper stabilization of a door mounted on the device.

2s Suitably the uppermost clamp is laterally movable relative to the post member to enable a door mounted on the device to be pivoted about its lower edge in a direction perpendicular to its own plane. At least the uppermost clamp is suitably adapted to provide enhanced stability for a door mounted on the device.

Particular advantages achieved by the invention are the ability to approach the edge of a door frame which is in close juxtaposition to a structure wall extending at right angles to

ee. ce. c: c:.e ce: c the general plane defined by the door frame. This is achieved by the front end of the device having relatively narrow dimensions with respect to the plane of a door mounted on the device. Stability of the device is ensured by rear lateral supporting members of the device having a greater wheel base or span of support. Ease of movement of a door s to be brought up to a door frame is achieved by the unit being reliable on casters or like arrangements. All necessary height adjustment is provided, so that a door supported on the unit may be raised or lowered to precisely the correct location required for mounting in the frame. Full tilt adjustment is provided, both substantially transverse to the general plane defined by the door supported on the device and also within the plane of the door.

0 In particular, the edge of the door to be mounted on the frame can be tilted so as to be aligned precisely parallel to the frame, irrespective of any irregularities between the supporting surface on which the unit stands and the linear direction defined by the mounting edge of the frame. Furthermore, arrangements are provided by virtue of which the unit of the invention may be levelled so that the door can be disposed in a 5 nominally upright position, again irrespective of any irregularities on the supporting floor. The door supported on the device may also be advanced forward of the device, so that a sufficient length of the door extends beyond the leading end of the device as will facilitate adjustment and mounting on and within the frame.

20 BRIEF DESCRIPI ION OF THE DRAWINGS

Embodiments of the invention will now be described having regard to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 shows in partly diagrammatic pictorial view, an exemplary embodiment of the invention, 2s Figure 2 shows a side view of an embodiment generally similar to that of Figure 1, but incorporating certain practical features omitted or modified in Figure 1 for the sake of clarity in the representation of Figure 1, Figure 3 is a top view of the embodiment of Figure 2, Figure 4 shows a door accommodated on an embodiment of the invention in 30 general accordance with the representation of Figure 1, ready for positioning in a doorway,

À. À e hece e 8 ce::::: e: Figure 5 is a top view of the door as received on the unit of the invention in accordance with Figure 3, with the unit positioned to align the door for mounting on a door frame, and Figure 6 is a detailed representation showing the door offered up to the door 5 frame in order to effect a mounting operation.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

As shown in Figure 1, a mobile mechanical door lifting and tilting device 1 according to lo the invention has a base 2 defined by two elongate parallel frame members 4. The frame members 4 are connected at one end by a transverse member 6 which extends laterally outwards of the respective elongate frame members 4 to define outrigger portions 8a of the transverse member 6. In the vicinity of the opposite ends of the elongate frame members 4, significantly shorter individual outrigger members 8b are 5 defined to extend laterally from the respective elongate frame members 4. All outriggers extend outwardly from the elongate frame members 4, i.e. away from the space defined between the parallel elongate frame members 4.

The ends of the elongate frame members 4 in the vicinity of the shorter outrigger 20 members 8b, which extend laterally outward from the respective frame members without any bridging of the space between the two frame members 4, define a front end of the device 1. The other ends of the elongate frame members 4 terminate at the transverse frame member 6, which defines the longer outrigger members 8a, and this region of the unit defines a rear end of the device 1. Thus, the elongate frame members 25 4 are interconnected by the transverse frame member 6 at the rear end, but are spaced apart and are not physically connected at the front end. In plan view therefore, a substantially U-shaped base structure 2 is defined.

