WO2006075155A9

WO2006075155A9 - Method, device, connector and combination

Info

Publication number: WO2006075155A9
Application number: PCT/GB2006/000091
Authority: WO
Inventors: Einar Haugland; Kjetil Moberg
Original assignee: Allmu A S; Burrows Anthony Gregory; Einar Haugland; Kjetil Moberg
Priority date: 2005-01-13
Filing date: 2006-01-11
Publication date: 2006-10-19
Also published as: WO2006075155A1

Abstract

A method of mounting a window frame (124) in an opening (122) in a wall (120) comprises releasably fixing positioning devices (100) on a surround of the opening (122) by means of nails (128), placing the frame (124) in the opening (122) so as to cause contact between the frame (124) and abutments (106) provided on the devices (100), thereby to position the frame (124) as desired relative to the opening (122), fixing the frame (124) in position relative to the surround, and dismounting the devices (100) from the surround and removing them from the opening (122).

Description

METHOD, DEVICE, CONNECTOR AND COMBINATION

This invention is applicable to mounting an article in an opening, particularly to mounting a window or door frame in an opening. ,

For craftsmen or amateurs it is often a difficult job fixedly to mount a window or door in position in a wall. In particular, it is difficult both to hold onto the window or door and adjust its position at the same time as fastening it in the correct position.

Sometimes, it is desired to mount the window or door in a position where that extent of the surround in which anchoring is practical, insofar as the depth of the surround is concerned, is insufficient for firm mounting, or even actual mounting, of the window frame or door frame. This is a particular problem when the wall has external, thermally insulating cladding.

US-A-4, 503, 897 discloses a device for use when fitting a window or door frame into a wall opening intended therefor. The device includes two parts, of which one is angular in shape and has a first leg arranged to be secured temporarily to the inside of the wall adjacent to the opening. The second part has the form of an elongate, flexible but non- stretchable element arranged to be permanently secured at one end by a nail to the surface of the frame facing the defining surface of the opening. The other end of the elongate element and the second leg of the angular part are arranged to be temporarily locked to one another in an adjustable fashion by means of a screw which is screwed into a hole in the second leg and which has a locking knob mounted thereon. By turning the knob, the elongate element can be c.lamped to the second leg. The screw extends through a longitudinal slot in the elongate element from which extends perpendicularly laterally an open-ended slot whereby the elongate element and the second leg can be detached from each other.

SE-456102 discloses fitting of a window or door in a surround in a wall opening. A positioning device which is removable after fitting of the window or door includes, as a leading part, a generally rod-or bar-form, C-clamp for releasably clamping to the frame of the window or door and, as a lagging part, a rod section threaded to co-operate with a wing-nut- adjustable abutment plate, or a bar section toothed to cooperate with a toothed detent carried by an abutment plate, whereby the abutment plate comes to bear against the wall when the window or door is inserted into the opening. In another embodiment, the C-clamp is replaced by a suction cup which is applicable to the frame and which is fixable by way of a set screw to a bar-form member carrying the abutment plate .

EP-0945577A discloses a system in which the wall comprises flexible non-load-bearing material such as insulating layers. A rigid, hollow C-profiled rail has slots in one end zone for fixing elements attaching it to load-bearing parts of the wall. In the opposite end zone are openings, protuberances, cavities etc. for engaging with or supporting an adjustment member. The free edge flanges of the profiled rail bound guide grooves. A holder-rail is inserted into the guide grooves of the profiled rail.

WO91/14846A discloses a method for joining two structural members with the aid of an adjustable fastening device, with the structural members consisting of a door or window frame and a surrounding stationary building structure, the frame being offset depthwise relative to the building structure. The frame comprises a through hole, which is completely or partly threaded, and which carries a threaded and, thus, adjustable fastening means which has a longitudinal through hole and which at one end projecting from the frame is provided with a stop for a screw head of a screw inserted into the through hole. The mounting used is a disc with cutouts for receiving screws or the like to be attached to the building structure and the disc comprises in its end, which projects from the building structure, an internally threaded stub tube integral with the disc for receiving the screw. The disc is connected to the frame before the frame is introduced into the opening.

