WO2014008534A1 - Adjustable frame assembly for a door, window, screen or the like - Google Patents

Abstract

A frame assembly comprising an inner frame and an outer frame wherein said inner frame is formed of four or more inner frame members including two vertically orientated side members and two horizontally orientated upper and lower members joined together to form a substantially rigid structure and wherein said outer frame is formed of outer frame members adjustably connected to said inner frame by operable orthogonal connectors.

Description

ADJUSTABLE FRAME ASSEMBLY FOR A DOOR, WINDOW, SCREEN OR THE LIKE

Introduction and background to invention

This invention relates to door or window type structures and in particular relates to an adjustable frame assembly hereinafter referred to as a "wing" that finds application in a range of door, window, screen type products.

Some of the inventions described within find application in addressing an age-old problem with doors, gates and screens these structures within this specification being embraced by the term "wing". The problem relates to the manufacture and fitting of each wing so that it is suited to the opening with which it is associated and this includes having acceptable working clearances between the wing and opening and not to having unacceptable "gaps" around the periphery.

In general, "openings" (where "opening" in some contexts includes the frame defining the actual opening) are fabricated according to standard dimensions but some are constructed on site of convenient dimensions and in either case, some (through poor workmanship) are non-rectangular and some openings become skewed as a result of house settlement.

In spite of this, retailers sell doors of standard sizes to suit such openings often resulting in poorly fitting doors. In other cases, doors are "made-to-measure" by a time consuming process where the opening is measured and a door is manufactured to suit the particular opening - sometimes even this process results in a poorly fitting door.

In other cases, a substantially rectangular door is supported within a shaped bracket that is attached to the opening by hinges and that extends along the lower edge of the door. Although the assembly is adaptable to change the size of the door/bracket assembly it not easy to do and in sometimes on-site fabrication is required; in other forms the door/bracket assembly has undesirable corner gaps.

Summary of the Invention

In a first aspect the invention provides an adjustable frame assembly or wing comprising an inner frame and an outer frame wherein said inner frame is formed of four or more inner frame members including two vertically orientated side members and two horizontally orientated upper and lower members joined together to form a substantially rigid load bearing structure and wherein said outer frame is formed of outer frame members adjustably connected to said inner frame by operable orthogonal connectors.

The orthogonal connections may be adapted to reduce relative rotation between the said inner and outer frame members. The horizontally orientated upper and lower inner frame members are preferably structurally enhanced to provided an increased moment of inertia to said inner frame.

A force applied to either the inner or outer frame may give rise to a reaction in the other frame which restrains the assembly against deflection: Any forces applied to either frame are conveyed by the operable orthogonal connectors.

The structural enhancement preferably includes an increased width of said upper and lower inner frame members relative to said side inner frame members.

The orthogonal members are preferably captively fitted to said outer frame members and adjustable fitted to said inner frame members such that rotation of the orthogonal connectors controls the distance and orientation between the rigid inner frame and the outer frame by moving the respective outer frame members relative to the rigid inner frame.

The respective operable orthogonal connectors preferably comprise an operable member supported relative to the inner frame and engaged relative to the respective outer frame member wherein the operable member operates to displace the respective outer frame member towards and away from the inner frame.

The operable member preferably comprises a head captively engaged with the respective outer frame member and an elongate stud supported relative to the inner frame.

The head most preferably occupies a substantially rectangular hollow portion of the respective outer frame member and is substantially cylindrical in form having a diameter and a width substantially the same as the depth and width of the hollow portion respectively and the stud most preferably comprises an elongate threaded stud supported relative to the inner frame.

The stud most preferably comprises an elongate threaded stud supported and able to rotate in a threaded recess supported relative to the inner frame and wherein said stud and said head in usage displace as one.

The inner frame is most preferably substantially rectangular and includes inner frame members each including an outwardly orientated peripheral channel occupied by outer frame members. The inner frame most preferably includes spaced second vertical inner frame members connected rigidly to spaced first horizontal inner frame members. The channel of each said inner frame member may be occupied by a second outer frame member with a channel of each first inner member being occupied by a first outer frame member.

An operable orthogonal connector most preferably extended relative to at least one end of at least one respective outer frame member to connect the outer frame member to the inner frame member. The horizontal inner frame members most preferably extend between the vertical inner frame members to connect thereto in rigid butt joints.

In a particularly preferred embodiment each corner of the frame assembly has a first operable orthogonal connector having an operable member including a first stud that extends orthogonally to the axis of the horizontal inner frame member and a second operable orthogonal connector having an operable member including a second stud extending relative to the axis of the first inner frame member. The first stud most preferably extends through an elongate first slot of the adjacent outer frame member and the second stud extends through an elongate second slot of the adjacent outer frame member wherein the first slot and the first stud displaced relatively in a response to angular displacement of the operable member of the first connector and wherein the second slot and the second stud displaced relatively in response to the displacement of the operable member of the second connector.

In a particularly preferred embodiment each end of each outer frame member is connected to another outer frame member by a respective adjustable corner joint. The corner joint is preferably formed at 90°.

Each corner joint preferably retains the relative end position of the outer frame members whilst allowing limited relative angular displacement of the corner joint.

The outer frame members most preferably connect thereto in adaptable butt joints. Each end of each outer edge of each first outer frame member preferably remain in contact with the inner edge of a respective second outer frame member.

Each outer frame member most preferably includes longitudinally elongate hollow end portions and adaptable corner joints including a corner connector having orthogonally spaced protrusions adapted to co-operated with the respective hollow end portions of each outer frame member to form the joint; in particular with a first protrusion to extend into the hollow within an end of a first outer frame member and a second protrusion to extend into the hollow within the adjacent end of a second outer frame member connected to the first outer frame member.

In a particularly preferred embodiment the second protrusion is preferably configured to preclude relative angular displacement and translation therein between said second protrusion and the surrounding walls of the hollow. In this manner the second protrusion prevents displacement outside the plane of the frame.

The first protrusion is preferably configured to restrict relative angular displacement and translation between said first protrusion and the surrounding walls of the respective hollow other than to enable limited relative angular displacement in a plane substantially parallel to the plane substantially defining the frame assembly. In this manner the first protrusion allows restricted displacement within the plane of the frame assembly.

Each outer frame member preferably includes a linear joint enabling the opposed ends of each outer frame member to be linearly displaced so as to change the length of said outer frame member.

The inner frame may include an infilling portion supported relative to a peripheral elongated recess of the inner frame.

The infilling portion may include inextensible material that in some forms includes woven steel mesh and/or perforated metal sheet.

The infilling portion most preferably includes glass and/or any substantially planar rigid material.

The infilling portion within the recess is most preferably enveloped by resilient and/or clamping means assisting retaining the infilling portion.

The resilient and/or clamping retaining means may also include insulating properties so as to insulate the infilling portion from the inner frame.

In a particularly preferred embodiment the frame assembly or wing as previously described is configured as a door with the door most preferably including a lock and hinges.

