GB2302359A

GB2302359A - Frame assembly

Info

Publication number: GB2302359A
Application number: GB9512280A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Ting-Wang Wu
Original assignee: SHANG TIEN ALUMINUM CORP
Current assignee: SHANG TIEN ALUMINUM CORP
Priority date: 1995-06-16
Filing date: 1995-06-16
Publication date: 1997-01-15
Anticipated expiration: 2015-06-16
Also published as: GB2302359B; GB9512280D0

Abstract

A frame element comprises a hollow, open ended, elongate member 20, 40 with two channels 201, 401 of T-shaped cross-section formed on at least one surface of the element and extending in an axial direction thereof. A pair of apertures 202 which are coaxial with each other are formed in opposite walls of the element close to each end thereof. A connecting block 30 comprises a base portion having flange means 31 engageable in the channels of the frame element to attach the connecting block to the frame element. The connection block also comprises a head portion 32 with a threaded bore extending therethrough. This head portion is insertable into an open end of a like frame element so that the threaded bore is alignable with a pair of apertures in the like element. Accordingly, the two elements can be connected together substantially at 90{ to one another by screws 10.

Description

FRAMB A88EMBLY FOR A DOOR, WINDOW OR PARTITION The present invention relates to a frame element and a connecting block for constructing a frame of a door, window or partition wall. More particularly, it relates to an assembled door frame structure of a checker-like swinging door, which is composed of several beams and columns easily connected with each other by connecting blocks and acrews. Multiple pieces of glass are inserted between the beams and columns to form a checker-like door.

A conventional swing door has a door frame structure which protects and supports the door. Such door frame structure includes complicated components which cannot be easily manufactured and assembled.

Therefore, it is necessary to provide an assembled door frame structure composed of simple components which can be easily manufactured and assembled, while effectively protecting and supporting the door.

It is therefore a primary object of the present invention to provide an assembled door frame structure of a checker-like swinging door, which includes rectangular hollow transverse beams, vertical columns and connecting blocks formed with compatible assembling channels and can be easily and reliably assembled to form the door frame structure.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide the above door frame structure in which the position of the respective beams and columns is adjustable so that the door frame structure can be easily and precisely assembled.

According to the above objects, the assembled door frame structure of the present invention includes an upper and a lower rectangular hollow transverse beam, a vertical column, an engaging column, a middle column, multiple glass beams and multiple connecting blocks. On each of upper and lower faces of each the transverse beam are formed two pairs of parallel L-shaped projecting ribs defining two Tshaped assembling channels. Two through holes are formed at two ends of the transverse beam. On one side of the vertical column are formed T-shaped assembling channels, while on other side of the vertical column is formed an arch surface. The engaging column has assembling channels on a connecting side and a side channel on other side for engaging with a door column by means of hinges.The mountain-like connecting block has two pairs of parallel opposite projecting L-shaped ribs on bottom face for inserting into the assembling channels of the respective beams and columns and a central hollow convex portion having a tip formed with a C-shaped thread hole on inner side. The connecting block further has two lateral boards slightly inward biased, whereby the connecting block can be smoothly fitted into the respective beams and columns with the thread holes aligned with the through holes thereof and a screw passed through the through holes to be tightened in the thread hole so as to tightly engage the beams and columns.

The present invention can be best understood through the following description and accompanying drawings, wherein: Fig. 1 is a perspective exploded view of the present invention; Fig. 2 is a plane assembled view of the present invention; Fig. 3 is a sectional view taken along line a-a of Fig. 2, showing that the transverse beam is loosely connected with the column by means of the connecting block; Fig. 3A is a sectional view according to Fig. 3, showing that the transverse beam is tightly connected with the column; Fig. 4 is a sectional view taken along line b-b of FIg. 2; Fig. 5 is a sectional view taken along line c-c of Fig. 2; Fig. 6 shows that the position of the middle column is adjustable along the transverse beams; Fig. 7 is a sectional view taken along line d-d of Fig. 2; Fig. 8 shows another embodiment of the connecting block of the present invention;; Fig. 9 shows another embodiment of the pressing strip of the present invention; Fig. 10 shows another embodiment of the vertical column, wherein the assembling channels are formed on two adjacent sides of the column; Fig. 11 shows that two transverse beams are connected with the column of Fig. 10 to contain two right angles; Fig. 12 shows another embodiment of the vertical column, wherein the assembling channels are formed on three adjacent sides of the column; Fig. 13 shows that three transverse beams are connected with the column of Fig. 12 to contain three right angles; Fig. 14 shows another embodiment of the vertical column, wherein the assembling channels are formed on four adjacent sides of the column; and Fig. 15 shows that four transverse beams are connected with the column of Fig. 14 to contain four right angles.

