Reinforcement assembly

Abstract

A reinforcement assembly provides structural support to a door opening in a stud wall. The reinforcement assembly includes a frame assembly (102, fig 5) comprising frame pieces 600. Filler pieces (410, fig 4) are provided for being positioned in cavities of the stud wall at a set of door opening boundary faces. Each of the of frame pieces is elongate along a respective longitudinal axis, and incudes a boundary facing side 604 and a wall facing side 602 orthogonal to the boundary facing side. The frame pieces also include a securing fold 606 at a first end, configured to face in a direction orthogonal to the boundary facing side and the wall facing side.

Description

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a reinforcement assembly for providing structural support to a door opening in a stud wall. The present disclosure also relates to a method for providing structural support to a door opening in a stud wall. Background

[0002] Certain walls of a building structure may be stud walls. For example, a stud wall has a plurality of studs in the form of solid vertical columns comprising wood or metal. Either side of the studs may be wall panels which define the faces of said wall. In some examples, during the process of constructing the wall and / or the building structure, it may become necessary and / or desired to create a door opening in the stud wall. For example, it may be decided after construction of the stud wall, or pre-constuction, that a door is to be installed in the stud wall, or the positioning of a door may be retrospectively changed, for example.

[0003] If the door opening is to be created after construction of the stud wall has already been done, there is a problem in that it may not be possible or desired to create the door opening at a position relative to the studs such that the boundaries of the door opening are immediately adjacent the studs. Alternatively, or in addition, it may not be possible or desired to create the door opening to be of a size such that the boundaries of the door opening are immediately adjacent to the studs. For example, the size may depend upon the particular door to be installed, the size of which may not correspond to the stud spacing in a way so as to provide studs immediately adjacent to the boundaries of the door opening. The issue with such less optimally aligned and sized door openings is that the studs cannot directly provide support (e.g., via a support frame fixed directly to the studs) to the door opening.

[0004] Even if no issue arises in respect of the positioning and / or the size of the door opening, it may be necessary to deconstruct all or part of the stud wall in order to install the door opening, for example, to find the studs and to fix certain components directly to the studs, or to add new studs.

[0005] Those skilled in the art will also appreciate that structures made as part of a building structure should meet certain standards, for example, fire safety standards, and robustness, among others. Accordingly, it would be more desirable that certain structural and safety standards (in some cases, necessary rather than merely desired, depending upon the local building regulations) continue to be met after alterations, such as a through hole, are made to the structure in question.

[0006] The present disclosure seeks to provide solutions to at least some of these problems, among other advantages, as will become apparent from the following description. Summary

[0007] According to a first aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a reinforcement assembly for providing structural support to a door opening in a stud wall, the reinforcement assembly comprising: a plurality of frame pieces; a plurality of filler pieces for being positioned in cavities of the stud wall at a set of door opening boundary faces of the door opening, the set of door opening boundary faces being at a non-zero angle relative to a first side of the stud wall and a second side of the stud wall, wherein each of the plurality of frame pieces: is elongate along a respective longitudinal axis; comprises a boundary facing side and a wall facing side orthogonal to, or close to orthogonal to, the boundary facing side; and comprises a securing fold at a first end thereof, configured to face in a direction orthogonal to, or close to orthogonal to, the boundary facing side and the wall facing side.

[0008] Advantageously, there is provided a reinforcement assembly which can be deployed to structurally support a door opening, even if said through hole does not have its vertical side directly next to the wall studs. For example, the reinforcement assembly is configured for door openings which comprise three boundary faces formed in the stud wall, and a boundary face which is part of the floor of the building structure in question. The four elongate frame pieces, when installed, advantageously provide structural support to the vertically oriented boundaries of the door opening directly.

[0009] For example, the filler pieces provide structure (where there would otherwise be cavities) to which other components (such as the frame pieces) of the reinforcement 2 assembly can be fixed. Accordingly, the reinforcement assembly can be securely fixed even if there are no studs at the vertically oriented boundaries of the door opening.

[0010] Optionally, the securing fold of each of the frame pieces comprises a through hole for receiving a fixing.