In another aspect of the invention, there is frame assembly or wing including an infill including an inner frame and an overlapping adaptable outer frame including outer frame members,

said outer frame connected to the inner frame by operable orthogonal connectors that structurally connect the said frames while controlling the distances between them.

In another aspect of the invention, a force applied to either frame give rise to a reaction in the other frame that helps to restrain the wing against deflection.

In another aspect of the invention, the forces and/or torques applied to either frame as a result of forces and/or torques applied to the other frame are substantially conveyed by the operable orthogonal connectors.

In another aspect of the invention, relative to at least one end of at least one respective outer frame member a respective operable orthogonal connector extends to connect the respective outer frame member to the inner frame.

In another aspect of the invention, each respective operable orthogonal connector comprises an operable member supported relative to the inner frame and engaged relative to the respective outer frame member,

said operable member operable to displace the respective outer frame member towards and away from the inner frame. ln another aspect of the invention, the operable member comprises a head engaged with the respective outer frame member and an elongated stud supported relative to the inner frame.

In another aspect of the invention, the head occupies a substantially rectangular hollow portion of the respective outer frame member and is substantially cylindrical in form having a diameter and width substantially the same as the depth and width of the hollow portion respectively, the stud comprising an elongated threaded stud supported relative to the inner frame.

In another aspect of the invention, the stud comprises an elongated threaded stud supported and able to rotate in a threaded recess sited relative to the inner frame and wherein said stud and head in usage displace as one.

In another aspect of the invention, the inner frame is substantially rectangular and includes inner frame members each including an outwardly orientated peripheral channel occupied by outer frame members,

said inner frame including spaced second inner frame members connected rigidly to spaced first inner frame members, the channel of each said second inner frame member being occupied by a second outer frame member, the channel of each said first inner frame member being occupied by a first outer frame member.

In another aspect of the invention, at least one first inner frame member is structurally enhanced by having an increased axial moment of inertia whereby to be more resistant to deflection.

In another aspect of the invention, the at least one structurally enhanced inner frame member is characterized by an increased width.

In another aspect of the invention, the first inner frame members extend between the spaced second inner frame members to connect to them in rigid butt joints.

In another aspect of the invention, each first inner frame member comprises a horizontal member.

In another aspect of the invention, relative to each corner of the wing there is a first operable orthogonal connector having a first operable member including a first stud that extends orthogonally to the axis of the first inner frame member and a second operable orthogonal connector having second operable member including a second stud that extends longitudinally relative to the axis of the first inner frame member,

wherein the first stud extends through a longitudinally elongated first slot of the adjacent first outer frame member and the second stud extends through a longitudinally elongated second slot of the adjacent second outer frame member,

wherein the first slot and first stud displace relatively in response to angular displacement of the second operable member, and

wherein the second slot and second stud displace relatively in response to displacement of the first operable member.

In another aspect of the invention, each end of each outer frame is connected to another outer frame member by a respective adaptable corner joint.

In another aspect of the invention, each adaptable corner joint retains the ends of the outer frame members participating in the joint relatively positioned while free to execute limited relative angular displacement.

In another aspect of the invention, the first outer frame members extend between the second outer frame members to connect to them in adaptable butt joints.

In another aspect of the invention, each end of each outer edge of each first outer frame member remains in contact with the inner edge of a respective second outer frame member.

In another aspect of the invention, each outer frame member includes longitudinally elongated hollow end portions and wherein each adaptable corner joint includes a corner connector having orthogonally spaced legs, a first leg to extend into the hollow within an end of a first outer frame member and a second leg to extend into the hollow within the adjacent end of a second outer frame member connected to the first outer frame member,

the second leg configured to preclude relative angular displacement and translation between it and the surrounding walls of the hollow,

the first leg configured to restrict relative angular displacement and translation between it and the surrounding walls of the respective hollow other than to enable limited relative angular displacement in a plane substantially parallel the plane substantially defining the wing.

In another aspect of the invention, each outer frame member includes a respective linear joint enabling the opposed ends of each respective outer frame member to be relatively rectilinearly displaced whereby to change the length of each respective outer frame member.

In another aspect of the invention, each outer frame member includes

a linear joint to enable its length to be changed, wherein displacement of one or more operable members causes the length of one or more each outer frame member to change to change the shape of the wing. ln another aspect of the invention, the infill comprises an infilling portion supported relative to a peripherally elongated recess of the inner frame.

In another aspect of the invention, the infilling portion comprises inextensible material that in some forms comprises woven steel mesh and/or perforated metal sheet.

In another aspect of the invention, the infilling portion comprises glass and/or any other substantially planar rigid material.

In another aspect of the invention, the infilling portion within the recess is substantially enveloped by resilient and/or clamping means assisting to retain the infilling portion.

In another aspect of the invention, the resilient and/or clamping means said means also acts to insulate the infilling portion from the inner frame.

In another aspect of the invention, there is a wing configured as a door.

In another aspect of the invention, there is a wing taking the form of a door including a lock and hinges.

In another aspect of the invention, there is a wing comprising a substantially conventional Australian screen door.

In another of the invention, there is a wing comprising a substantially conventional French Door.

According to another aspect of the invention, there is a wing substantially as described herein with reference to the accompanying figures.

The elements relating to the various aspects of the invention claimed within are identified within the specification as below. Unless the context requires otherwise:

• "Locks" or variations such as "lock" embraces complete locks, mortise locks and improvements for locks without being limited to complete locks.

· "Mortise Lock" will be understood to include a lock body including a casing and an extendable bolt, a strike plate, a pair of handle assemblies and a cylinder.

• "Cylinder" will be understood to include cylinders having opposed coaxially supported single cylinders with opposed barrels each operably connected to the same angularly displaceable cam - that in usage is operably connected in the lock body.

· "Furniture" will be understood to include door furniture that includes a "handle assembly" that includes a handle supported by a base that together in one form comprises a disengaging handle supported by a back-plate or base.

• "Comprise" or variations such as "comprises" or "comprising" implies the inclusion of a stated integer or group of integers but not the exclusion of any other integer or group of integers. • Positional prepositions such as "rear" and "forward" in general are used with reference to the accompanying drawings and have in general, no absolute significance.

• "Overlap" and derivations such as "overlaps", as in a member overlapping another member in some contexts embraces the member (at least in-part) overlying the other member.

• "Meshes with" implies "engaging with".

• "Translation" embraces moving between two points in space, rectilinear or otherwise.

• "Extent" will be understood to embrace area, form and shape.

• Headings and underlining's are included for convenience only and not to have affect on interpretation.

• "Preferably" or variations such as "prefer" does not imply that the form of an integer is restricted to that referred to as preferred, but implies adequate and if need be, able to adequately perform a function required by the invention. "Improvements" does not imply that the form of an integer is restricted to that referred to as "improved", but implies an alternative form of the integer/s "well suited" to particular applications and if need be, able to adequately perform a function required by the invention.

• "Wing" or variations such as "wings" embraces man-made fabrication including complete wings and improvements in wings without being limited to the wings described herein below; "wings" embracing doors, windows, window screens, gates, shutters and frame assemblies.

