IL92981A - Retrofit door frame - Google Patents

Description

092981/2 RETROFIT DOOR FRAME MUL-T>LOCK LTD.

C:09681 92981 /2 O968loa. ±1 I-7O2 3I.5.92 FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to door frames generally and more particularly to a retrofit door frame.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Conventional wooden door frames used in the U.S.A. define an edge recess for receipt of a flat door. Such door frames are not suitable for use with a door having a peripheral flange on its outer surface.

Reinforcement facing of wooden door frames is known, for example, from U.S. Patent 4,793.109 of the present inventor. The reinforcement facing there described employs two facing panels whose positioning must be coordinated. 9298112 SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention seeks to provide an improved door reinforcement which is particularly suitable for use with doors having a peripheral flange on their outer surface.

There is thus provided in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention a retrofit door frame reinforcement and adaptation panel for use with a wooden door frame having a central protrusion defining side surfaces, and a door having an inner surface, an outer surface and a peripheral edge, and including a flange along the peripheral edge at the outer surface, including a door frame reinforcement and adaptation panel including first, second and third parallel surfaces extending along respective first, second and third parallel planes, fourth and fifth parallel surfaces extending along respective fourth and fifth parallel planes which lie perpendicular to the first, second and third parallel planes, the fourth surface interconnecting the first and second surfaces and the fifth surface interconnecting the second and third surfaces, and means for mounting the panel onto the wooden frame so as to position the fourth surface of the panel parallel to an inner side surface of the wooden door" frame. The means for mounting also includes means for positioning the fourth surface at a predetermined spacing from the inner side surface such that the fourth surface is engaged by the peripheral edge of the door when the door is in a closed position.

In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention, the third surface is adapted to lie against a side 9298112 surface of a central protrusion of a wooden door frame, the second surface is adapted to be engaged by an inner door peripheral strip adjacent the door edge and the first surface is adapted to be engaged by a door flange peripheral inner facing strip .

Further in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention, the fourth surface is adapted to be engaged by the door edge .

Additionally in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention there is provided a retrofitted reinforced door and door frame combination including: a wooden door frame having a central protrusion defining side surfaces, a door having an inner surface, an outer surface and a peripheral edge, and including a flange at the outer surface, a door frame reinforcement and adaptation panel including first, second and third parallel surfaces extending along respective first, second and third parallel planes, fourth and fifth parallel surfaces extending along respective fourth and fifth parallel planes, which lie perpendicular to the first, second and third parallel planes, the fourth surface interconnecting the first and second surfaces and the fifth surface interconnecting the second and third surfaces and wherein : the third surface is adapted to lie against a side surface of a central protrusion of a wooden door frame, the second surface is adapted to be engaged by an inner door peripheral strip adjacent the door edge and the first surface is adapted to be engaged by a door flange peripheral inner facing strip .

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The present invention will be understood and appreciated from the following detailed description, taken in conjunction with the drawings in which: Fig. 1 is a pictorial illustration of a portion of a retrofit door frame reinforcement and adaptation panel constructed and operative in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention; and Fig. 2 is a pictorial illustration illustrating a portion of a door and door frame assembly employing the retrofit door frame reinforcement and adaptation panel of Fig. 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Reference is now made to Figs. 1 and 2 which illustrate a retrofit door frame assembly constructed and operative in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention. For clarity and ease of description, only a part of the door frame assembly is illustrated in Figs. 1 and 2, it being understood that the entire door frame assembly comprises a top portion and two side portions. The illustrations of Figs. 1 and 2 illustrate a portion of the door frame which may be part of either the top portion or one of the two side portions.

The door frame assembly, indicated generally by reference numeral 10, is mounted on a conventional wood door frame, indicated generally by reference numeral 12. The conventional door frame 12 typically includes a center protrusion l4, having side surfaces 16. The center protrusion 14 is not necessarily centered with respect to the side edges 18 of the door frame 12.

In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention there is provided a retrofit door frame reinforcement and adaptation panel 20 which is arranged for fixed mounting onto the conventional wood door frame 12 and for engagement by a door 22, having a peripheral edge protrusion 24 along an outer side surface 26. One example of such a door is the PLADELET manufactured by Rav Bariah Ltd. of Yavne, Israel.

In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention the reinforcement and adaptation panel 20 is integrally formed by stamping or extrusion, for example to define first, second and third parallel surfaces 30, 32 and 34 extending along respective first, second and third parallel planes, fourth and fifth parallel surfaces 36 and 38 extending along respective fourth and fifth parallel planes, which lie perpendicular to the first, second and third parallel planes, the fourth surface 36 interconnecting the first and second surfaces 30 and 32 and the fifth surface 38 interconnecting the second and third surfaces 3 and 34.