Towards the outer extremity of each outrigger member 8a, 8b, spaced apart from the 30 respective elongate frame member 4 from which it extends, each outrigger 8a, 8b is supported on a respective castor 10. The castors 10 are swivelably mounted in a known manner. The castors 10 on the front or shorter outriggers 8b are fixed as to their vertical

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position, i.e. the spacing between the rolling axis of the castor roller and the general plane defined by the elongate frame members 4 cannot be varied. The castors 10 on the longer or rear outriggers 8a are, by contrast, adjustable as to their vertical height, so that the level of the unit 1 can be varied by moving the rolling axis of the respective castors s 10 up or down. This is suitably achieved by a screw thread mechanism with a manual operating handle 12, in a known manner. Because the front castors 10 are relatively close together, the levelling adjustment provided in this manner substantially equates to that available with a three point support arrangement.

0 A short distance inboard of the rear end of the unit 1, the elongate frame members 4 carry, on their upper planes, a slideable plate 14. This sliding plate 14 is capable of limited sliding displacement between respective end positions by virtue of elongate slots 16 aligned with the respective elongate base frame members 4. The plate 14 is secured in position on the elongate members 4 in any selected elongate disposition between its 5 end positions by means of wing nuts 18 and retaining bolts (not shown), acting between the generally tubular elongate frame members 4 and the upper surface of the sliding plate 14, above the respective slot 16. The locking arrangement follows a well known technical principle for securing sliding members.

20 On the upper surface of this slideable plate member 14, there is mounted a receiving socket 20 for a substantially vertically orientated post member 22. This vertical post 22 is received in the socket 20 and may be locked in position within the socket 20 by means of a wing nut 24 and bolt (not shown) engaging with a vertical slot 26, in similar manner to the longitudinally slideable plate 14. The slot arrangement of the vertical post 22 in 25 the base socket 20 facilitates limited vertical height adjustment of the extent to which the post 22 extends from the socket 20.

Spaced apart along the vertical post 22 are two clamps 28,30 for engaging the edge of a door to be accommodated on the device 1. The manner in which the door is received 30 will be described subsequently. Each clamp 28,30 is generally U-shaped in configuration, to embrace the vertical edge of the door, and is provided with a screw type clamping fitting 32, so that a door, when engaged in the clamp 28,30 may be held

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in position. The clamping arrangement 32 is shown to the right hand side of the lower clamp 28 and to the left hand side of the upper clamp 30, for clarity of representation, but in a practical construction, the clamping screws 32 will be located to the same side of each of these clamps 28,30. This clamping arrangement 32 is known as such.

The upper clamp 30 on the vertical post 22 is mounted so as to be adjustable sideways or transversely or laterally of the elongate direction of the unit 1. This lateral facility is enabled by a wing nut mounting 34 of conventional nature. In order to provide enhanced stability when moving a door supported in a vertical disposition on the unit of the 0 invention, additional stabilising features may be provided at the upper end of post 22, e.g. a further clamp as well as clamp 30. The post 22 may have a greater vertical extent to allow another clamp or further clamps to engage the door edge above clamp 30.

Alternatively, clamp 30, and any extra stabilising clamps on post 22, may have a modified engaging structure, e.g. elongated side arms and one or more additional 5 clamping screws, to provide a greater grip on the flat faces of the door as well as its edge. In order to support the base of a door at a sufficient clearance from the ground to enable the door supported on the device 1 to be manoeuvred by rolling movement of the device 20 1, two transverse underlying members 36,38 extending substantially at right angles to the elongate direction of the base 2 of the unit, are provided beneath the general plane defined by the two elongate base *ame members 4. Each of these supporting members 36,38 is of generally L-shaped configuration, having a first flat portion 40,42 to extend transversely of the longitudinal axis of the unit 1 and underlie a door supported on the 25 unit 1. A vertically extending arm 44,46 of the L-shaped member 36,38 is accommodated in each case within a strap/sleeve portion 48 secured to the side of one of the elongate base frame members 4 for permitting substantially vertical upward and downward sliding movement. Thus, the supporting plane defined by the two portions 40,42 of the L - shaped members 36,38 to underlie the lower edge of a door may be 30 varied in vertical spacing from the underlying floor by moving the two members 36,38 upwards and downwards in unison.