• "Member" is an identifiable entity having material form that may include one or more identifiable components.

• "Recess" embrace a hole that extends from a surface while "Aperture" in some contexts implies a hole that extends between surfaces.

· "French Door" includes a door including a frame and a substantially transparent in-fill that may comprise glass or other suitable material.

• "Screen door" includes a door including a frame and screen in-fill that may comprise fiberglass mesh, woven metal mesh or perforated metal mesh, or other suitable material.

• "Conventional Security Door" includes a screen door having a peripheral hollow frame.

• "Cross-Sectional View" in relation to figures should be interpreted as a cross- sectional view defined by a plain orthogonal to the axis of the member in consideration.

• Patent Specification shall be taken to include: a Body [comprising a Title, a Description of Preferred Embodiment/s, an Abstract and a Summary of the Invention] and Claims. • A "Butt Joint" in relation to the frame of a wing is characterized by two elongated frame members (having longitudinally elongated axis relatively inclined at an "included angle") where the end of a first member abuts the inner edge of a second member, in an orthogonal "butt joint" the included angle is 90 degrees.

· A "rectangular butt-jointed frame" comprises spaced second frame members and first frame members that extend between the second frame members to connect to them in orthogonal butt joints.

• Unless the context requires otherwise, any prior publications and usage referred to herein, is not an assertion that any of this material forms part of the common general knowledge in the art in any other country at the priority date of any claim herein (or the priority date of any future claim derived at least in part from this specification).

The integers described within include those related to the various aspects of the invention claimed within and they include those related to the various aspects of other inventions to be claimed in future divisional applications and continuations in part.

Where an integer is attributed with attributes different from those attributed in an earlier application on which this application relies for priority, the integer will be regarded as the same integer in a different form; where there is actual inconsistency, the latest description will prevail.

The inventions described within although not limited to such, include alternative forms of, and improvements to the wings described in the following specifications:

PCT/AU2007/000865 Wings and 2007 264 393 and 2007 202 874,

PCT/AU2009/000081 Wings and 2009 2080 15,

PCT/AU2010/000409 and Complete Application AU 2010 201468; these prior patent specifications being hereby included by reference being referred to as patent specifications "included herein by reference".

The inventions described within although not limited to such, include alternative forms of, and improvements to, the wings described in Provisional Applications 2012902932, 9Jul12; 20139001 16, 1 1Jan13; 2012905654, 22Dec12

Description of the Figures

Notwithstanding any other forms that may fall within its scope, preferred embodiments of the invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings and legend in which:

Figure 1 is an isometric view of a wing comprising an infilling portion 8 supported relative to a peripheral frame.

Figure 2 is a schematic view of cross-section AA of Fig 1 . Figure 3 is a schematic view of cross-section BB of Fig 1 .

Figure 4 is an enlarged view of the frame portion shown within the dotted line in Fig

1 .

Figure 5 is a schematic exploded isometric view of the wing shown in Fig 1 showing an infill including an inner frame and infilling portion connected to an outer frame by operable orthogonal connectors.

Figure 6 is a schematic isometric exploded view of the upper portion of the inner frame shown in fig 5 showing portions of inner frame members and operable orthogonal connectors.

Figure 7 is a schematic view of cross-section CC of Fig 6.

Figure 8 is a schematic isometric exploded view of the upper portion of the outer frame shown in Fig 5.

Figure 9 is a schematic view of cross-section DD of Fig 8.

Figure 10 is a schematic side view of the outer frame portion shown within the dotted line in Fig 1 where the included angle is larger than 90 deg.

Figure 1 1 is a schematic side view of the outer frame portion shown within the dotted line in Fig 1 where the included angle is less than 90 deg.

Figure 12 is a schematic side view of the wing portion within the dotted line of Fig 1 when the wing is in its smallest configuration.

Figure 13 is a schematic side view of the wing portion within the dotted line of Fig 1 when the upper and side outer frame members have been displaced away from the inner frame.

Figure 14 is a schematic isometric view of the wing of Fig 1 configured to have multiple sub-infills and configured as a door having hinges and a mortise lock.

Figure 15 is a schematic view of cross-section EE of Fig 14.

Figure 16 is an enlarged view of the wing portion shown within the dotted line in Fig 14 showing a mortise lock mounted relative to the closing edge of the door including a lock body supported relative to a slot within the edge of the outer frame and back plates of a handle assemblies attached to the sides of the outer frame while being located within a slotted edge recess of the inner frame.

Legend

1 . Wing

2. Infill

3. Outer Frame

5. Sides

5a. Return 6. U Channel

7. Opening

8. Infilling Portion

9. Inner Frame

10. Base

1 1 . Outer Frame Members

13. Fin

15. Channel

18. Opposed Sides

19. Longitudinal elongated recess

21 . Inner edge wall

22. Outer edge wall

23. Linear Joint

24. Inner frame members

25. Outer frame portion

26. Connecting members

27. Fastener

28. Aperture

29. Aperture

31 . Outer frame member

32. Outer frame member

33. Outer frame member

34. Outer frame member

35. Second inner frame member

36. First inner frame member

37. Slots

38. Slots

39. Ends

40. Corner connector

41 . Second protrusion

42. First protrusion

43. Spaced side recess

44. Apertures

45. First aperture

46. Fasteners

47. Screws 51 . Shoulders

52. End

53. Fastener

54. Recess

61 . Recess

62. Recess

64. Shoulder

65. Shoulder

67. Aperture

68. Fasteners

69. Aperture

71 . Orthogonal connector

73. Operable member

74. Stud

75. Second head

76. Slot

77. Slot

78. Drive recess

79. Aperture

80. Sub-infills

81 . Central inner frame member

82. Central inner frame member

83. Projecting wing

86. Long outer frame portion

87. Short outer frame portion

91 . Temporary fastener

92. Mortise lock

93. Aperture

95. Lock body

97. Drive rod

98. Spigots

99. Bank plate

100. Aperture

101. Single recess

102. Hinge

103. Fastener Detailed Description of Preferred Embodiments.

The problems previously raised in relation to adjustable frame assemblies or wings (including doors and window screens) raise the possibility of designing a wing that is configurable to suit openings of different widths and/or different heights and further, of being adaptable to suits many different common openings.

Such adjustable wings would be manufactured without reference to particular openings (which is time consuming and expensive) and by modern manufacturing methods and systems resulting in reduced manufacturing costs and improved quality.

Further, some forms could be configured so as to fit within a normal sedan vehicle for easy transportation thus overcoming a difficulty experienced by shoppers who purchase doors from retail outlets.

Notwithstanding that some of the inventions within are described with reference to the wings shown in the figures, they are not limited to such wings.

The inventions include a wing 1 referencing Fig 1 to 16, including an infill 2 and an overlapping outer frame 3.