Please refer to Fig. 1. The present invention includes a rectangular hollow transverse beam 20. On each of upper and lower faces of the beam 20 are formed two pairs of parallel L-shaped projecting ribs defining two T-shaped assembling channels 201. Two through holes 202 are formed at two ends of the beam 20 between the assembling channels 201. The present invention further includes a vertical column 21 and an engaging column 22. On one side of the vertical column 21 are formed T-shaped assembling channels 211 as the above assembling channels 201, while on the other side of the vertical column 21 is formed an arch surface. A longitudinal brush groove 212 is formed on one side of the arch surface. The engaging column 22 has Tshaped channels 221 on a connecting side and a side channel 222 for engaging with a door column by means of hinges.The present invention further includes a middle column 40 formed with T-shaped assembling channels 401 on both sides.

Two through holes 402 are formed on two ends of the middle column between the assembling channels 401 as those of the transverse beam 20 but with slightly smaller dimension.

Shorter and smaller glass beams 60 are disposed between the middle column 40 and the vertical column 21 as well as the engaging column 22. The glass beam is structurally identical to the transverse beam 20.

The present invention further includes multiple mountain-like connecting blocks 30. Each connecting block 30 has two pairs of parallel opposite projecting L-shaped ribs 31 on bottom face for inserting into the assembling channels 21, 211, 221 of the upper and lower transverse beams 20 and the vertical columns 21, 22. The connecting block 30 has a central hollow convex portion 32 having a tip formed with a C-shaped thread hole 33 on inner side.

The connecting block 30 further has two lateral boards 34 slightly inward biased, whereby the connecting block 30 can be smoothly fitted into the other middle columns 40 and upper and lower transverse beams 20 and glass beams 60 with the thread holes 33 substantially aligned with and slightly above the through holes 401, 201, 601 thereof, whereby a sharp head screw 10 can be passed through the through holes 401, 201 and 601 to be tightened in the thread hole 33 so as to tightly connect the respective beams and columns into an assembly as shown in Fig. 2.

Referring to Fig. 3, the L-shaped ribs 31 on the bottom of the connecting block 30 are fitted in the assembling channel 211 of the hollow column 21 and abut against the bottom wall of the assembling channel 211. A clearance A still exists between the upper wall of the assembling channel 211 and the L-shaped rib 31. However, the center of the through hole 202 is located at a position slightly higher than that of the C-shaped thread hole 33 by distance B which is substantially equal to clearance A.

When tightening the sharp head screw 10, the C-shaped thread hole 33 is moved left along with the connecting block 30 to be precisely aligned with the center of the through hole 202. At this time, the L-shaped ribs 31 of the connecting block 30 are moved left to abut against the upper wall of the assembling channel 211 of the column 21 and force the same to move toward the transverse beam 20 and tightly engage therewith without clearance and swinging.

Referring to Fig. 4, as to the lower transverse beam 20 and the vertical column 21, when the sharp head screw 10 is passed through the through hole 202 and the thread hole 33, the L-shaped ribs 31 is pulled toward and abut against the upper wall of the assembling channel 211. Because the lower transverse beam will bear the weight of the upward beams and columns and pieces of glass, after tightened and locked, two thread holes are formed on the bottom wall of the connecting block 30 between the L-shaped ribs 32 for flat head screws 80 to screw therethrough and abut against the bottom wall of the assembling channel 211 so as to enhance the transverse strength of the lower beam 20.

Please refer to Fig. 5. The connecting block 30 is fitted into the middle column 40 above the lower transverse beam 20. A sharp head screw 10 is passed through the through hole 402 and C-shaped thread hole 33 to make the Lshaped ribs 31 move upward and abut against the upper wall of the assembling channel 201 so as to tightly connect the lower transverse beam 20 with the middle column 40.

Referring to Fig. 6, when it is necessary to adjust the position of the middle column 40, the screw 10 is loosened to release the middle column 40 from the tightening force of the connecting block, so that the middle column 40 can be moved left or right along the transverse beams 20.

Referring to Fig. 7, after the glass beam 60 is associated with the vertical column 21 and middle column 40, a piece of glass 50 is first placed between the assembling channels 601 of the glass beam 60 with a glass pad located under the glass 50. Then two pressing strips 70 are inserted into the assembling channels 601 with arch top ends thereof abutting against the glass 50 so as to firmly locate the same.

Fig. 8 shows another embodiment of the connecting block, wherein the connecting block still has L-shaped ribs 31 on a bottom thereof, while including a trapezoid lateral side 34 and top portion 32. On inner face of the top portion 32 are formed two C-shaped thread holes 33 and the transverse beam 20, middle column 40 and glass beam 60 are respectively formed with two through holes, whereby two sharp head screws 10 are passed therethrough to lock the connecting block with the beams and columns.

Fig. 9 shows another embodiment of the pressing strip which can be inserted into the assembling channels 601 of the glass beam 60 in a similar manner as that of the preceding embodiment.

The present invention can be alternatively used for partitioning. Fig. 10 shows another embodiment of the vertical column for right angle connection, wherein the assembling channels 201 are formed on two adjacent sides of the column, which contain a right angle. Moreover, no through hole is formed at the ends of the column, whereby two connecting blocks 30 can be used to connect two transverse beams 20 with the column as shown in Fig. 11.

Fig. 12 shows another embodiment of the vertical column, wherein the assembling channels 201 are formed on three adjacent sides which contain two right angles, whereby three transverse beams 20 can be connected with the column by means of three connecting blocks 30 as shown in Fig. 13.