[0011] Advantageously, the securing fold can be used to secure the respective frame piece to a surface which is generally orthogonal to the boundary facing side and the wall facing side, thus providing more secure fixation of the frame piece. For example, the securing fold may be fixed to the floor or to the boundary face of the door opening which faces the floor, depending on the orientation of the respective frame piece. For example, the through hole allows fixings to be deployed in order to achieve such fixation.

[0012] Optionally, a first frame piece of the plurality of frame pieces is configured to overlap a first portion of the first side of the stud wall; a second frame piece of the plurality of frame pieces is configured to overlap a second portion of the second side of the stud wall; and the boundary facing side of the first frame piece and the boundary facing side of the second frame piece overlap one another, in use, when the first frame piece overlaps the first portion and the second frame piece overlaps the second portion.

[0013] Advantageously, the overlap between the boundary facing side of the first frame piece and the boundary facing side of the second frame piece provides greater structural integrity to the door opening thus the door opening is reinforced. In other words, structural support is enhanced by the overlap between the boundary facing side of the first frame piece and the boundary facing side of the second frame piece.

[0014] Advantageously, because of the overlap between the boundary facing side of the first frame piece and the boundary facing side of the second frame piece, the reinforcement assembly may be deployed on walls of different thicknesses (so long as said overlap exists). Accordingly, for door openings of the same lateral size (e.g., the two-dimensional size which is parallel to the first and second sides of the stud wall), the same frame pieces can be deployed for different wall thicknesses. Such flexibility may also simplify manufacture of the frame pieces.

[0015] Optionally, the boundary facing side of the first frame piece comprises a first set of slotted through holes which are in a first orientation; and the boundary facing side of the second frame piece comprises a second set of slotted through holes which are in a second orientation different to the first orientation.

[0016] Advantageously, the slotted through holes provided flexibility in terms of the locations at which fixings may be deployed.

[0017] Optionally, when, in use, the first frame piece overlaps the first portion and the second frame piece overlaps the second portion, there is an overlap between the first set of slotted through holes and the second set of through holes.

[0018] Advantageously, the overlap of the slotted through holes means that fixings can be deployed via said slotted through holes for a range of different amounts of overlap between the boundary facing side of the first frame piece and the boundary facing side of the second frame piece. Accordingly, the frame pieces may be fixed via the first and second sets of overlapping slotted through holes, using fixings, for a range of wall thicknesses.

[0019] Optionally, the boundary facing side of the first frame piece comprises a third set of slotted through holes which are in the second orientation; and the boundary facing side of the second frame piece comprises a fourth set of slotted through holes which are in the first orientation.

[0020] Advantageously, each of the first and second frame pieces comprises slotted through holes having both orientations out of the first and second orientations. This provides greater flexibility in how the first and second frame pieces may be fixed in place.

[0021] Optionally, the first set of slotted through holes is provided closer to the first end of the first frame piece as compared to the third set of slotted through holes; and the fourth set of slotted through holes is provided closer to the first end of the second frame piece as compared to the second set of slotted through holes.

[0022] Advantageously, in this manner, the slotted through holes can be arranged in a manner so that when two of the frame pieces are oriented top to bottom in an in use 4 arrangement, the first set of slotted through holes having the first orientation overlap with the second set of slotted through holes having the second orientation, and the third set of slotted through holes having the second orientation overlap with the fourth set of clotted through holes having the first orientation. In this way, there is provided overlap between differently oriented slotted through holes. Because each of the first and second frame pieces have sets of through holes of both orientations, the first and second frame pieces can be made identical to one another, and are arranged top to bottom (at a 180 degree relative angle so that their respective securing folds are at opposite ends) in order for the slotted through holes to overlap in this manner. Advantageously, this simplifies manufacture by allowing for identical frame pieces to be manufactured to be used as both the first and second frame pieces.

[0023] Optionally, each of the plurality of frame pieces is fixed to the plurality of filler pieces using fixings. Advantageously, the frame pieces can be securely fixed in the desired position relative to the door opening.

[0024] Optionally, the plurality of frame pieces comprise steel. Advantageously, steel provides a high level of structural strength (for example, steel is a harder metal than aluminium). Furthermore, there are types of steel available which are resistant to corrosion, for example, galvanised steel or stainless steel.