In some forms, referencing Fig 2 & 3, the infill 2 is bounded by a return 5A that extends along the periphery of the infill, in some forms the infill is configured to include a pair of spaced returns 5A configured as sides 5 that define between them, a substantially U shaped elongated U channel 6 that extends along the periphery of the infill 2 by extending inwardly from an opening 7; in some forms sides 5 extend along the entire periphery of the infill to form a continuous uninterrupted channel 15. In some forms the sides 5 are substantially parallel.

In some forms, the infill 2 includes an infilling portion 8 supported by an inner frame 9 comprised of inner frame members 24 each configured to include a base 10 from which sides 5 extend outwardly to form the U channel 6, the channels of each inner frame member together comprising the peripheral channel 15.

In some forms, referencing Fig 4 & 5 the outer frame 3 comprises elongated outer frame members 1 1 that extend within the peripheral channel 15 to comprise a continuous uninterrupted outer frame 3.

In some forms the infilling portion is rigid or semi-rigid and being resistant to deflection and in other forms it is inextensible and is resistant to shearing and stretching within the plane that substantially defines it. In some forms the infilling portion includes one or multiple of the following: flat glass, woven metal mesh, fiberglass mesh, perforated sheet metal, perforated sheet metal, bars or any other suitable material having a suitable form. COMPETING DESIGN CONSIDERATIONS

For reasons described below, it is desirable for the inner and outer frame members to have minimum widths but competing design considerations impact on the sizes that may be employed, these including:

· the widths of inner and outer frame members need to be to be large enough to always overlap even when the wing has been adjusted to the largest size within the predetermined range of opening sizes the wing has been designed to embrace.

• in the case of a door, the outer frame member needs to accommodate a lock.

• the smaller is the depth the less expensive will be the frame and the better the appearance.

• in some forms, where the wing comprises a screen door, the wing in some forms is further configured so that the outer frame always protrudes a distance from the inner frame so as to abut the frame of the door opening when the wing is closed to enable normal door fitting procedures to be used.

· the inner and outer frames together must provide a structurally sound wing sufficiently robust for the intended purpose

These considerations and in particular the variability requirements place restrictions on the forms (defined in-part by cross-sections) the inner and outer frames may take.

OUTER FRAME

In some forms, referencing Fig 8 to 1 1 , the outer frame members 11 have a substantially rectangular cross-section including a substantially rectangular hollow and they include a longitudinally elongated recess 19, an outer edge wall 22 connected to an opposed inner edge wall 21 by opposed sides 18; the outer frame member 1 1 , referencing Fig 9, being defined by an edge depth "d7", a side width "w1 " and a side-wall thickness "t and by a longitudinal axial axis. In some forms of outer frame member, the opposed spaced sides 18 extend inwardly from the inner wall 21 for a distance of d6 to form opposed fins 13 (that provide increased overlapping of the inner frame and also increase the stiffness of the outer frame members), the ends of which define a subsidiary inner edge 21 A; these fins extending longitudinally to form an inwardly orientated channel 14.

Hollow rectangular outer frame members 1 1 are well suited to many wings including doors and screens; they may be manufactured from any suitable material and by any suitable process; in some forms they include one or several of the following: drawn steel tube, extruded aluminium, roll-formed steel, extruded plastic (including pvc) or any suitable material having a suitable form. ln some forms, referencing Fig 8, at least one outer frame member 31 includes a linear joint 23 to have a changeable length, it comprising a pair of outer frame portions 25, joined by a longitudinally elongated connecting member 26 that extends from within the hollow of the first outer frame portion 25 into the hollow within the second outer frame portion 25 to be thus connected to each and to mate with the outer frame portions with working clearances that enable outer frame portions to be moved apart to lengthen the respective outer frame member. In some forms of wings, a linear joint 23 is included in each outer frame member 1 1 to enable the effective lengths of each outer frame member 1 1 to be increased from a minimum length to a longer length where there is an increased gap between the respective outer frame portions.

The connecting member 26, referencing Figs 8 and 9, in some forms has an outer form configured to mate with minimum clearance within the respective hollows and the connecting member is configured to have a form not substantially dissimilar to the surface of the outer frame member 1 1 so that the visual impact of the exposed portion seen within the gap is minimized. This impact is further minimized by minimizing the thickness of the visible walls 22 of the outer frame (as shown in the figures and in particular as shown in Fig 9). In some forms, each connecting member 26 is attached rigidly to the first outer frame portion 25 by means that in some forms comprises a fastener 27 that extends through an aperture 28 (not shown) in the first outer frame portion 25 and coaxially through a corresponding aperture 29 (not shown) in the inner edge of the connecting member 26.

Connecting members 26 may be manufactured from any suitable material and by any suitable process; in may include any one or multiple of the following: drawn steel tube, extruded aluminium, roll-formed steel, extruded plastic (including pvc) or any other suitable material having a suitable form.

The frame assembly or wing may include an infill included herein by reference and/or the infill includes an infilling portion 8 bounded by a substantially rigid inner frame 9 comprising inner frame members 24 each having an outwardly orientated U channel 6 that extend along their respective peripheral lengths that together comprise channel 15; in some forms the infilling portion comprises a substantially rigid planar material and in others it comprises inextensible material. In some forms, the infilling portion acts to help restrain opposed inner frame members 24 from relatively displacing in opposite directions parallel the plane substantially defining the infilling portion (sometimes referred to as skewing).

In some forms, the inner frame is substantially rectangular, referencing Figs 5 and 6 and includes spaced second or vertical inner frame members 35 and spaced first or horizontal inner frame members 36, the channel of each said second inner frame member 35 occupied by a second outer frame member 1 1V, the channel of each said first inner frame member 36 occupied by a first outer frame member 1 1 H, each said first outer frame member being connected at each end to a respective second outer frame member by a respective corner joint.

In some forms of wings embracing the inventions, the second inner frame members 35 are vertical member and the first inner frame members 36 are horizontal member - this form is particularly relevant to doors. In some forms the wing has a smallest configuration where each outer frame member is adjacent to an inner frame member 36, 35 and in some forms, the wing also has a largest configuration where each outer frame member is parallel to the corresponding inner frame member 36, 35.

The inner frame members 35, 36 are connect by corner joints; in some forms the spaced first inner frame members 36 extend between the spaced second inner frame members 36 to connect to them in rigid butt joints; in which case the ends of the first inner frame 36 members abut and overlap the inner edges of the second inner frame members 35.

This features requires the inside edges of the ends of the second outer frame members to be machined, referencing Fig 6, to provide slots 37 to enable the first outer frame channels to connect to the second outer frame channels to enable the peripheral channel 15 to extend around the periphery of the inner frame in an uninterrupted form.

In some forms, referencing Fig 6, slots 38 extend from slot 37 to provide free passage for respective fins 13 (not shown) .

Referencing Fig 5, a form of wing includes first outer frame members 1 1 H, (also denoted 31 in a door) and 1 1 H (also denoted 32 in a door) and second outer frame members 1 1V (also denoted 33 in a door) and 1 1V (also denoted 34 in a door) the first and second outer frame members connected and in some forms, connected by means described in the patents included by reference; in other forms, the first outer frame members extend between to be connected to second outer frame member by respective adaptable butt corner joints as described below.