According to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method comprising releasably mounting a positioning device on a surround at an edge of an opening defined by said surround, placing an article in said opening so as to cause contact between said article and an abutment provided on said device, thereby to position said article as desired relative to said opening, fixing said article in position relative to said surround, and dismounting said device from said edge of said surround and removing said device from said opening.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method comprising releasably mounting a positioning device on one of an article and a surround at an edge either of said article or of an opening defined by said surround, adjusting a pin-in-the slot connection depthwise of said one of said article and said surround so as to set the position of an abutment of said device relative to said one of said article and said surround, placing said article in said opening so as to cause contact between said abutment and the other .of said article and said surround, thereby to position said article as desired relative to said opening, fixing said article in position relative to said surround, and dismounting said device from said edge of said one of said article and said surround and removing said device from said opening.

Owing to these aspects of the invention, it is possible to avoid the risk of damage to the article which would arise through use of a C-clamp, for example, and the risk of the article's falling outwardly from the opening, which would arise through the use of a suction cup, for example, whilst nevertheless enabling re-use of the positioning device.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided a positioning device for use in positioning an article in an opening, said device comprising a rigid, substantially L-shaped member and being attachable to material bounding said opening, said member comprising a shorter limb for serving as an abutment and a longer limb for locating between said article and a surround defining said opening, said longer limb comprising a slot configuration enabling displacement of said longer limb longitudinally of itself relative to said surround.

Owing to this aspect of the invention, it is possible to provide a firm abutment in a simple manner whilst also providing for simple adjustment through utilising the slot configuration .

The device may be made of any suitable material, such as steel or sufficiently rigid plastics, and may advantageously be manufactured by stamping and/or laser-cutting, and then bending, a strip of the material.

In a case where the article is a window or door, the device, or a plurality of identical such devices will enable the window or door to be stood in position with little danger of its falling out. The user can then make adjustments without his needing continuously to hold onto the window or door. At the same time, accurate positioning of the window or door in relation to the outside surface and the inside surface of the wall of the building can be achieved. The job can also be easier physically and practically. Moreover, it may often be possible for one person to do the job where otherwise two persons would be needed for swift and easy mounting.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method comprising fixing a rigid, substantially flat connector to a surround at an edge of an opening defined by said surround, positioning an article in depthwise alignment with said opening, and fixing said connector to said article, said connector finally occupying a position in which said connector extends depthwise beyond said surround.

Owing to this aspect of the invention, it is possible to make it easier for a fitter of the article into the surround to perform his job than if the connector were to be fixed to the article before the article is introduced into the opening, because reliable pre-setting of the desired position of the article depthwise of the opening is more easily obtained.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a rigid, substantially flat connector including a plurality of holes therethrough for receiving elongate fastening members, and at least one sharp projection from a major surface of said connector.

Owing to this aspect of the invention, it is easier for a fitter to retain the connector in its desired position while inserting the elongate fastening members. According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, there is provided in combination, a surround defining an opening, an article in depthwise alignment with said opening and projecting depthwise beyond said surround, a substantially flat, rigid connector fixed to said article and said surround at edges of said article and of said opening, said connector occupying a position in which part of said connector projects depthwise beyond said surround in the same direction as the projecting of said article beyond said surround, and a self-tapping screw extending through a peripheral portion of said article into said part.

Owing to this aspect of the invention, it is possible firmly to fix the article to the surround in a very simple manner.

The connector may be made of any suitable material, such as steel, and may advantageously be manufactured by stamping and/or laser-cutting.

In order that the invention may be clearly and completely disclosed, reference will now be made, by way of example, to the accompanying drawings, in which :-

Figure 1 is a side elevation of a device in the form of an elongate member for use in positioning a window or a door in an opening;

Figure 2 is a plan view of the device;

Figure 3 is a fragmentary elevation of a window frame and an opening through a wall and shows four such devices in use;

Figure 4 is a perspective view of a positioning device including a modified version of the elongate member; Figure 5 shows an exploded perspective view of a connector in use fixing a window frame to a surround;

Figure 6 shows a perspective view of the connector; and

Figure 7 is a perspective view of a modified embodiment of the device of Figures 1 and 2.