[0025] Optionally, the frame assembly comprises a bridge frame section configured to overlap a floor facing boundary face of the set of door opening boundary faces. Advantageously, the bridge frame section covers up and supports the floor facing boundary face of the door opening. For example, the plurality of frame pieces may comprise the described first and second frame pieces for the vertical boundary face on one side of the door opening, and a third and fourth frame piece for the vertical boundary face on the opposite side of the door opening (for example, four frame pieces for a typically shaped door opening). Advantageously, the bridge frame section may connect the first and second frame pieces to the third and fourth frame pieces to enhance the structural support. In this manner, all the boundary faces (not including the floor) may be covered up and supported.

[0026] Optionally, the reinforcement assembly comprises a plurality of boards for overlapping, in use, the frame assembly so as to cover up the entirety of the frame assembly.

[0027] Advantageously, the boards avoid the frame assembly remaining exposed.

[0028] Optionally, the plurality of boards comprise a fire retardant material. Advantageously, such boards improve the fire rating of the stud wall comprising the door opening.

[0029] According to a second aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a method providing structural support to a door opening in a stud wall, the method comprising deploying onto the door opening the reinforcement assembly according to the first aspect.

[0030] Advantageously, the method according to the second aspect allows the advantages of the disclosed reinforcement assembly to be realised.

[0031] Optionally, the method according to the second aspect comprises producing the plurality of filler pieces to fit cavities between studs and wall panels of the stud wall. Advantageously, filler pieces can be produced in accordance with the particular open cavities created when cutting out the door opening to be supported.

[0032] Optionally, the method according to the second aspect comprises producing a first pair of identical frame pieces; and producing a second pair of identical frame pieces.

[0033] Advantageously, pairs of identical frame pieces are produced which can be deployed onto two vertically oriented boundaries of the door opening so that the complication of manufacturing each frame piece to be different is avoided.

[0034] Optionally, the first pair of identical frame pieces is identical to the second pair of identical frame pieces. Advantageously, only one type of frame piece need be manufactured, which may then be used at any position where a frame piece is to be deployed, simply by selecting the appropriate orientation such that the desired function can be performed. Brief Description of the Drawings

[0035] Examples of the present disclosure will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a schematic front view of a reinforcement assembly, according to examples; Figure 2 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a door opening, according to examples; Figure 3 is a schematic internal front view of a stud wall, according to examples; Figure 4 is a schematic partial perspective view of the door opening, according to examples; Figure 5 is a second schematic front view of the reinforcement assembly, according to examples; Figure 6 is a first schematic perspective view of a frame piece, according to examples; Figure 7 is a second schematic perspective view of the frame piece, according to examples; Figure 8 a first schematic front view of a boundary facing side of a first frame piece, according to examples; Figure 9 is a second schematic front view of the boundary facing side of a second frame piece, according to examples; Figure 10 is a third schematic front view of the boundary facing side of a frame piece, according to examples; and Figure 11 is a fourth schematic front view of the boundary facing side of the frame piece of Figure 10, according to examples; Detailed Description

[0036] Figure 1 is a schematic front view of a reinforcement assembly 100, according to examples. The reinforcement assembly 100 comprises a frame assembly 102 comprising a plurality of frame pieces. In Figure 1, there is shown a first side 104 of the stud wall 106. The reinforcement assembly 100 is deployed onto a door opening 108 that has been created in the stud wall 106. The reinforcement assembly also comprises a plurality of filler pieces for being positioned in cavities of the stud wall at a set of door opening boundary faces of the door opening, the set of door opening boundary faces being at a non-zero angle relative to a first side of the stud wall and a second side of the 7 stud wall. In examples, each of the plurality of frame pieces: is elongate along a respective longitudinal axis. Each of the plurality of frame pieces comprises a boundary facing side and a wall facing side orthogonal to, or close to orthogonal to, the boundary facing side; and comprises a securing fold at a first end thereof, configured to face in a direction orthogonal to, or close to orthogonal to, the boundary facing side and the wall facing side.