In some forms, all outer frame corner joints are configured as adaptable butt joints, referencing Figs 6, 10 and 1 1 in which the included angle may be changed but otherwise the connected ends of each outer frame member participating within the joint are held relatively positioned. In some forms, the ends 39 of the first outer frame members 1 1 H, are angled inwardly, referencing Fig 10 & 1 1 , by the max pre-determined relative angular displacement accommodated (in the example below +,- 2 deg) so that the ends of the outer edges 22 of the first outer frame members always abut with a respective second outer frame member to minimize the visible portion of the gap 39 - noting that only that part of the gap 39 not within the peripheral channel 15 of the inner frame is visible. ln some forms, each adaptable butt joint includes a corner connector 40 having two legs or protrusions, a second leg or protrusion 41 extending within the hollow or recess 19 of a second outer frame member 1 1V and a first leg or protrusion 42 extending within the hollow or recess 19 of a first outer frame member 11 H. In some forms, the second leg or protrusion 41 has spaced side recesses 43 and the inner edge wall 21 of the adjacent second outer frame member 1 1V has apertures 44 identically spaced, the first leg or protrusion 42 has first apertures 45 also identically spaced and providing free access for fasteners 46 to extend to extend through the apertures 44 to engage in the recesses 43. In some cases the fasteners 46 comprise screws 47 that engage in threaded engagement and that are tightened to squeeze the outer frame member 1 1V between the legs or protrusions 41 and 42 of the corner connector 40. In some forms, the each corner is configured substantially as described above. The first leg or protrusion 42 has a width less than that of the hollow or recess 19 to enable the first outer frame member 1 1 H to angularly displace relative to the vertical outer frame member 1 1V between + Theta to - Theta degrees and in the example described below, between + 2 deg and - 2 deg.

In some forms, each end of each first outer frame inner member 1 1 H is further configured substantially as shown, with reference Fig 13, to include opposed inwardly extending shoulders 51 that project substantially the same distance inwardly so as to abut the adjacent first leg 42 so as to preclude the adjacent portion of the first outer frame member 1 1 H from displacing relative to the associated first leg or protrusion 42. Clearance between the inwardly orientated end 52 of the first leg or protrusion 42 and the adjacent walls of the hollow 19 enables the first outer frame member 1 1 H to displace relative to end 52 and consequently the first outer frame member 1 H to angularly displace about the extending shoulders 51.

In some forms, the corner joint is configured to include a fastener 53 having a head located within a recess 54 in the outer wall 22 adjacent to the shoulder 51 to retain the outer frame member 31 relative to the first horizontal leg or protrusion 42 by preventing relative longitudinal displacement.

INNER FRAME

In some forms the inner frame is substantially rigid and load bearing to provide the load bearing capacity of the wing and allow maximum flexibility and adjustment to the outer frame.

In some forms the load bearing rigidity is provided by four or more inner frame members including two vertically orientated side members and two horizontally orientated upper/lower members which join together to provide said rigidity and load bearing to said inner frame. ln some forms, referencing Fig 5, 6 the second inner frame members 35 are configured to have minimum widths consistent with the need to accommodate variability and the other relevant constraints outlined above and each have an inwardly orientated elongated recess 61 that extends along their respective whole lengths which is internally configured to receive and retain the edge of the infilling portion 8. In some forms, each fixing recesses 61 is within an inwardly extending shoulder 64 about which the fins 13 of a second outer frame member 1 1 V extend with clearance.

In some forms referencing Figs 3, 6, 8 and 9 the first inner frame members 36 are configured to have minimum widths consistent with the need to accommodate variability and the other relevant constraints outlined above and each has an inwardly orientated elongated recess 62 that extends along their respective whole lengths internally configured to receive and retain the edge of the infilling portion 8 (not shown). In some forms, each fixing recesses 62 is within an inwardly extending shoulder 65 about which the fins13 of a second outer frame member 1 1V extend with clearance.

Fixing recesses 61 and 62 together provide a continuous peripheral recess.

In some forms, the first inner frame members 36, referencing Fig 3, 6 are structurally enhanced to have an increased moment of inertia, the affect of which being to render the first inner frame members 36 stiffer and the wing more resistant to deflection. In some forms this is characterized by an increased distance between the recess 61 , 62 and the channel 6. In the case of hinged doors and under certain kinds of attack this enhancement has the effect of reducing the door deflection from what it otherwise might be as discussed below.

In some forms the structural enhancement may include increased width of said upper and lower members relative to said side inner frame members.

In some forms, referencing Fig 6, 12 and 13 where the first inner frame members 36 extend between second out frame members 35 to be connected to them in rigid butt joints, the first inner frames 36 include spaced longitudinally elongated aperture 67 configured to receive fasteners 68 that extends through spaced aperture 69 in the shoulder 64 the second inner frame member 35 to extend into the aperture 67 to engage in threaded engagement to retain the second inner frame members 35 attached to the first inner frame member 36.

The infilling portion 8 (not shown) in some forms is connected to the inner frame by extending into the fixing recess 61 , 62 to be clamped there by resilient and/or adhesive means or by means described in the patents included by reference and/or by means well understood in the door manufacturing industry including by the means described in Australian patents: 201 1 101076, 2008 202835, 2007 903431 of applicant Secureview.

In some forms of wings, the outer frame is connected to the inner frame by operable orthogonal connectors that structurally connect the said frames while controlling the distances between them and in some circumstances, a force or torque applied to either the inner or outer frames give rise to reactionary forces in the other helping to resist deflection of the wing. In some forms of wings, the forces applied to either frame as a result of a force applied to the other frame are substantially conveyed by the operable orthogonal connectors which in some forms comprise substantially rigid members comprising not insubstantial members shown in the figures and that may comprise set screws.

In some forms, each operable orthogonal connector comprises an operable member including an elongated stud supported relative to the inner frame and a head captively located relative to the frame outer and able to rotate, said operable member operable to displace the outer frame towards and away from the inner frame.

Where outer frame members include a substantially rectangular longitudinally elongated hollow, the head located within the hollow is substantially cylindrical in form having a diameter substantially the same as the depth of the hollow in which it is located and a width substantially the same as the width of the hollow in which it is located.

Each operable orthogonal connector precludes relative angular displacement between its heads and the corresponding outer frame member it resides, between the stud and the supporting inner frame member and of course, between the stud and its associated head.

In some forms of wings, relative to at least one end of at least one outer frame member a respective operable orthogonal connector extends to connect the respective outer frame member to the inner frame.