Referring to Figures 1 and 2, the device 100 is of an elongate L-shape and is formed by, for example, laser-cutting and bending of a metal, e.g. steel, strip. The device 100 includes a main portion 102 of substantially rectangular form in elevation, followed by a minor portion 104 which narrows in elevation progressing from the portion 102, as well as an end portion 106 in-turned at a right-angle to the portion 104 and of a dimension in elevation equal to that of the narrower end of the portion 104. Formed through the middle of the portion 102 is a relatively wide horizontal slot 108 which, in the direction of the portion 104, is extended as a relatively narrow slot 110. Extending obliquely upwardly and downwardly in the general direction of the portion 104 from the upper and lower edges of the slot 108 are respective, relatively narrow, short slots 112. Distributed over a short part of the device 100 in the region of the junction between the portions 102 and 104 is a scale 114 denominated in centimetres and millimetres. A corresponding scale 116 is located in a region of the portion 102 near the opposite end thereof.

Referring to Figure 3, a wall 120 of a building has through it a window opening 122 into which is to be mounted a window frame 124 receiving glass 126. Before the frame 124 (and thus the glass 126) were placed in the opening 122, four devices 100 were affixed to the vertical sides of the opening 122 by means of respective nails 128, in such a manner that the devices are substantially horizontal and lie in substantially vertical planes, with the in-turned portions 106 constituting the outer ends of the devices 100 relative to the building.

If desired, the abutment portion 106 may be provided with a protective layer to deter damage to the frame of the window or door when it is being mounted.

The method of use of the devices 100 will now be described.

The spacing between the corresponding dimensions indicated on the two scales 114 and 116 (e.g. between the 5cm gradation on the scale 114 and the 5cm gradation on the scale 116) is equal to a standard building wall thickness. It will be understood that a range of devices 100 of differing lengths may be provided to meet a range of differing standard thicknesses, or the device could be made extensible for that purpose. The portions 102 and 104 are of a combined length of 30cm or more.

The user of the devices will normally know the intended distance outwardly from the inside surface of the wall 120 and the intended position of the inside surface of the frame 124, or the intended distance inwardly or outwardly from the outside surface of the wall 120 and the intended position of the outside surface of the frame 124. The scales 114 and 116 assist the user in positioning the device 100 relative to the thickness of the wall such that the portion 106, which is to serve as a positioning abutment for the frame 124, is correctly situated. In particular, those scales enable the user to cope with wall thicknesses which are somewhat different from the expected thickness. Having positioned one of the four devices 100 correctly relative to the wall opening, the user can drive a nail 128 through the upper end of the upper slot 112 into the wall bounding the opening, the nail having a head wider than the slot. A nail would be used particularly if that portion of the wall to which the device 100 is to be attached is of wood, for example if the whole of the thickness of the wall is of wood or if the interior part of the wall is of concrete and the attachment is to be made to wooden cladding as the exterior part of the wall. The upper end of that slot is positioned substantially directly above the centre of gravity of the device 100, so that the device remains roughly horizontal and does not tend significantly to swing into a vertical orientation, which could make the user's job more difficult. Two slots 112 are provided in the device 100 for the reason of left and right handing in relation to the sides of the opening 122. The inside ends of the mounted devices 100 project towards the inside of the building from the inside surface of the wall 120 for a reason to be explained below.

In circumstances where the user decides to employ a fastening arrangement which will tend to hold the device 100 in its desired position better than a nail driven into the upper end of the slot 112, for example when the wall 120 is of masonry, e.g. concrete, and the fixing of the device 100 in its temporary position requires drilling of a bore in the masonry, insertion of a plug into the bore, and screwing-in of a screw, the screw is introduced through the slot 110, for a reason to be explained below. The head of the screw would be wider than the slot 110.

Once the four devices 100 have been temporarily mounted in their appropriate positions, the frame 124 is introduced into the opening 122 and placed against the four abutments 106 and supported there from below in some suitable manner, while being levelled and accurately positioned relative to the top, bottom and sides of the opening 122. The frame 124 is then fixed to the wall 120 by a few permanent fastenings (not shown) distributed around the frame. Each device 100 in turn is now dismounted (for subsequent re-use for a door or another window) by striking the inside end of the device, so that, in the case where a nail is in the slot 112, the portion 102 is displaced upwardly and outwardly so that the nail is received in the slot 108 which is significantly wider than the head of the nail. In the case where, say, a screw is in the slot 110, the striking of the inside end of the device 100 causes the screw to be received in the slot 108, which is significantly wider than the head of the screw, The strip from which the device 100 is made is of a thickness, for example of between lmm and 3mm, less than half of the spacing between the frame 124 and the wall 120, so that with the head of the nail 128 in the slot 108, the device 100 can be displaced towards the frame 124 and then moved to the top or bottom of the frame and turned about a horizontal axis to swing the portion 106 inwardly through the top or bottom gap, as the case may be, between the frame 124 and the wall 120, so as to remove the device 100 from the opening 122. The inward swinging is facilitated by the narrowing form of the portion 104 and the resulting narrowness of the portion 106. Following removal of the four devices 100, the spacing between the frame 124 and the wall 120 can be suitably filled, for example with foam insulation.