[0037] Figure 3 is a schematic internal front view of the stud wall 106, according to examples. The stud wall 106 comprises studs 302. The studs 302 may comprise a wood material or metal. For example, the studs 302 may comprise a type of steel (e.g., galvanised steel, and the like). The stud wall 106 may comprises wall panels (not shown in Figure 3) which cover the studs 302 on both sides to provide the first side 104 and a second side of the stud wall 106 (which is the opposite side of the wall 106 to that shown in Figure 1). For example, the first side 104 is separated from the second side of the stud wall 106 by a thickness of the stud wall 106. Hereafter, the stud wall 106 is simply referred to as the wall 106.

[0038] For example, the set of boundary faces include the faces created by cutting out a part of the stud wall 106 in order to create the door opening 108. Those skilled in the art will be appreciated that it will be desired that the boundary faces are created at a 90 degree angle relative to the first and second sides of the wall 106. For example, this is so that conventional door frames and doors may be installed in the door opening 108.

[0039] Figure 2 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the door opening 108, according to examples. The cross section of Figure 2 is taken, for example, along dashed line A-A indicated in Figure 1. The label 204 refers to the second side 204 of the wall 106.

[0040] For example, in between the wall panels where there is not a wall stud 302 present, there may be a cavity. When cuts are made in the wall 106, the cavities which are immediately adjacent to the door opening 108 may become open cavities, which open into the door opening 108.

[0041] Figure 4 is a schematic partial perspective view of the door opening 108, according to examples. In the examples of Figure 4, there can be seen boundary faces 402 and 404. It will be appreciated that certain lines come to an abrupt end in Figure 4 8 because Figure 4 is merely a partial view and thus not showing structures / components outside of the viewing range of Figure 4. Accordingly, the boundary faces 402, 404 shown are not the only boundary faces of the door opening 108.

[0042] For example, if cuts are made in the wall 106, perpendicular to the first side 104 and the second side 204, then the boundary faces of the door opening 108 would be perpendicular to the first side 104 and the second side 204. As discussed above, this may often be the desirable scenario so that conventional door frames and doors can be installed. In other words, in such examples, the boundary faces of the door opening 108 would at 90 degrees or close to 90 degrees relative to the first side 104 and the second side 204. However, cuts may not necessarily be made in the wall 106 so as to be perpendicular to the first 104, and second 204 sides of the wall 106. therefore, the door opening boundary faces may be at angles other than 90° relative to the first side 104 and the second side 204. However, even in such examples, the angles may not deviate greatly away from 90°. In some examples, the angle may not deviate away from 90° more than about 15°, for example.

[0043] Certain of the sides of the frame pieces are described as orthogonal or close to orthogonal. For example, “close to orthogonal” may be taken to mean that the relative angle between two sides of a structure referred to herein as “close to orthogonal” do not have a relative angle which deviates away from 90° by an amount greater than 15°. For the purpose of simplicity of description, in the following examples, it is assumed that the door opening boundary faces are orthogonal to the first and second sides 104, 204, and that the frame pieces have orthogonal sides in the described arrangements so as to be deployable on said orthogonal door opening boundary faces.

[0044] In the examples of Figure 4, one of the studs 302 can be seen. The particular stud 302 shown in Figure 4 has been cut in order to create the door opening 108. In these examples, there are first panels 406, which form at least a part of the first side 104 of the wall 106, and there are second panels 408, which form at least a part of the second side 204 of the wall 106. At the boundary faces, and between the first and second panels 406, 408 and the studs 302, there are the described cavities. In these cavities are positioned the filer pieces 410.

[0045] In some examples, the filler pieces 410 may comprise metal or wood. For example, the filler pieces 410 may comprise a material suitable for receiving fixings and remaining steadfast to support a structure fixed thereto. For example, the filler pieces 410 may comprise steel, such as galvanised steel and the like. For example, the filler pieces may be fixed to the first and second panels 406, 408 and / or the studs 302 that are positioned close to the boundary faces. For example, such fixing may be done using screws, and the like. Advantageously, the filler pieces 410 provide support against the relevant wall panels collapsing or bending inwards towards their opposing wall panels.