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This upwards and downwards movement or displacement in unison is achieved by respective bell crank members 5O,52 linked to the top end of each of the vertical portions 44,46 of the Shaped door supporting members 36,38. Each bell crank 50, 52 is pivoted intermediate its ends on an upstanding lug 54, projecting upwards from the s elongate base frame member 4 which is provided with the sliding strap portions 48 for the door supporting Lrshaped underlying members 36,38. The upper ends of the two bell cranks 50,52 are linked by a turnbuckle mechanism 56 which is pivotably connected to and mounted on the respective upper ends of the bell cranks 50,52. In order to then raise or lower a door supported on the L'shaped members 36,38, a screw lo jack type mechanism 58 links the upper end of the rearward bell crank 52 of the two spaced-apart bell crank members 50, 52 with a manual turning mechanism handle 60 mounted on the transverse rear frame member 6 where it meets the elongate member 4 carrying the bell cranks 50,52 and the other mechanism features.

5 By winding the handle 60 of the screw jack mechanism 58 in one rotational direction, the upper limbs of the bell cranks 50,52 are moved toward the rear of the structure 1, so that the L-shaped members 36,38 are raised and a door supported on them is similarly raised. In order to lower the door, the screw jack mechanism 58 is rotated in the opposite direction.

The arrangement 56 linking the two bell cranks 50,52 allows the front Lshaped edge underlying member 36 to be raised or lowered relative to the rearward I'shaped member 38. The arrangement may be a turnbuckle. In this manner, a door supported on these underlying members 36,38 may be tilted in a forward or rearward direction, within the 2s general plane defined by the door.

The device of the invention thus provides multiple adjustments to cater for virtually any requirement arising out of any possible misalignment, when positioning a door for mounting within a door frame.

3() Referring now to Figures 2 and 3, these illustrate a particular embodiment of the invention in which the detailed technical features are shown more specifically. There

À s; ::: Be are also some minor variations in position as to the location of lugs, outriggers etc., these being rendered to an extent diagramatically in Figure 1 for clarity of illustration of the principles and manner of working of the device.

5 Turning now to Figure 4, a door 70 is shown supported on a unit 1 of the invention prior to advance into a door frame. In order to use the unit 1 of the invention, a door 70 is placed in an upright disposition and is then tilted to allow the device to be run underneath its lower edge, with the underlying Ushaped members 36,38 lowered to the lowest possible extent consistent with mobility of the unit. The unit 1 is advanced so lo that the fork shape, defined by the elongate frame members 36,38, substantially embraces the lower end region 72 of the door. Advance continues until the edge 74 of the door, which will be the free edge when the door is mounted, can be received within the respective clamps 28,30 mounted on the vertical post 22. The door 70 is then lowered and tilted as appropriate until it is supported on the underlying I'shaped 5 members 36,38 and the edge region 74 is located positively within the clamps 28,30 of the vertical post 22. These clamps 28,30 are then tightened and the door 70 may be raised as appropriate using the screw jack mechanism 58. Forward or rearward tilting of the door 70 may be effected by use of the turn-buckle mechanism 56 linking the two bell cranks 50,52. Tilt at right angles to the plane of the door 70 may be achieved by 20 adjustment of the position of the upper clamp 30 on the vertical post 22 as to its transverse disposition on the post 22. Tilt adjustment and levelling adjustment may also be effected by means of the vertically displaceably mounted castors 10 on the rear outriggers 8a. Forward adjustment of the sliding plate 14 of the elongate frame members 4 is carried out to ensure that the leading edge 76 of the door will project to an 25 appropriate extent beyond the front end of the parallel frame members 4, for mounting on a door frame.

Figure 5 now shows the door 70 mounted on the unit of the invention and advanced so that the door 70 can be secured to a door frame 80. Because the front outriggers 8b 30 project only a short distance to the sides of the elongate fume members 4, the unit of the invention is suitable for application to a door frame 80 where the jamb 82 of the frame 80 projects only to a short extent from an adjacent structural wall 84 extending

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#e tl8 #1# # 8 substantially at right angles to the general plane of the doorway 86. Thus, although the device is supported on four castors 10, there is an approximation to a three point support, because of the close transverse juxtaposition of the front castors 80. The device is nonetheless stable, because of the wide wheel base defined by the rear castors 80 at s the ends of the longer transverse outriggers 8a.