The device shown in Figure 7 differs from that shown in Figures 1 and 2 in that the slots 112 having closed outer ends extend perpendicularly laterally from the slot 108, that the scale 116 has been omitted, and that the main portion 102 is formed with through holes 113 for releasable screwing of the device 100 to the surround of the opening 122 in the event that the depth of the frame 124 is relatively shallow; otherwise the slot configuration 108 to 112 is utilised in the manner already described.

The apparatus shown in Figure 4 is designed to be affixed to the inside surface of the wall 120 instead of to the wall surface facing the opening 122. This apparatus is used particularly when the opening-facing surface of the wall 120 is of masonry, such as brick or concrete, especially because it is easier for the user to drill fixing holes accurately into the inside surface of the wall 120 than into the opening-facing surface. In this apparatus, the device 100 is as in Figures 1 and 2, except that it is formed therealong with only one slot 130, which extends over the inner end zone of the device 100 from the inner extremity thereof. Moreover, although the scale 114 is as shown in Figure 1, the scale 116 is such as to indicate the distance from the inside surface of the end portion 106, so that the device 100 of Figure 4 can be used for a range of differing standard wall thicknesses, so that it is not so necessary to provide a range of devices 100 of differing lengths to meet a range of differing standard thicknesses. The apparatus includes additionally an angle bracket 132 having one horizontally projecting, planar limb 134 formed therealong with horizontal key-hole slots 136 terminating, at their ends nearer the other horizontally projecting, planar limb 138, in circular holes 140. The slots 136 are of equal length to each other, but their ends nearer the limb 138, i.e. the holes 140, are at differing horizontal spacings from the limb 138, in order that fixing screws inserted into masonry of the inside surface of the wall 120 should be at locations having a horizontal component of spacing from each other, so as to give steadier positioning of the bracket 132 than if the screws were to be located one directly above the other (i.e. without any horizontal component of spacing) . The limb 138 is formed, at a common level, with two holes 142 which receive the threaded shanks of respective bolts 144 upon which are screwed respective wing nuts 146 for manually releasably clamping the device 100 to the limb 138.

The method of use of the apparatuses, each as according to Figure 4, will now described.

Insofar as the device 100 itself is concerned, its method of use is very similar to that described above in relation to Figures 1 to 3.

In order to position correctly each of the apparatus according to Figure 4, first of all the bracket 132 is placed with its limb 134 face-to-face against the inside surface of the wall 120 and with its limb 138 nearer the opening 122 but spaced a short distance therefrom. Then bores are drilled into the masonry of that inside surface at the locations of the holes 140. After insertions of plugs into the bores and partial screwing into the plugs of respective screws (not shown) , the bracket 132 is moved along those screws until the outer planar surface of its limb 138 is substantially planar with that surface of the wall 120 bounding the opening 122. Then the screws are tightened with respect to the slots 136, obviously at respective locations outside the holes 140, to clamp the bracket 132 in position. In the event that the inside surface of the wall 120 is of a material such as wood, bores into the wall are not needed, because nails or screws can be driven directly into the wall at that surface. Then the device 100 is brought face-to-face with the limb 138 and the bolts 144 passed through the slot 130 and the holes 142 to enable the wing nuts 146 to be screwed onto the bolts 144. After appropriate positioning horizontally of the device 100 lengthwise thereof relative to the limb 138, the wing nuts 146 are tightened to clamp the device 100 to the bracket 132. To dismount the device 100 (for subsequent re-use for a door or another window) , the wing nuts 146 are unscrewed from the bolts 144 and the bolts 144 withdrawn to allow the device 100 to be removed. Then the screws or nails fixing the bracket 132 are removed so that the bracket 132 is detached from the wall 120 for re-use. Alternatively, the bracket 132 can be displaced parallelly to the inside surface of the wall 120 in a direction away from the opening 122 to bring the holes 140 into alignment with the nails or screws, so that the bracket 132 can be removed because the nail or screw heads are of smaller diameter than are the holes 140. A particular advantage of employment of the wing nuts 146 is that they can very quickly be manually tightened and loosened, to facilitate speedier use and re-use of the device 100, as compared with the more conventional nuts which require tightening and loosening with spanners.