[0046] Figure 6 is a first schematic perspective view of a frame piece 600 according to examples. In these examples, there is provided the wall facing side 602, the boundary facing side 604 and the securing fold 606. Certain parts which are behind other parts in the perspective view of Figure 6 are indicated in dashed line. In some examples, the securing fold 606 comprises a through hole (such as the through hole 608 shown in Figure 6) for receiving fixings. In the examples of Figure 6, there is only shown one through hole 608, however, the disclosure is not so limited and any suitable number of through holes may be provided for the fixation of the securing fold 606. There is also indicated the direction (but not necessarily the position) of the longitudinal axis of the frame piece via double sided arrow 610.

[0047] If the securing fold is oriented, in use, to be at the top as shown in Figure 6, the securing fold 606 may be fixed to the boundary face which faces down towards the floor of the structure in question. Figure 7 is a second schematic perspective view of the frame piece 600, according to examples. On the other hand, a frame piece may be rotated by 180 degrees in order that the securing fold 606 is positioned on the floor. In the examples of Figure 7, the frame piece 600 is thus oriented.

[0048] In some examples, a first frame piece of the plurality of frame pieces is configured to overlap a first portion of the first side 104 of the wall 106, a second frame piece of the plurality of frame pieces is configured to overlap a second portion of the second side 204 of the wall 106. The first and second frame pieces may be more specific examples of the frame piece 600 described above. In such examples, the boundary facing side 604 of the first frame piece and the boundary facing side 604 of the second frame piece overlap one another, in use, when the first frame piece overlaps the first portion and the second frame piece overlaps the second portion.

[0049] The first portion of the first side 104 is adjacent to the door opening 108. For example, the first portion of the first side 104 of the wall 106 is the portion which is covered up by the wall facing side 602 of the first frame piece. The first frame piece is labelled with numeral 600a and can be seen in the cross-section of Figure 2. In Figure 2, the first portion as referred to herein is indicated by numeral 502. The second frame piece is labelled with the numeral 600b in Figure 2. The second portion as referred to herein is indicated by numeral 504.

[0050] It can be seen that in the examples of Figure 2, the respective boundary facing sides 604 of the first and second frame pieces 600a, 600b overlap one another. For example, the first frame piece 600a may be oriented in the manner shown in Figure 6 and the second frame piece 600b oriented in the manner shown in Figure 7 (or vice versa), and then brought together to the in use position to create the described overlap on the vertically oriented boundary face 512 of the door opening 108.

[0051] For example, in this manner, in some examples, the securing fold 606 of one of the first and second frame pieces 600a, 600b is positioned for fixation to the floor and the securing fold 606 of the other of the first and second frame pieces 600a, 600b is positioned for fixation to the floor facing boundary face of the door opening 108.

[0052] In some examples, the frame assembly 102 comprises four frame pieces, including the first frame piece 600a, and the second frame piece 600b. For example, the opposing vertically aligned boundary face 510 relative to the abovementioned vertically aligned boundary face 512 may also be supported by frame pieces. For example, there may be a third frame piece 600c and a fourth frame piece 600d analogous to the first and second frame pieces 600a, 600b, but oriented so as to support the opposite vertically aligned boundary face 510 and third 506 and fourth 508 portions of the first 104 and second 204 sides, respectively, of the wall 106.

[0053] Those skilled in the art will clearly understand that the third and fourth frame pieces 600c, 600d merely correspond to the frame pieces for the opposite side of the door opening, and therefore, redundant description is omitted.

[0054] In some examples, the boundary facing side 604 of the first frame piece 600a comprises a first set of slotted though holes which are in a first orientation. In addition, in these examples, the boundary facing side 604 of the second frame piece 600b comprises a second set of slotted through holes which are in a second orientation different to the first orientation. Figure 8 is a first schematic front view of the boundary facing side 604 of the first frame piece 600a, according to examples. Figure 9 is a first schematic front view of the boundary facing side 604 of the second frame piece 600b, according to examples. In these examples, the first set of slotted through holes 802 are horizontally oriented, as shown in Figure 8. On the other hand, the second set of slotted through holes 902 are vertically oriented, as shown in Figure 9.

[0055] For example, when, in use, the first frame piece overlaps the first portion and the second frame piece overlaps the second portion, there is an overlap between the first set of slotted through holes and the second set of through holes.