Referring now to Figure 6, the front or leading edge 76 of the door 70 is shown in position ready for mounting on the door frame 80. Any final adjustments as to tilt, either in the plane of the door 70 or perpendicular to the plane of the door 70, and also lo in respect of height, may be effected at this stage, as called for. Once the positioning is satisfactory, the hinges 88 may be screwed to the door frame 80 in a conventional manner. The invention enables precise, accurate and convenient placement of a door 70 within a 5 frame 80, in particular by a single operative. In the case of doors which are especially heavy, such as fire doors, this greatly facilitates and eases the work of the operative, as well as providing a particularly safe and effective manner of moving and mounting the door. 20 As already described, the sideways tilt or inclination of a door 70 supported on the unit 1 of the invention, i.e. a tilt in a direction generally perpendicular to the general plane of the door, may be achieved either by adjustment of the rear rollers 10, or alternatively by means of the laterally displaceable upper clamp 30 on the upright column 22. The latter method is preferred, in the interest of general stability, the levelling features provided by 25 the rollers or castors 10 on the rear outriggers 8a being preferably used only for overall levelling the system.

The invention as illustrated in certain of the drawings, in particular the diagrammatic representation of Figure 1, leaves out certain strengthening structural details, such as 30 fillets between the vertical and horizontal portions of the reshaped members 36,38 to underlie the doors. Equally, other design details of the invention are provided in accordance with good engineering practice to meet the load demands on the system,

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e 13 À À c depending on the size and weight of door to be handled. In particular, material thickness and tube size for the elongate frame members is selected to meet the requisite loading. s The manually operated lifting arrangement illustrated in the drawings represents a preferred option in the interest of economy and simplicity. It will however be appreciated that where particularly heavy lifts are in question or the invention is to be used in circumstances where many doors are to be fitted, over a short period of time, mechanical drive of the lifting features may be substituted by a motorised unit, for lo example a hydraulic or electrical drive. The simple mechanical arrangement discussed above has been found to be adequate for doors of up to 100 kg weight, but a motorised drive may be preferable for handling doors of greater weight, for example up to 250 kg.

For handling such heavy weights, design modifications may also be required, for example to provide for double-sided support of the door under its lower edge. If such an 5 arrangement is provided, it may be achieved by lifting members which can be rotated through 90 from one side or both sides to underlie the lower edge of the door, or alternatively bridging strap members spanning the gap between the elongate frame members may be used, with the door being introduced over the lifting members such as by roller means. The roller means may be independent or may be incorporated in the 20 unit of the invention.

It will be appreciated that the multiple degrees of freedom achieved by the construction described in the particular embodiment illustrated may be achieved by a variety of other structures. In particular, as analternative to the dual lever structure linked by bell 25 cranks and a turnbuckle, the door may be supported at a single intermediate point and the lifting action achieved by a lever mechanism raising and lowering this single point of support. A suitable length of lever provides a considerable degree of mechanical advantage and facilitates ease of use. The single point of support for the base of the door is stabilised by an upwardly extending post and clamp mechanism of the kind 30 already described. The various structural elements of the invention, including the outriggers, the elongate frame members and the vertical post, may in an alternative construction be foldable or telescopic, to provide convenient portability of the unit of

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the invention. In further variants, the or each underlying reshaped member to engage the base of the door may be pivotable, to facilitate easy engagement with the underside of the door.

s As well as facilitating the mounting of new doors, the invention may also be used to remove existing doors, either for replacement or for repair. It will be appreciated that a door, when removed from the frame, may for certain purposes be worked on while held in the unit of the invention, which then serves as a jig. In order to facilitate such use, the castor mechanisms may be provided with locking features. Alternatively, to particularly lo facilitate work on a normally vertical edge of a door, the door may be removed from the unit, following dismounting, and then re-engaged in the unit of the invention with the normally vertical axis extending horizontally. The unit then provides an effective work frame or jig for repair or other operations on the normally vertical edge of the door.