Referring to Figure 5, there is again seen a window frame 124 which is to be mounted in an opening 122 in a wall 120. The opening 122 is of reduced area where the wall 120 has a surround 121 recessed into the opening 122. In order that the frame 124 may be firmly mounted in the surround 121, even though the frame 124 is to project outwardly depthwise from the surround 121, a connector 150 is provided (or a plurality of connectors 150 identical to each other and distributed around the window frame 124 are provided) . The or each connector is formed with a plurality of through holes 152 whereby the connector 150 may be fixed to the surround 120 by self-tapping screws (otherwise known as self-drilling screws) 154. Stamped out of the plane of the connector 150 so as to project from one of the major surfaces thereof are a plurality of teeth 156, in this case four such teeth near the respective corners of the connector 150, which is substantially rectangular and, in fact, almost square. One pair 156a of the teeth 156 is further from the associated corners of the connector than is the other pair 15βb, so as to leave a noticeable lip part 158 at the corresponding edge of the connector 150.

The method of using the connector 150 to fasten the window frame 124 to the surround 121 will now be described. It will be understood, although it is not shown, that, before the window frame 124 is introduced into its position ready for fastening to the surround 121, one or more devices 100 may be releasably mounted at the edge of the surround 121 for use in positioning the window frame 124. First of all, the connector 150 is positioned with its teeth 156a against the outermost surface of the surround 121 so that the lip part 158 projects to a predetermined extent outwardly from the surround. Then the connector 150 is pressed hard against the inner peripheral surface of the surround 121 such that the teeth 15βb engage in that surface and so hold the connector 150 against falling from its position on the surround 121. Then the connector 150 is fastened by the screws 154 to the surround, with the lip 158 still projecting outwardly to the predetermined extent beyond the surround 121. Then the frame 124 is placed in the opening 122 in its desired position in which it projects outwardly depthwise from the surround 121. Then a relatively long, self-tapping screw 160 is passed through a preformed bore 162 through the frame 124 and screwed into the lip 158 to fasten the frame 124 in that desired position.

The connector 150 enables more reliable fixing of the frame 124 to the surround 121 when the frame 124 is to protrude outwardly from the surround 121, because the screws (161) are screwed into the metal lips (158) themselves firmly fixed to the surround 121 instead of into, for example, thermally insulating external cladding of the wall 120. Moreover, the teeth 156a act as abutting lugs to assist in correct positioning of the connector 150, whilst the teeth 156b assist in maintaining the connector 150 in the desired position until the screws 154 have been fully screwed-in.

Claims

1. A method comprising releasably mounting a positioning device on a surround at an edge of an opening defined by said surround, placing an article in said opening so as to cause contact between said article and an abutment provided on said device, thereby to position said article as desired relative to said opening, fixing said article in position relative to said surround, and dismounting said device from said edge of said surround and removing said device from said opening.

I. A method according to claim 1, wherein said mounting comprises driving an elongate fastener into a depthwise surface of said surround and adjusting depthwise of said opening a longitudinally slotted elongate member of which said device is comprised and which is formed with said abutment, with said fastener and the slot configuration in the elongate member constituting a pin-in-slot connection between said surround and said elongate member.

5. A method according to claim 2, wherein said mounting further comprises, after said driving and before said placing, suspending said elongate member upon said fastener via said slot configuration such that said elongate member remains in equilibrium in a substantially horizontal orientation.