[0056] In this manner, when the boundary facing sides of the first and second frame pieces 600a, 600b overlap one another, there are provided many sites at which there is a through hole going clear through both the first and the second frame pieces 600a, 600b, where a fixing may be deployed to fix said frame pieces to a filler piece 410, for example. Great flexibility is provided in this manner.

[0057] As one example, many wall thickness can be accommodated in this way so that the same first and second frame pieces 600a, 600b may be used for a range of wall thickness. In addition, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the height of the door opening 108 may vary. The horizontally oriented slots provide a degree of freedom in the overlap between the boundary facing sides 604 of the first and second frame pieces 600a, 600b such that the first and second frame pieces 600a, 600b can be moved apart (to accommodate a thicker wall while maintaining an overlap) and still provide fixation sites.

[0058] Because of the arrangement of the slotted through holes shown, the first and second frame pieces 600a, 600b can also be vertically offset from one another such that the separation between respective securing folds 606 is greater than the length along the longitudinal axis 610 of the first or the second frame piece. The vertically aligned slotted through holes provide the degree of freedom to achieve this while still providing 12 fixation sites. As referred to herein “fixation sites” are locations where the slotted holes of one frame piece line up with the slotted holes of the other frame piece to provide a hole through both of the frame pieces for receipt of a fixing.

[0059] In some examples, the boundary facing side 604 of the first frame piece 600a comprises a third set of slotted through holes which are in the second orientation; and the boundary facing side 604 of the second frame piece 600b comprises a fourth set of slotted through holes which are in the first orientation. For example, the third and fourth set of slotted through holes may be provided in addition to the described first and second sets of slotted through holes.

[0060] In some examples, the first set of slotted through holes 802 is provided closer to the first end of the first frame piece as compared to the third set of slotted through holes. In addition, the fourth set of slotted through holes is provided closer to the first end of the second frame piece as compared to the second set of slotted through holes. In such examples, the slotted holes may be provided, for both the first frame piece 600a and the second frame piece 600b, as shown in Figure 10. Figure 10 is a third schematic front view of the boundary facing side 604 of a frame piece, according to examples.

[0061] In these examples, the first and second frame pieces 600a, 600b may be identical. For example, in the example of Figure 10, the frame piece 1002 is oriented with the securing fold 606 positioned towards the floor. There is the second set of slotted through holes 902 positioned in an upper portion of the boundary facing side 604. There is a set of horizontally oriented slotted holes 1004 positioned closer to the first end of the frame piece 1002 where the securing fold 606 is located. Therefore, in this case, the frame piece 1002 is an example of the second frame piece and the set of slotted through holes 1004 corresponds to the fourth set of slotted through holes 1004.

[0062] However, this same frame piece of Figure 10 can be rotated 180 degrees about an axis perpendicular to the plane of the page of Figure 10, and then be used as the described first frame piece. Figure 11 is a fourth schematic front view of the boundary facing side 604 of a frame piece, according to examples. In the examples, of Figure 11 there is shown the frame piece 1002, but in a different orientation to Figure 10. In other words, the frame piece 1002 has been turned upside down to arrive at the orientation of Figure 11. In this orientation, the horizontally oriented slotted through holes may be 13 considered to correspond to the first set of slotted through holes 802 and the vertically oriented slotted through holes may be considered as the third set of slotted through holes 1102.

[0063] Accordingly, which set of through holes is referred to as the first, second, third or fourth set in the examples of Figures 10 and 11, depends on the orientation of the frame piece 1002 in combination with which of the first and second frame pieces the particular frame piece 1002 is serving as.

[0064] In some examples, each of the plurality of frame pieces is fixed to the plurality of filler pieces using fixings. For example, screws and / or bolts may be used to fix the frame pieces to the filler pieces 410. In this way, the frame pieces can be securely fixed, even if the vertically oriented boundary faces do not coincide with the studs 302 of the wall 106.

[0065] In some examples, the frame pieces comprise metal. For example, a metal may provide sufficient structural strength to support the door opening 108. Also, for example, a metal may inhibit the progress of a fire. A metal may also be able to be formed into the desired shape for the frame pieces. Metals can also be drilled to create clearance or threaded holes and the like, which would be advantageous for the present applications. In some examples, the metal used is a type of steel. For example, the frame pieces may be composed of galvanised steel, stainless steel, etc. In some examples, a type of steel is chosen which offers a level of corrosion resistance. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that galvanised steel, for example, is more resistant to corrosion than bare steel.