Fig. 14 shows another embodiment of the vertical column, wherein the assembling channels 201 are formed on four adjacent sides which contain fourth right angles, whereby four transverse beams 20 can be connected with the column by means of four connecting blocks 30 as shown in Fig. 15.

In conclusion, the transverse beams, middle column, vertical column, engaging column and glass beam as well as connecting block of the present invention are applicable to all kinds of aluminum doors and the assembling operation thereof is simple. In addition, the position of the beams and columns is adjustable to eliminate any error. Also, the beams and columns can be easily tightly connected to achieve a concrete door frame assembly.

The above embodiment is only an example of the present invention and the scope of the present invention should not be limited to the example. Any modification or variation derived from the example should fall within the scope of the present invention.

Claims

CLAfMS:

1. A frame element and a connecting block for constructing a frame of a door, window or partition, wherein the frame element comprises a hollow, open ended, elongate member with two channels of T-shaped cross-section formed on at least one surface of the frame element and extending in an axial direction thereof, and a pair of apertures coaxial with each other formed in opposite walls of the frame element close to each end thereof; and wherein the connecting block comprises a base portion having flange means engageable in the channels of the frame element to attach the connecting block to the frame element, and a head portion with a threaded bore extending therethrough, the head portion being insertable into an open end of a like frame element so that the threaded bore is alignable with a pair of apertures in the like element.

2. A frame element and a connecting block as claimed in claim 1, wherein each channel is formed by a pair of flanges, of L-shaped cross-section, projecting from a surface of the frame element and arranged to face one another to define a channel of T-shaped cross-section therebetween.

3. A frame element and a connecting block as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2, further comprising a third channel, of U-shaped cross-section, between the two T-shaped channels for receiving the edge of a pane of glass.

4. A frame element and a connecting block as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the flange means of the connecting block comprises two pairs of flanges, of L-shaped cross-section, each pair being arranged back to back.

5. A door assembly comprising a plurality of frame elements and connecting blocks as claimed in any preceding claim.

6. A window assembly comprising a plurality of frame elements and connecting blocks as claimed any preceding claim.

7. A partition assembly comprising a plurality of frame elements and connecting blocks as claimed in any preceding claim.

8. An assembled door frame structure of a swinging door, which comprises: an upper and a lower rectangular hollow transverse beam, on each of upper and lower faces of each the transverse beam being formed two pairs of parallel L-shaped projecting ribs defining two Tshaped assembling channels, two through holes being formed at two ends of the transverse beam between the assembling channels; a vertical column and an engaging column, on one side of the vertical column being formed T-shaped assembling channels, while on other side of the vertical column being formed an arch surface, a longitudinal brush groove being formed on one side of the arch surface, the engaging column having T-shaped channels on a connecting side and a side channel on other side for engaging with a door column by means of hinges;; a middle column formed with T-shaped assembling channels on both sides, the middle column being structurally identical to the transverse beam but with slightly smaller dimension, shorter and smaller glass beams being disposed between the middle column and the vertical column as well as the engaging column, the glass beam being structurally identical to the transverse beam; and multiple mountain-like connecting blocks, each connecting block having two pairs of parallel opposite projecting L-shaped ribs on bottom face for inserting into the assembling channels of the upper and lower transverse beams and the vertical column and engaging column, the connecting block having a central hollow convex portion having a tip formed with a C-shaped thread hole on inner side, the connecting block further having two lateral boards slightly inward biased, whereby the connecting block can be smoothly fitted into the middle columns and upper and lower transverse beams and glass beams with the thread holes substantially aligned with and slightly above the through holes thereof, whereby a screw can be passed through the through holes to be tightened in the thread hole so as to precisely align the C-shaped thread hole with the centre of the through hole and pull the L-shaped ribs of the connecting block to abut against upper wall of the assembling channel of the column and force the same to move toward the transverse beam and tightly engage therewith, the glass beam being associated with the vertical column and middle column in the same manner, whereby a piece of glass is placed between the assembling channels of the glass beam with a glass pad located under the glass, and two pressing strips are inserted into the assembling channels with arch top ends thereof abutting against the glass so as to firmly locate the same.

9. A door frame structure as claimed in claim 8, wherein the connecting block has L-shaped ribs on a bottom thereof, while including a trapezoid lateral side and top portion, on inner face of the top portion being formed two C-shaped thread holes.

10. A door frame structure as claimed in claim 8, wherein the assembling channels are formed on two adjacent sides of the vertical column, which contain a right angle, whereby two transverse beams can be connected with the vertical column to contain a right angle.

11. A door frame structure as claimed in claim 8, wherein the assembling channels are formed on three adjacent sides of the vertical column, whereby three transverse beams can be connected with the vertical column to contain two right angles.

12. A door frame structure as claimed in claim 8, wherein the assembling channels are formed on four adjacent sides of the vertical column, whereby four transverse beams can be connected with the vertical column to contain four right angles.

13. A frame element and a connecting block substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.