A method according to claim 2 or 3, wherein said mounting further comprises, following said adjusting, driving said fastener further into said surface to grip said elongate member between said surface and a head of said fastener, and wherein said dismounting comprises displacing said elongate member outwardly depthwise of said opening to bring said fastener to a widened portion of said slot configuration which can pass over said head. 5. A method according to claim 1, wherein said mounting comprises fixing a first limb of a bracket of said device to a surface of said surround facing inwardly depthwise of said opening, adjusting depthwise of said opening an elongate member included in said device, formed with said abutment and extending depthwise of said opening, and releasably fixing said elongate member to a second limb of said bracket.

5. A method according to claim 5, wherein said mounting includes adjustingly displacing said first limb transversely of said opening before fixing said first limb to said surface.

7. A method according to claim 5 or 6, wherein said dismounting comprises detaching said bracket from said surface.

J. A method comprising releasably mounting a positioning device on one of an article and a surround at an edge either of said article or of an opening defined by said surround, adjusting a pin-in-the slot connection depthwise of said one of said article and said surround so as to set the position of an abutment of said device relative to said one of said article and said surround, placing said article in said opening so as to cause contact between said abutment and the other of said article and said surround, thereby to position said article as desired relative to said opening, fixing said article in position relative to said surround, and dismounting said device from said edge of said one of said article and said surround and removing said device from said opening. i. A method according to claim 8, wherein said mounting comprises driving an elongate fastener into a depthwise surface of said one of said article and said surround and adjusting depthwise of said opening a longitudinally slotted elongate member of which said device is comprised and which is formed with said abutment, with said fastener and the slot configuration in the elongate member constituting said pin-in-slot connection.

10. A method according to claim 9, wherein said mounting further comprises, after said driving and before said placing, suspending said elongate member upon said fastener via said slot configuration such that said elongate member remains in equilibrium in a substantially horizontal orientation.

11. A method according to claim 9 or 10, wherein said mounting further comprises, following said adjusting, driving said fastener further into said surface to grip said elongate member between said surface and a head of said fastener, and wherein said dismounting comprises displacing said elongate member depthwise of said opening to bring said fastener to a widened portion of said slot configuration which can pass over said head.

12. A method according to claim 8, wherein said mounting comprises fixing a first limb of a bracket of said device to a surface of said one of said article and said surround facing inwardly depthwise of said opening, adjusting depthwise of said opening an elongate member included in said device, formed with said abutment and extending depthwise of said opening, and releasably fixing said elongate member to a second limb of said bracket.

13. A method according to claim 12, wherein said mounting includes adjustingly displacing said first limb transversely of said opening before fixing said first limb to said surface.

14. A method according to claim 12 or 13 wherein said dismounting comprises detaching said bracket from said surface.

15. A method comprising fixing a rigid, substantially flat connector to a surround at an edge of an opening defined by said surround, positioning an article in depthwise alignment with said opening, and fixing said connector to said article, said connector finally occupying a position in which said connector extends depthwise beyond said surround.

16. A method according to claim 15 and further comprising, before said fixing, bringing at least one abutting lug of said connector against said surround to locate said connector relative to said surround.

17. A method according to claim 15 or 16 and further comprising, before said fixing, attaching said connector to said surround by applying pressure to said connector to drive into said surround a sharp projection of said connector.

18. A method according to any one of claims 15 to 17 and further comprising, before said positioning, releasably mounting a positioning device on one of said article and said surround, said positioning causing contact between the other of said article and said surround and an abutment provided on said device, thereby to position said article as desired relative to said opening, and, following said fixing, dismounting said device from said edge of said one of said article and said surround and removing said device from said opening.

19. A method according to claim 18, wherein said mounting comprises driving an elongate fastener into a depthwise surface of said one of said article and said surround and adjusting depthwise of said opening a longitudinally slotted elongate member of which said device is comprised and which is formed with said abutment, with said fastener and the slot configuration in the elongate member constituting a pin-in-slot connection between said surround and said elongate member .

20. A method according to claim 19, wherein said mounting further comprises, after said driving and before said placing, suspending said elongate member upon said fastener via said slot configuration such that said elongate member remains in equilibrium in a substantially horizontal orientation.

21. A method according to claim 19 or 20, wherein said mounting further comprises, following said adjusting, driving said fastener further into said surface to grip said elongate member between said surface and a head of said fastener, and wherein said dismounting comprises displacing said elongate member depthwise of said opening to bring said fastener to a widened portion of said slot configuration which can pass over said head.

