Apparatus for forming a frame within a building aperture

Abstract

An apparatus or jig 10 for forming a frame within a building aperture comprises four elongate members 12, 14, 16, 18 connected together to form a rectangular frame 20. The jig defines the dimensions of an opening in which a door or window is to be positioned. A channel extends along the length of each elongate member and a detachable rigid bracing member 22 is positioned at each of the four internal corners 24 of the frame. Each bracing member may be detachably secured to one or more of the channels and may be formed as a right-angled triangular structure. The bracing members may include first and second securing elements located in the channels of the elongate members. The securing elements may be located on adjoining orthogonal sides of the triangular structure. Each elongate member may be formed with an H-shaped cross-section. A spirit level 62 may be detachably securable to the channel.

Description

The invention relates to apparatus for forming a frame within a building aperture and so defining the dimensions of an opening in which a door or window is to be positioned. Background to the Invention When constructing openings for doors within buildings, an initial rough aperture larger than the intended door is formed within a wall. The door aperture is irregular and not a perfect rectangle due to variations in floor level, ceiling height and variations in measurement tolerance. A door lining jig is used within the aperture to create a lining or frame that exactly matches the dimensions of a selected door. Any gaps between the lining and aperture are filled and then the jig removed, leaving an aperture ready to receive a pre-fabricated door frame. As the door lining jig needs to extend over a considerable vertical extent representing the height of the door, the door jig can twist and bow, making it hard to create an accurate aperture for the door. Further door jigs are often bulky pieces of equipment that are not readily portable. One such door jig is disclosed in US3065550. Summary of the Invention In accordance with the present invention, there is provided apparatus for forming a frame within a building aperture, such as a door or window aperture, the apparatus comprising four elongate members connected together to form a rectangular frame and with a channel extending along the length of each elongate member, wherein a detachable rigid bracing member is positioned at each of the four internal corners of the rectangular frame so as to define a fixed angle between adjoining elongate members. This prevents vertical and horizontal distortion of the frame shape as the frame is constructed. Preferably each bracing member is detachably secured to one or more of the channels so as to enable easy disassembly of the frame. Each bracing member may be formed as a right-angled triangular structure so as to define a fixed angle of 90°. Desirably each bracing member is detachably secured to a first channel of a first elongate member and to a second channel of a second elongate member. Each bracing member may comprise first and second spaced apart securing elements respectively locatable into a first channel of a first elongate member and a second channel of a second elongate member. Thus where the bracing member is formed as a right angled triangular structure, desirably the first and second securing elements are respectively located on adjoining orthogonal sides, i.e. horizontal and vertical sides, of the right-angled triangular structure. Each elongate member may be formed with an H-shaped cross-section so as to provide a channel along opposing sides of each elongate member. This assists with construction of the frame as then either side of an elongate member can be secured to any other elongate member. The apparatus may further comprise a spirit level detachably securable to the channel. The invention will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 shows a front view of apparatus for forming a frame within a door or window aperture; Figure 2 shows a front view of the apparatus when in an extended position; Figure 3 shows a side view of the apparatus; Figure 4 shows a side view of a locking element used to secure parts of the frame; Figure 5 shows a perspective view of a bracing member forming part of the apparatus; Figure 6 shows a cross-sectional view of the bracing member; and Figure 7 shows a perspective view of a spirit level for use with the apparatus. Description of the Invention Figure 1 shows apparatus 10 for forming a frame within a door or window aperture and comprises elongate members 12, 14, 16 and 18 joined together to form a rectangular frame 20. Detachable bracing members 22 are secured at each internal comer 24 of frame 20 to ensure each internal corner is set at a fixing angle of 90°. This prevents vertical and horizontal distortion of the frame shape as the frame is constructed. If desired, opposing elongate members can be configured to be telescopically extendible. In Figure 1 upright elongate members 12, 14 are fixed in length and horizontal members 16, 18 are formed of two parts 24, 26 that nest and slide relative to one another so as to be telescopically extendable as shown in Figure 2. The telescopically extendible members 16, 18 can be fixed at a desired length by locking element 30. If desired upright elongate members 12, 14 can also be telescopically extendible. For a door frame, elongate members 12, 14 are typically set such that the vertical height of the assembled frame is 1.95 m with the minimum width of the frame set at 0.68 m, typically extendible to 0.95 m. Alternative frame dimensions can be selected depending on the intended use for either door or window apertures and the sizes of those particular apertures. Each elongate member is formed with a channel 32 along its length as shown in Figure 3 such that when assembled into rectangular frame 20, rigid bracing members 22 can be secured into channels 32 of adjoining elongate members so as to define the fixing angle. For Figure 3, each bracing member is a symmetrical triangular frame so as to define a fixing angle of 90° but the bracing members 22 may be formed to provide other fixing angles, such as 45°. Typically each elongate member is formed with an H-shaped cross-section so as to provide an identical channel along opposing sides. This ensures it is easier for users to put together frame 20 as they do not have to consider which side channel 32 is on when assembling the four elongate members 12, 14, 16, 18 together. Each elongate member is provided with a dovetail shaped protrusion 34 at each end, see Figures 3 and 4, which inserts into locking element 36 and thus allows each elongate member to be connected to an adjacent elongate member. Bracing member 22 as shown in more detail in Figures 5 and 6 is formed as a substantially right-angled triangular structure 50 with sides 54, 56 being substantially orthogonal to one another. A securing element 52 or thumbscrew is located on each of adjoining sides 54, 56 and comprises a flange 60 turnable by 90° so as to engage with and lock into channel 32. This provides a simple locking mechanism which can readily be undone to remove bracing members 22 when frame 20 is ready for disassembly. Figure 1 also shows detachable spirit levels 62 as shown in more detail in Figure 7. Spirit level 62 is provided with a plurality of securing elements 52 turnable to lock in channel 32 to ensure a user can add the functionality of a spirit level when needed. Spirit level 62 can also be used to secure elongate members together, typically two securing elements 52 secured to one elongate member and two securing elements 52 secured to a second elongate member. A further mini spirit level 70 is also provided having a spring loaded tooth 72 activated by push button 74 so as to engage in channels 32.

Claims

1. Apparatus for forming a frame within a building aperture, the apparatus comprising four elongate members connected together to form a rectangular frame and with a channel extending along the length of each elongate member, wherein a detachable rigid bracing member is positioned at each of the four internal corners of the rectangular frame so as to define a fixed angle between adjoining elongate members.

2. Apparatus according to Claim 1, wherein each bracing member is detachably secured to one or more of the channels.

3. Apparatus according to Claim 1 or Claim 2, wherein each bracing member is formed as a right-angled triangular structure so as to define a fixed angle of 90°.

4. Apparatus according to Claim 2 or Claim 3, wherein each bracing member is detachably secured to a first channel of a first elongate member and to a second channel of a second elongate member.

5. Apparatus according to Claim 4, wherein each bracing member has first and second spaced apart securing elements respectively locatable into a first channel of a first elongate member and a second channel of a second elongate member.

6. Apparatus according to any of Claims 3 to 5, wherein the first and second securing elements are respectively located on adjoining orthogonal sides of the right-angled triangular structure.

7. Apparatus according to any of the preceding claims, wherein each elongate member is formed with an H-shaped cross-section so as to provide a channel along opposing sides of each elongate member.

8. Apparatus according to any of the preceding claims, further comprising a spirit level detachably securable to the channel.

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