[0066] In some examples, the frame assembly comprises a bridge frame section configured to overlap a floor facing boundary face of the set of door opening boundary faces. For example, the bridge frame section may be a u-channel, a c-channel and the like. For example, the bridge frame section may be configured to overlap the floor facing boundary face in addition to portions of the first side 104 and the second side 204. For example, the bridge frame section may be used to connect the first and second frame pieces 600a, 600b to the third and fourth frame pieces 600c, 600d. For example, the bridge frame section may be positioned to overlap the securing folds which are positioned in the floor facing boundary face, and said securing folds and bridge frame 14 section may be fixed to the filler pieces 410 (which may comprise wood or metal, e.g., steel) at the floor facing boundary face of the door opening 108 (and to the first and second panels 406, 408, for example).

[0067] In some examples, the bridge frame section is a single piece of an appropriate material (e.g., the same material as the frame pieces). In other examples, the bridge frame section comprises two more pieces which are assembled together to form the bridge frame section as a whole. Figure 5 is a schematic front view of the reinforcement assembly 100 comprising the bridging frame section 1202. For example, the bridging frame section 1202 may comprise two frame sections with an L-shape cross section (similar to the first to fourth frame pieces, as described) across their longitudinal axes, which are arranged to overlap over the floor facing boundary face in a similar manner to how the first and second frame pieces overlap one another, for example.

[0068] In some examples, the reinforcement assembly 100 comprises a plurality of boards for overlapping, in use, the frame assembly so as to cover up the entirety of the frame assembly 102. For example, parts of the frame assembly 102 may be covered up by the boards. For example, where the bridge frame section is also included and all parts of the frame assembly are metal, no metal is left exposed by the boards.

[0069] The boards advantageously cover the frame assembly so that the frame assembly is not exposed. The boards may also provide a more finished look to the supported door opening 108. In some examples, the plurality of boards comprise a fire retardant material. Examples include, but are not limited to, calcium silicate board, cement particle board, and gypsum-based plasterboard. Advantageously, such board comprising fire retardant covering up the frame sections improves the fire safety characteristics of the wall 106 with the supported door opening 108.

[0070] For example, the boards which face the first or second sides 104,204 may extend past the respective frame assembly pieces they cover and contact the respective side of the wall on which they are positioned. For example, said boards may comprise a lip or ledge and the like to provide that the portion of said boards which extend past the relevant pieces of the frame assembly contact the first and second sides 104, 204, taking account of the thickness of the frame assembly pieces positioned on the first and second sides 104, 204. In this manner, no part of the frame assembly remains exposed. However, in examples where it is not a requirement to improve the fire safety characteristics of the reinforcement assembly 100, the boards may be omitted.

[0071] There may be provided a method of providing structural support to a door opening in a stud wall, the method comprising deploying onto the door opening a reinforcement assembly according to any of the described examples. The method may comprise producing the plurality of filler pieces to fit cavities between studs and wall panels of the stud wall. The method may comprise producing a first pair of identical frame pieces; and producing a second pair of identical frame pieces. In some examples of said method, the first pair of identical frame pieces is identical to the second pair of identical frame pieces.

[0072] Attention is directed to all papers and documents which are filed concurrently with or previous to this specification in connection with this application and which are open to public inspection with this specification, and the contents of all such papers and documents are incorporated herein by reference.

[0073] All of the features disclosed in this specification (including any accompanying claims, abstract and drawings), and / or all of the steps of any method or process so disclosed, may be combined in any combination, except combinations where at least some of such features and / or steps are mutually exclusive. Each feature disclosed in this specification (including any accompanying claims, abstract and drawings) may be replaced by alternative features serving the same, equivalent or similar purpose, unless expressly stated otherwise. Thus, unless expressly stated otherwise, each feature disclosed is one example only of a generic series of equivalent or similar features.