In some forms of wings, referencing Fig 5, 12 & 13 and having a substantially rectangular inner frame, each corner of the wing includes:

a second operable orthogonal connector 71 H having a second operable member 73H that extends substantially longitudinally relative to the axis of the first inner frame member 36, including a second head 75H located within the hollow 19 of the adjacent second outer frame member 1 1V and configured to slide longitudinally along that hollow 19 and to rotate within the hollow but otherwise to be restrained against relative displacement. Turning the head 75H in one direction draws the head 75H inwardly to cause the adjacent outer frame member 1 1V to displace inwardly, while turning the head in the opposite direction causes the adjacent outer frame member 1 1V to displace outwardly; the second operable member 73H includes a second stud 74H that extends through a longitudinally elongated second slot 76H of the adjacent second outer frame member 1 1V. The second slot 76H commences substantially coaxially with the stud 74H when the wing is in the smallest configuration, referencing Fig 12,and being wide enough for free passage of the stud 74H while extending away from the corner for a longitudinal distance of DeltaV/2; the opposed second slot 77H being wide enough for an operating tool to pass through and into a drive recess 78H of the stud 74H, and a first operable orthogonal connector 71V having a first operable member 73V that extends substantially longitudinally relative to the axis of the first inner frame member 36, including a first head located within the hollow 19 of the adjacent first outer frame member 1 1 H and configured to slide longitudinally along that hollow 19 and to rotate within the hollow but otherwise to be restrained against relative displacement. Turning the head 75V in one direction draws the head 75V inwardly to cause the adjacent outer frame member 1 1 H to displace inwardly, while turning the head in the opposite direction causes the adjacent outer frame member 1 1 H to displace outwardly; first operable member 73V includes a first stud 74V that extends through a longitudinally elongated first slot 76V of the adjacent first outer frame member 1 1 H. The first slot 76V commences substantially coaxially with the stud 74V when the wing is in the smallest configuration, referencing Fig 12, and being wide enough for free passage of the stud 74V while extending away from the corner for a longitudinal distance of DeltaH/2; the opposed first slot 77V being wide enough for an operating tool to pass through and into a drive recess 78V of the stud 74V.

The first slot 76V and first stud 74V slide relatively in response to displacement of the second stud 74H and the second slot 76H and second stud 74H slide relatively in response to displacement of the first stud 74V. It will be obvious from the above, that the distance the first outer frame members 1 1 H can be displaced away from the inner frame member 36 is limited by the stud 74H within slot 76H to a distance equal to Delta V/2 and the distance the second outer frame member 1 1V can be displaced away from the inner frame is limited by the stud 74V within slot 76V to a distance equal to Delta H/2

In some forms, each first inner frame member 36, referencing Fig 3, 12 includes a longitudinally elongated aperture 79H configured to receive and engage threadedly with second elongated studs 74H while vertically elongated studs 74V engage in an orthogonal tapped aperture or recesses 79V, referencing Fig 7, that may be manufactured by conventional drilling and tapping.

In some forms, the stud is supported and able to rotate within the threaded recess supported relative to the inner frame wherein said stud and head are configured as separate members assembled together once the head has been assembled to the outer frame, and wherein said stud and head in usage displace as one. In some forms head 75 (during assembly) are restrained against rotation by means including a temporary fastener 91 as shown in Figs 12 and 13, where the temporary fastener 19 passes through an adjacent slotted aperture 77 to engage in an aperture in the head to restrain the head 75 against displacement while the stud 74 is being attached. In some forms the head comprises a substantially cylindrical body comprised of material able to be held deformed under the action of force (such as nylon) and having an axial aperture and the axial aperture is tapped undersized so head and stud are assemble by rotation under torque such that once assembled they rotate as one under normal operating conditions, in some cases the axial aperture is spline-like to facilitate the head and stud to be assembled by rotation under torque during which the stud forms a thread within the head such that once assembled they rotate as one under normal operating conditions. In some forms, each stud 74 comprises a grub screw having a drive recess 78 engageable by an Alan key.

In other forms, the stud is supported rigidly (and unable to rotate in usage) relative to the inner frame (by means that may include a tapped portion of the stud engaging in a tapped recess of the inner frame) and the head is supported and in threaded engagement with the stud and wherein in usage the head displaces along the stud.

The inclusion of operable orthogonal connectors as described above, provides structural enhancement rendering the whole wing more rigid by providing connection between the inner and outer frames. By way of example only, consider a common way of gaining forced entry through a closed substantially conventional security door supported by hinges attached to an adjacent door jamb/opening on one side and having a lock on the opposite, closing side of the door where the lock includes a bolt engaged in a strike plate attached to the door jamb; all of which is well known. Displacing the upper corner of the door on the lock side away from door jamb by applying an outwardly directed force to the outer frame would cause the heads of the adjacent horizontal and vertical operable orthogonal connectors to outwardly displace and in doing so apply outwardly directed forces to the associated studs to urge the inner frame members in which the studs are supported to outwardly displace.

If the lock bolt remains fixed within the strike plate, this displacement will be accompanied by ends of the outer frame members 1 1 H and 1 1V (adjacent the upper corner of the door on the lock side) rotating about both the hinged side of the door and the lock bolt, this latter rotation being accompanied and facilitated by deformation adjacent to the lock. The rotation of the upper portion of the vertical outer frame member about the lock bolt causes this vertical outer frame member to apply a torque to the closing end of the upper outer frame member (by dint of the corner connector) urging it to simultaneously rotate (about the lock bolt) and in so doing to twist within its length about a substantially longitudinal axis to develop a reactionary torque which acts to resist displacement of the door members.

This rotation of the closing end of the upper outer frame member simultaneously causes the head of the adjacent vertical operable orthogonal connector, the associated stud and the portion of the inner frame in which the stud is supported to simultaneously and similarly rotate to cause the upper horizontal inner frame member 36 to twist and develop a reactionary torque. In other words, The force applied to the outer frame gave rise to a reaction in the inner frame that helps to restrain the wing against deflection and the forces and/or torques applied to either frame as a result of forces and/or torques applied to the other frame are substantially conveyed by the operable orthogonal connectors.

Without the operable orthogonal connectors, forces and torques would be conveyed between frames but less immediately while in contrast each operable orthogonal connector conveys forces and torques between frames substantially immediately because each operable orthogonal connector precludes relative angular displacement between its heads and the corresponding outer frame member in which it resides, between the stud and the supporting inner frame member and of course, between the stud and its associated head.

STANDARD WING

Some forms of wings employing some of the integers (described above in detail) are denoted herein "standard wing" not because they are restricted to doors but because they are particularly relevant to doors. These standard wings including:

an infill including an inner frame supporting an infilling portion and an overlapping adaptable outer frame including outer frame members,

where the inner frame is substantially rectangular and includes spaced vertical inner frame members connected rigidly to spaced horizontal inner frame members and for each vertical inner frame member there being a vertical outer frame member and for each said horizontal inner frame member there being a horizontal outer frame member,

and each outer frame member includes a linear joint enabling the opposed ends of each respective outer frame member to be relatively rectilinearly displaced to change the length of each respective outer frame member and each horizontal outer frame member is connected to each vertical outer frame member by a respective adaptable joint,

and relative to each corner of the wing there is a vertical operable orthogonal connector having a vertical stud (supported within a tapped hole in the inner frame) that extends orthogonally to the axis of the horizontal inner frame member to support a head located in the adjacent horizontal outer frame member, and a horizontal operable orthogonal connector having a horizontal stud (supported within a tapped hole in the inner frame) that extends longitudinally relative to the axis of the horizontal inner frame member to support a head located in the adjacent vertical outer frame member

MULTIPLE SUB-INFILLS

Some wings are further configured such that the infill comprises multiple sub-infills 80, referencing Fig 14 to 16 which in some forms are substantially identical and may each be the mirror image of the other, these sub-infills including a central inner frame member 81 (of the first sub-infill) and a central inner frame member 82 (of a second sub-infill).