In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention, the third surface 3^ is adapted to lie against side surface 16 of central protrusion 14 of wooden door frame 12. When the door 26 is closed, the second surface 32 is engaged by an inner door peripheral strip surface 40 adjacent the door edge, the first surface 30 is engaged by a door flange peripheral inner facing strip surface 42, and the fourth surface is adapted to be engaged by the door edge.

Desired spacing of fourth surface 36 from an inner side surface 46 of the wooden door frame 12 is provided by a longitudinal spacer element 48. Preferably the thickness of spacer element 48 is such as to enable a sixth surface 50, extending from third surface 3^. to lie against inner side surface 46.

Preferably, the panel 20 is configured such that the outer edge 52 of a seventh surface 5^ lies in engagement with side edge 18, while the third surface 3* lies against protrusion side surface 16.

In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention, the retrofit door construction seen in Fig. 2 is 092981/2 constructed using a plurality of wood screws 56, disposed at intervals along the panels 20. The screws 56 preferably engage the panel 20 and the door frame 12 at two different locations, one at fourth surface 36, extending through spacer element 48 and another at fifth surface 38.

It will be appreciated by persons skilled in the art that the present invention is not limited to wha: has been particularly shown and described hereinabove. Rather the scope of the present invention is defined only by the claims which follow : 92981/3

Claims (11)

1. Retrofit door frame reinforcement and adaption panel for use with a wooden door frame having a central protrusion defining side surfaces, and a door having an inner surface, an outer surface and a peripheral edge, and including a flange along the peripheral edge at the outer surface, said apparatus comprising: a door frame reinforcement and adaption panel including first, second, end third parallel surfaces extending along respective first, second and third parallel planes, fourth and fifth parallel surfaces extending along respective fourth and fifth parallel planes which lie perpendicular to the first, second and third parallel planes, said fourth surface interconnecting said first and second surfaces and said fifth surface interconnecting said second and third surfaces; and means for mounting said panel onto the wooden door frame so as to position said fourth surface of said panel parallel to an inner side surface of the wooden door frame, said means for mounting also including means for positioning said fourth surface at a predetermined spacing from the inner side surface such that eaid fourth surface is engaged by the peripheral edge of the door when the door is in a closed position .

2. Apparatus according to claim 1, and wherein said third surface is adapted to lie against one of the side surfaces of the central protrusion of the wooden door frame, said second surface Is adapted to be engaged by a peripheral strip of the inner door surface adjacent the door edge and said first surface is adapted to be engaged by a peripheral strip of a surface of the door flange facing said first surface. 92981/2

3. Apparatus according to either of claims 1 or 2, and wherein said means for mounting also includes means for fastening said fourth surface of said panel to the wooden door frame.

4. Apparatus according to any of the preceding claims, and wherein said means for mounting also includes means for fastening said fifth surface of said panel to the wooden door frame.

5. · A retrofitted reinforced door and door frame combination including: a wooden door frame having a central protrusion defining side surfaces; a door having an inner surface, an outer surface and a peripheral edge, and including a flange along said peripheral edge at said outer surface; a door frame reinforcement and adaption panel including first, second, and third parallel surfaces extending along respective first, second and third parallel planes, fourth and fifth parallel surfaces extending along respective fourth and fifth parallel planes which lie perpendicular to the first, second and third parallel planes, said fourth surface interconnecting said first and second surfaces and said fifth surface interconnecting said second and third surfaces, wherein said third surface is adapted to lie against one of said side surfaces of said central protrusion of said wooden door frame, said second surface is adapted to be engaged by a peripheral strip of said inner door surface adjacent said door edge and said first surface is adapted to be engaged by a peripheral strip of a surface of said door flange facing said first surface; and means for mounting said panel onto said wooden door frame so as to position said fourth surface of said panel 92981/3 parallel to an Inner side surface of said wooden door frame, said means for mounting also including means for positioning said fourth surface at a predetermined spacing from said inner side surface such that said fourth surface is engaged by said peripheral edge of said door when said door is In a closed position .

6. A combination according to claim 5» and wherein said means for mounting also includes means for fastening said fourth surface of said panel to said wooden door frame.

7. A combination according to either of claims 5 or 6, and wherein said means for mounting also includes means for fastening said fifth surface of said panel to said wooden door frame.

8. Door frame substantially as shown an3 described hereinabove .

9. Door frame substantially as illustrate^ in any of the drawings .

10. A combination substantially as shown end described hereinabove.

11. A combination substantially fcs illustrated in any of the drawings. For the Applicant, Sanford T. Colb I Co. C:0986l I-II98 (702)