Is There is thus provided by the unit of the invention an especially effective, compact and safe means for facilitating the mounting and dismounting of doors from door frames, in particular doors of considerable weight such as fire doors. The unit of the invention also provides a jig or fixture within which a door may be worked on prior to mounting in a door frame or following removal from the door frame for repair or remedial work.

The words "comprises/comprising" and the words "having/including" when used herein with reference to the present invention are used to specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps or components but does not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, components or groups thereof.

2s

Claims

e:: ce. *. e: ee:: ::: e: Claims

1. A device for supporting a door in a substantially upright disposition for placement and mounting with respect to a door frame, comprising: s (1) a base structure, (2) at least one support member for engaging a lower edge of a door, and (3) at least one stabilising member for engaging a door supported on said device at a location above said lower edge, wherein: lo (a) said base structure is provided with means to enable travelling displacement of said device over an underlying surface, and (b) means are provided for raising and lowering said at least one support member so that said spacing between said lower edge of said door and said underlying surface may be varied.

2. A device according to Claim 1, wherein said base structure comprises two longitudinal frame members between which a door may be received.

3. A device according to Claim 2, wherein said base structure further comprises a 20 plurality of outriggers extending outwardly from the sides of the frame members to stabilise the device.

4. A device according to Claim 3, wherein said plurality of outriggers comprise a front pair of outriggers extending outwardly on opposing sides at one end of the base 25 structure and a rear pair of outriggers extending outwardly on opposing sides at the other end of the base structure.

5. A device according to Claim 4, wherein the front outriggers are shorter in length than the rear outriggers, so as to enable the end of the device proximate to the front 30 outriggers to be brought close to a door jamb.

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6. A device according to any preceding claim, wherein the means to enable travelling displacement of the device over an underlying surface comprise a plurality of castors. s

7. A device according to any preceding claim, wherein the spacing between the base structure and the underlying surface is adjustable.

8. A device according to Claim 7, wherein said spacing may be adjustable by varying the spacing between the axis of rotation of at least one supporting castor and lo said base structure.

9. A device according to any preceding claim, wherein the at least one support member comprises two support members for engaging a lower edge of a door, wherein said two support members are spaced apart to provide two point support of the door.

10. A device according to Claim 9, wherein said two support members are movable with respect to the underlying surface to adjust the spacing between the lower edge of the door and the underlying surface.

20

11. A device according to Claim 9 or Claim 10, wherein said two support members are moveable by a plurality of bell cranks, linked to one another and jointly linked to a suitable drive mechanism.

12. A device according to Claim 11, wherein the drive mechanism is a screw jack, 2s electric motor or hydraulic actuator.

13. A device according to any of Claims 9 to 12, wherein the height of one of the two support members is adjustable relative to the other to allow a door mounted on the door frame to be tilted within its own plane, for alignment of the door with respect to a 30 non-vertical door frame.

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14. A device according to any of Claims 11 to 13, wherein the two bell cranks are linked by a mechanism to permit relative adjustment in height between the two support members so that the spacing between a portion of the lower edge of the door supported on one of said support members and the underlying surface may be different from the 5 spacing between the portion of the lower edge of the door supported on the other of the support members and the underlying surface.

15. A device according to any preceding claim, wherein said at least one stabilising member is a substantially vertically orientated post member extending from the base lo structure.

16. A device according to Claim 15, wherein said post member comprises at least two gripping clamps provided at intervals along the post member, wherein at least the uppermost gripping clamp is at a sufficient level to provide proper stabilization of a door mounted on the device.

16. A device according to Claim 16, wherein said uppermost clamp is laterally movable relative to the post member to enable a door mounted on the device to be pivoted about its lower edge in a direction perpendicular to its own plane.

17. A device according to Claim 16 or Claim 17, wherein at least the uppermost clamp is adapted to provide enhanced stability for a door mounted on the device.

18. A door-supporting device substantially as described herein with reference to and 2s as shown in the accompanying drawings.