In a particular form, referencing Fig 15, the central inner frame member 81 and 82, have identical cross-sections that substantially take the form of the cross-section of the second inner frame members 35 where the sides 5 have been truncated, each including a projecting wing 83 that extends to occupy a longitudinally elongated recesses 84 in the other and each including a longitudinally elongated aperture 85 able to receive and mate each end with respective fasteners 68 to retain the end attached to the adjacent second inner frame members substantially as do fasteners 68. In some forms a fastener 103 is applied to intersect one inner frame member 81 , 82 to intersect the wing 83 of the other.

Some wings, referencing Fig 14 and having a height H and width V are configured for convenient packaging by including two sub-infills 80 and configuring the longer-outer-frame portion 86 to have a length L and the shorter-outer-frame portion 87 to have a length = (H-L) where L = sq root [(V² +(H/2)²] this configuration enabling the longer-outer-frame portion 86 to be packed diagonally into a carton substantially V x H/2. By way of example, consider a door having a height H=2000 MM and a width V=800 MM, each longer-outer-frame portion 86 would be configured to have a length L = [sq root (1000² + 800²)] ~ 1 .33 M and the shorter-outer-frame portion 87 would have a length (2000 - 3330) ~ 0.7 M; these outer frame members clearly fitting within a carton that will fit with a sedan vehicle.

LOCKS, HINGES & ROLLERS

In some forms the wing is configured as a door, referencing Fig 5, 1 , 4, 14, 15 and 16 where the vertical outer frame member 34 (corresponding to the closing edge of the door) is adapted to support a mortise lock 92 and in some forms includes an aperture 93 in the outer edge 22 to receive a lock body 95 and it is also adapted to include opposed apertures in the sides of the outer frame member to enable the communicating lock components being the cylinder, the drive rod 97 (not shown) and handle back plate fixing spigots 98 (not shown) to extend through the sides of the outer frame to mesh with the lock body - all of which is common and well understood in the trade. Apertures are covered by handle back plates 99 mounted on both sides of the door adjacent to the lock body and their footprint covers the apertures 99 - again, all of which is common and well understood in the trade.

In some forms, the communicating lock components similarly have passage through adjacent aperture/s 100 (not shown) in the inner frame but because the lock is fixed to the outer frame and this is displaceable relative to the inner frame the aperture/s 100 need to be large enough to allow the inner and outer frames to relatively displace (without the communicating lock components overlapping the walls of apertures of aperture/s 100). However, in some forms referencing Fig 14and 16, the aperture/s 100 (not shown) are replaced by an enlarged single recess 101 in the outer edge of the inner frame which is large enough to house the back plates 99 in all configurations of the door (i.e. over the entire range of relative displacement between the inner and outer frames) so that the communicating lock parts need only extend through the outer frame. In some such forms, the enlarged single recess 101 in the outer edge of the inner frame is large enough to house the back plate 99 in most configurations of the door.

In other forms, apertures 96 are made by machining after the wing has been adjusted to the desired shape - this can conveniently done by employing a drill template and a drill saw.

Where the wing configured as a hinged door, referencing Fig 14, the outer frame member opposed to the closing edge is adapted to support spaced hinges 102 that may comprise making spaced apertures to enable hinge the hinge fixing screws to be attached.

FASTENERS & OPERABLE ORTHOGONAL CONNECTOR

The wing is further strengthened by:

a) the application of fasteners (once the wing has been adjusted) to locations 1) above and below the lock and opposite the lock, and 2) adjacent to the corners; these to extend inwardly to intersect the inner and outer frames, and 3) adjacently to the connecting member in each linear joint to intersect the inner and outer frames and the connecting member, and

b) the inclusion of an additional operable orthogonal connectors adjacent the lock having a head of reduced width configured to abut the inside of outer frame wall 22 when the door is in its smallest configuration, this head being wound out to again abut the inside of outer frame wall 22 when the door has been adjusted so that any load applied to the vertical outer frame member adjacent the lock to urge it away from the strike plate will need to cause the inner frame to deflect as well as the outer frame member. PARTICULAR EMBODIMENT

By way of example only, consider a standard wing configured as a door where the infilling portion comprises inextensible material comprising woven steel mesh and

where the inner frame members are characterized by having an increased width and where the horizontal inner frame members extend between the spaced vertical inner frame members to connect to them in rigid butt joints, and where the height Ή" is required to be variable between 2000 and 2050 (where Delta H = 50, DeltaH/2 =25), and the width "V" variable between 510 and 840 (where Delta V = 50, DeltaV/2 =25) - this configuration clearly embracing the range of common sizes for Australian screen doors where the width is generally between 806 and 818 MM and the height is generally between 2024 and 2042.

The variability requirements and the competing design considerations described early in the patent, place restrictions on the forms the inner and outer frames may take (defined in-part) by their respective cross-sections referencing Fig 2, 3 and 9 these described by dimensions. By pursuing an iterative design process, the following dimensions were arrived at which satisfy the dimensional constraints and requirements:

w1 being substantially 60 MM,

d7 being substantially 19 MM,

d6 being substantially 20,

d2 being substantially 58 MM,

d3 being substantially 61 MM,

d4 being substantially 20 MM,

d5 being substantially 22 MM

d1 being substantially 12 MM

By pursuing an iterative design process, the following dimension was arrived at which satisfies the structural constraints and requirements:

d9 + d8 (spacings between screw holes) is substantially 47 MM, and

most walls are configured to have thicknesses between 1 .3 and 1.5 MM.

If such a wing were skewed so that outer frame side member 33 became 30 MM lower (than it would be if the wing remained rectangular), then the relative angle between ends of outer frame members 31 and 33 would increase by an angle of approximately [30/800] x 180/3.14 degrees being approximately (~) 2 degrees; this displacement causing to the inner edge 21 of the end of the horizontal outer frame members 31 to displace away from the vertical outer frame member to form a gap which at its widest is approximately 0.036 x 60 ~ 2MM and as stated above, noting only that portion of gap not within the channel 15 is visible.

ASSEMBLY

The inventions within further provides a means of assembling the wing and a means of adjusting the wing to suit a particular opening and this will be described in the context of the standard wing described immediately above, in which case the method includes:

1 ' If the wing is supplied with two sub-infills (each with a horizontal outer frame members attached) the sub-infills would be pushed together to form a single infill and the fasteners 103 applied

2' Vertical outer frame members 1 1V would be assembled from the two portions provided.

'3 The hinge supporting vertical outer frame member would be placed adjacent the peripheral channel of the vertical inner frame enabling the studs to project into the aperture of the heads (located in the vertical outer frame member) to be pushed on as far as possible.