22. A method according to claim 18, wherein said mounting comprises fixing a first limb of a bracket of said device to a surface of said one of said article and said surround facing inwardly depthwise of said opening, adjusting depthwise of said opening an elongate member included in said device, formed with said abutment and extending depthwise of said opening, and releasably fixing said elongate member to a second limb of said bracket.

23. A method according to claim 22, wherein said mounting includes adjustingly displacing said first limb transversely of said opening before fixing said first limb to said surface.

24. A method according to claim 22 or 236 wherein said dismounting comprises detaching said bracket from said surface.

25. A positioning device for use in positioning an article in an opening, said device comprising a rigid, substantially L-shaped member and being attachable to material bounding said opening, said member comprising a shorter limb for serving as an abutment and a longer limb for locating between said article and a surround defining said opening, said longer limb comprising a slot configuration enabling displacement of said longer limb longitudinally of itself relative to said surround.

26. A device according to claim 25, wherein said member is strip-like.

27. A device according to claim 26, wherein said member has been manufactured by stamping and/or laser-cutting, and then bending, a strip of rigid material.

28. A device according to claim 26 or 27, wherein said longer limb comprises a main portion of substantially rectangular form in elevation, followed by a minor portion which is narrower in elevation and wherein said shorter limb is of a width substantially equal to that of the adjacent end of the longer limb.

29. A device according to any one of claims 25 to 28, wherein said slot configuration comprises a slot extending substantially axially of said longer limb.

30. A device according to claim 29, wherein said slot configuration further comprises a narrower slot continuing on towards said shorter limb from the first- mentioned slot.

31. A device according to claim 29 or 30, wherein said slot configuration further comprises an inclined slot extending laterally from the first-mentioned slot and closed at its laterally outer end.

32. A device according to claim 31, wherein said slot configuration further comprises a second inclined slot extending laterally from the first-mentioned slot oppositely to the first-mentioned inclined slot and closed at its laterally outer end.

33. A device according to claim 31 or 32, wherein the closed end of the or each inclined slot is located substantially perpendicularly laterally of the centre of mass of said elongate member.

34. A device according to any one of claims 25 to 29, and further comprising a bracket comprised of a first limb attachable to said material and a second limb transverse to said first limb and slidingly connectible to said member by way of said slot configuration.

35. A device according to claim 34 , wherein said first limb is formed with at least one slot therealong for enabling longitudinal adjustment of the position of said first limb.

36. A rigid, substantially flat connector including a plurality of holes therethrough for receiving elongate fastening members, and at least one sharp projection from a major surface of said connector.

37. A connector according to claim 36, and which has been manufactured by stamping and/or laser cutting.

38. A connector according to claim 36 or 39, and further comprising, projecting from said major surface, an abutting lug spaced from an edge of said connector and for use in positioning said connector relative to an object to which said connector is to be fastened in such manner that a lip part of said connector bounded by said edge projects beyond said object.

39. A connector according to claim 38 and further comprising, projecting from said major surface and equidistant with said abutting lug from said edge, a second abutting lug for use in said positioning.

40. A connector according to claim 38 or 39, wherein the sharp projection (s) is/are spaced from an edge of said connector opposite to the first-mentioned edge through a lesser distance than the spacing between the first- mentioned edge and the abutting lug(s).

41. In combination, a surround defining an opening, an article in depthwise alignment with said opening and projecting depthwise beyond said surround, a substantially flat, rigid connector fixed to said article and said surround at edges of said article and of said opening, said connector occupying a position in which part of said connector projects depthwise beyond said surround in the same direction as the projecting of said article beyond said surround, and a self- tapping screw extending through a peripheral portion of said article into said part.

42. A combination according to claim 41, wherein said connector includes at least one sharp projection from a major surface of said connector and engaged in said surround.

43. A combination according to claim 42, wherein said connector further comprises, projecting from said major surface, an abutting lug spaced from an edge of said connector and locating said connector relative to said surround such that said part of said connector bounded by said edge projects beyond said surround.

44. A combination according to claim 43 and further comprising, projecting from said major surface and equidistant with said abutting lug from said edge, a second abutting lung also performing said locating.

45. A combination according to claim 43 or 44, wherein the sharp projection (s) is/are spaced from an edge of said connector opposite to the first-mentioned edge through a lesser distance than the spacing between the first- mentioned edge and the abutting lug(s).