[0074] In the above description, various specific examples are described. The invention is not restricted to the details of the foregoing example(s). The invention extends to any novel one, or any novel combination, of the features disclosed in this specification (including any accompanying claims, abstract and drawings), or to any novel one, or any novel combination, of the steps of any method or process so disclosed.

Claims

1. A reinforcement assembly for providing structural support to a door opening in a stud wall, the reinforcement assembly comprising:a frame assembly comprising a plurality of frame pieces;a plurality of filler pieces for being positioned in cavities of the stud wall at a set of door opening boundary faces of the door opening, the set of door opening boundary faces being at a non-zero angle relative to a first side of the stud wall and a second side of the stud wall, wherein each of the plurality of frame pieces:is elongate along a respective longitudinal axis;comprises a boundary facing side and a wall facing side orthogonal to, or close to orthogonal to, the boundary facing side; andcomprises a securing fold at a first end thereof, configured to face in a direction orthogonal to, or close to orthogonal to, the boundary facing side and the wall facing side.

2. The reinforcement assembly according to claim 1, wherein:the securing fold of each of the frame pieces comprises a through hole for receiving a fixing.

3. The reinforcement assembly according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein:a first frame piece of the plurality of frame pieces is configured to overlap a first portion of the first side of the stud wall;a second frame piece of the plurality of frame pieces is configured to overlap a second portion of the second side of the stud wall; andthe boundary facing side of the first frame piece and the boundary facing side of the second frame piece overlap one another, in use, when the first frame piece overlaps the first portion and the second frame piece overlaps the second portion.

4. The reinforcement assembly according to claim 3, wherein:the boundary facing side of the first frame piece comprises a first set of slotted through holes which are in a first orientation; andthe boundary facing side of the second frame piece comprises a second set of slotted through holes which are in a second orientation different to the first orientation.

175. The reinforcement assembly according to claim 4, wherein:when, in use, the first frame piece overlaps the first portion and the second frame piece overlaps the second portion, there is an overlap between the first set of slotted through holes and the second set of slotted through holes.

6. The reinforcement assembly according to any one of claims 3 to 5, wherein:the boundary facing side of the first frame piece comprises a third set of slotted through holes which are in the second orientation; andthe boundary facing side of the second frame piece comprises a fourth set of slotted through holes which are in the first orientation.

7. The reinforcement assembly according to claim 6, wherein:the first set of slotted through holes is provided closer to the first end of the first frame piece as compared to the third set of slotted through holes; andthe fourth set of slotted through holes is provided closer to the first end of the second frame piece as compared to the second set of slotted through holes.

8. The reinforcement assembly according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein:each of the plurality of frame pieces is fixed to the plurality of filler pieces using fixings.

9. The reinforcement assembly according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein:the plurality of frame pieces comprise steel.

10. The reinforcement assembly according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein:the frame assembly comprises a bridge frame section configured to overlap a floor facing boundary face of the set of door opening boundary faces.

11. The reinforcement assembly according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising:a plurality of boards for overlapping, in use, the frame assembly so as to cover up the entirety of the frame assembly.

12. The reinforcement assembly according to claim 11, wherein:the plurality of boards comprise a fire retardant material.

13. A method of providing structural support to a door opening in a stud wall, the method comprising deploying onto the door opening a reinforcement assembly, the reinforcement assembly comprising:a frame assembly comprising a plurality of frame pieces;a plurality of filler pieces for being positioned in cavities of the stud wall at a set of door opening boundary faces of the door opening, the set of door opening boundary faces being at a non-zero angle relative to a first side of the stud wall and a second side of the stud wall, wherein each of the plurality of frame pieces:is elongate along a respective longitudinal axis;comprises a boundary facing side and a wall facing side orthogonal to, or close to orthogonal to, the boundary facing side; andcomprises a securing fold at a first end thereof, configured to face in a direction orthogonal to, or close to orthogonal to, the boundary facing side and the wall facing side.

14. The method according to claim 13, comprising:producing the plurality of filler pieces to fit cavities between studs and wall panels of the stud wall.

15. The method according to claim 13 or claim 14, comprising:producing a first pair of identical frame pieces; andproducing a second pair of identical frame pieces.

16. The method according to claim 15, wherein:the first pair of identical frame pieces is identical to the second pair of identical frame pieces.

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