4' While pushing inwardly on the vertical outer frame members, each stud would be rotated in reverse so it outwardly displaced into the aperture of the head till the stud is level with the outer end of the head.

6' Repeat 3' and 4' for vertical outer frame member including the lock.

7' Insert the small screws 53 in the outer edge walls of the horizontal outer frame members.

8' Remove fasteners 91

9' Adjust the operable orthogonal connectors to suit a particular opening by rotating the opposite operable members (and preferably equally). For example, lengthen the closing edge outer frame member by turning the operable members located in the upper horizontal outer frame member 31 and similarly turning the opposed operable member in the lower horizontal outer frame member 32.

By similar means, adjust all outer frame members.

1 1 ' If the lock apertures have not been cut, attach the drill template to the lock region and apply the drill saw to cut the apertures in the sides of the wing 12' Insert the lock body and assemble the communicating parts and handle sets.

Claims

Claims:

1 . A frame assembly comprising an inner frame and an outer frame wherein said inner frame is formed of four or more inner frame members including two vertically orientated side members and two horizontally orientated upper and lower members joined together to form a substantially rigid structure and wherein said outer frame is formed of outer frame members adjustably connected to said inner frame by operable orthogonal connectors.

2. A frame assembly according to Claim 1 , wherein said orthogonal connectors are adapted to reduce relative rotation between the said inner frame members and the said outer frame members.

3. A frame assembly according to Claim 1 or 2, wherein a force applied to either said inner or outer frame gives rise to a reaction in the other frame which restrains said assembly against deflection.

4. A frame assembly according to any one of Claims 1 to 3, wherein the forces and/or torques applied to either said inner or outer frames as a result of force and/or torques applied to the other frame are substantially conveyed by said operable orthogonal connectors.

5. A frame assembly according to any one of Claims 1 to 4, wherein said horizontally orientated upper and lower inner frame members are structurally enhanced to provide an increased moment of inertia to said inner frame.

6. A frame assembly according to Claim 5, wherein said structural enhancement includes increased width of said upper and lower inner frame members relative to said side inner frame members.

7. A frame assembly according to any one of Claims 1 to 6, wherein said orthogonal connectors are captively fitted to said outer frame members and adjustably fitted to said inner frame members to control the distance and orientation between said rigid inner frame and said outer frame.

8. A frame assembly according to Claim 7, wherein each respective operable orthogonal connector comprises an operable member supported relative to the inner frame and engaged relative to the respective outer frame member, said operable member displaces the respective outer frame member towards and away from the inner frame.

9. A frame assembly according to Claim 8, wherein the operable member comprises a head captively engaged with the respective outer frame member and an elongated stud supported relative to the inner frame.

10. A frame assembly according to Claim 9, wherein the head occupies a substantially rectangular hollow portion of the respective outer frame member and is substantially cylindrical in form having a diameter and width substantially the same as the depth and width of the hollow portion respectively, the stud comprising an elongated threaded stud supported relative to the inner frame.

1 1 . A frame assembly according to Claim 9 or 10, wherein the stud comprises an elongated threaded stud supported and able to rotate in a threaded recess supported relative to the inner frame and wherein said stud and head in usage displace as one.

12. A frame assembly according to any one of Claims 1 to 11 , wherein said inner frame is substantially rectangular and includes inner frame members each including an outwardly orientated peripheral channel occupied by outer frame members,

said inner frame including vertical inner frame members connected rigidly to horizontal inner frame members.

13. A frame assembly according to any one of Claims 1 to 12, wherein at least one end of each outer frame member, has an operable orthogonal connector to connect said outer frame member to an inner frame member.

14. A frame assembly according to Claim 12 or 13, wherein the horizontal inner frame members extend between the vertical inner frame members to connect thereto in rigid butt joints.

15. A frame assembly according to any one of Claims 12 to 14, wherein each corner of said frame assembly has a first operable orthogonal connector having an operable member including a first stud that extends orthogonally to the axis of the horizontal inner frame member and a second operable orthogonal connector having an operable member including a second stud that extends relative to the axis of the horizontal inner frame member, wherein the first stud extends through an elongate first slot of the adjacent outer frame member and the second stud extends through an elongate second slot of the adjacent outer frame member, wherein the first slot and first stud displace relatively in response to angular displacement of the operable member of the first connector, and wherein the second slot and second stud displace relatively in response to displacement of the operable member of the second connector.

16. A frame assembly according to any one Claims 1 to 15, wherein each end of each outer frame member is connected to another outer frame member by a respective adjustable corner joint.

17. A frame assembly according to Claim 16, wherein said corner is formed at an angle of 90°.

18. A frame assembly according to Claim 17, wherein each corner joint retains the relative end position of the outer frame members while allowing limited relative angular displacement of said corner joint.

19. A frame assembly according to any one of Claims 13 to 18 wherein the outer frame members connect together in adjustable butt joints.

20. A frame assembly according to any one of Claims 13 to 19, wherein each outer frame member remains in contact via the respective inner and outer edges thereof.

21 . A frame assembly according to any one of Claims 1 to 20, wherein each outer frame member includes longitudinally elongated hollow end portions and wherein each adjustable corner joint includes a corner connector having orthogonally spaced protrusions adapted to co-operate with the respective hollow end portions of each outer frame member to form said joint.

22. A frame assembly according to Claim 21 , wherein said corner connector includes a first and a second protrusion and wherein said first protrusion is configured to allow restricted angular displacement of said outer frame members within the plane of said assembly and said second protrusion is configured to prevent angular displacement of said outer frame members beyond the plane of said assembly.

23. A frame assembly according to any one of Claims 1 to 22, wherein each outer frame member includes a linear joint enabling the opposed ends of said outer frame member to be linearly displaced to change the length of said outer frame member.

24. A frame assembly according to any one of Claims 1 to 23, wherein the inner frame includes an infilling portion supported relative to a peripherally elongated recess of said inner frame.

25. A frame assembly according to Claim 24, wherein the infilling portion includes inextensible material comprising woven steel mesh and/or perforated metal sheet.

26. A frame assembly according to Claim 25, wherein the infilling portion includes glass and/or any other substantially planar rigid material.

27. A frame assembly according to Claim 25 or Claim 26, wherein the captive infilling portion is substantially enveloped by resilient and/or clamping means.

28. A frame assembly according to Claim 27, wherein the resilient and/or clamping means insulates said infilling portion from the inner frame.

29. A frame assembly according to any one of Claims 1 to 28, configured as a door.

30. A frame assembly according to Claim 29, taking the form of a door including a lock and hinges.

31 . A frame assembly including an inner frame including inner frame members and an overlapping adaptable outer frame including outer frame members,

said inner and outer frames connected by operable orthogonal connectors that control the distance between them,

said frame assembly rendered more resistant to deflection by at least inner frame member having an increased axial moment of inertia and by structural coupling between the said frames provided by the said operable orthogonal connectors which act to restrain relative angular displacement between inner and outer frame members.