Frame reinforcing device

Abstract

 The present invention relates to a device for reinforcing frames, (15) in particular but not exclusively door frames, especially around a mortice (17) therein for receiving a mortice-lock bolt, to improve the security of the frame (15).
The device comprises a first plate member (1) preferably having mounted on one of its faces first connection means (3), the position of the mounting preferably being invisible from the other face, second connection means (9) for co-operation with the first connection means (3), and a second plate member (5) having means (7) for receiving the second connection means (9) in alignment with the first connection means (3), wherein, in use, the first plate member (1) is located on one face, e.g. the outside of the frame (15), with the first connection means (3) extending into a hole or holes (13) passing through the frame (15), the second plate member (5) is located on the other, e.g. inside of the frame (15) opposite the first plate member (1), and the second connection means (9) is received by the second plate member (5) and is connected to the first connection means (3) through the or each hole (13) to bring the first and second plate members (1,5) into abutment with the outside and inside respectively of the frame (15). When the frame (15) has a mortice (17) therein, the device is used to reinforce the portion of the frame (15) around the mortice (17), but it can be used to reinforce or strengthen alternative types of locking devices fitted to the frame (15).

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a device for reinforcing frames, in particular but not exclusively door frames, and is particularly designed for use around a mortice formed in the 'frame for receiving a mortice-lock bolt.

[0002] At the present time, burglaries are becoming more and more frequent and there has therefore been much interest in manufacturing devices to prevent forced. entry into houses or business premises, or into a particular room or. area in a house or other premises.

[0003] It has been found in some places.that in up to 50% . of reported cases of burglary, access was gained through. an exterior door, and in about 50% of. these cases, access Was gained through the front door of the premises.

[0004] A great deal of effort has therefore been expended . on improving the security of exterior doors One area of study has been the types of lock used, which have become more and more sophisticated. There are now available seven lever action mortice locks. Anather area of study has been the manufacture of the doors themselves. An example of the developments in this area is given in our co-pending British Application No.8222264-

[0005] However, the present invention is concerned with an aspect of door security which has hitherto been ignored.

[0006] The present invention is designed to solve a problem which has not previously/been appreciated. Although there has been much activity in improving doors. and locks, this still has not solved all. the security problems of doors having mortice locks.

[0007] It has been found that there is a weak point, not so much in the doors or the locks, but in the door frame. When a mortice lock is provided, a very weak point is located adjacent the mortice for receiving the mortice-lock bolt. In this area, the frame is relatively thin, and it has been found that very little force is needed to cause the frame and any keeper plate which is provided to split at this point. If a keeper or lock frame plate is used, this can easily be dislodged from its screwed mounting, or can itself be broken. 0172285

[0008] The frame can easily be split at this point, leaving the lock and door intact, by application of relatively little force, for instance by charging the door, kicking it hard, or by use of a jemmy.

[0009] The device of the present invention has been specifically designed to reinforce this vulnerable area by transmitting any forces applied to the door away from the mortice area to the whole frame. Even if a mortice lock is not used, the device can still be used to provide a considerably strengthened fixing for whatever locking means is used, by transferring forces applied thereto to the frames.

[0010] According to the present invention, there is provided a device for reinforcing a frame comprising a first plate member having first connection means arranged. in use, to project from one of its faces, second connection means for co-operation with the first connection means, and a second plate member having means for receiving the second connection means in alignment with the first connection means, wherein, in use, the first plate member is located on the one side of the frame with the first connection means extending into a hole or holed passing through the frame, the second plate member is located on the other side of the frame opposite the first plate member, and the second connection means is received by the second plate member and is connected to the first connection means through the or each hole to bring the first and second plate members into abutment with the two sides of the frame.

[0011] When a mortice is formed in the frame for receiving the bolt of a mortice lock mounted on a door or- the like mounted within the frame, the device may be fitted to the frame on either side of the mortice to strengthen the frame in the vicinity of the mortice.

[0012] Preferably, the first plate member is located on the outside of the frame, and preferably the first connection ^. means is mounted on an inner face of the first plate member.

[0013] Preferably, the first connection means is invisible from the outer face of the first plate members.

[0014] Although the invention will be described herein with reference to door frames, it will be readily apparent to a skilled person that the present device could also be. used to reinforce window frames, hatchways, etc., especially where the frame has in it a mortice for receiving a locking member.

[0015] Preferably, the first and second plate members are generally rectangular and of the same size.

[0016] Usually, where the frame is a door frame, the outer edges of the mortice are supported by a. lock frame or keeper plate flush mounted in the frame- Conveniently, the plate members are longer than the lock frame plate - and are as wide as possible having regard to the width. and design of the frame.

[0017] The plate members should be manufactured from robust material, for instance a metal such a steel, which will resist shock damage.

[0018] The first connection means is preferably an-internally threaded rod mounted, for instance by welding,·with its axis perpendicular to the face of the first plate member. In such a case, the second connection means may comprise a complementarily threaded bolt- The-bolt may be entirely separate from the second. plate member, in which case the means for receiving the bolt will. comprise a hole in the plate :member and the head of the bolt will be enlarged to prevent it passing through the holes Alternatively, the bolt may be rotatably mounted in or. on the second plate member.

[0019] Preferably, there is at least one first connection means located adjacent each end of the first plate member, and an equivalent number of 'second connection means and receiving means.

[0020] The advantage of using co-operating threaded members for the connection means is that the device may be used on frames of varying depth and that' the device may be removed easily from the inside.

[0021] It will be readily apparent to a person skilled in the art that such threaded connection means could be replaced by non-adjustable or non-removable connection means. For instance, one of the connection means may comprise a member having on or in it a set of fixed teeth and the other means comprises a member having in or on it, respectively., a set of complementary teeth which are resiliently movable in one direction only- In use, one of the members will be inserted into the other and the movable teeth deformed to allow this- However, once inserted, the teeth will not be deformable to allow removal of the device.

[0022] As the first plate member has nothing on its exposed, e.g. outer, face, it is not possible readily to tamper with the device. In many cases, it will not be possible to tell that the plate is in fact part of a security system, especially if it is flush-mounted on the frame. by being located in a specially formed recess- Its fu nction may be further disguised by putting a surface coating, such as paint or zinc plate, or forming, an attractive design, on the outside of the first plate member-This will hot detract. from its .strength.

[0023] The second plate member may also be formed with or have attached to its outer surface anchorage points for door chains, surface door bolt staples or eyes, -simple night latch brackets, surface mounted lock plates, or the like.

[0024] The device of the present invention therefore provides a useful addition to the number of devices available for increasing security at doors and the like- It can readily be fitted by.home handymen and can be used in conjunction with other security devices.

[0025] One embodiment of the device of the present invention and four alternative embodiments of second plate members for use in the device of the present invention are. now described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:-

FIGURE 1 shows the device in place on a door frame, and

'FIGURES 2a to. 2d show alternative embodiments of second plate members.

[0026] Referring now to Figure l of the drawings, the device comprises a first rectangular plate member 1 made of 5mm thick steel. Adjacent each of its ends, a hollow internally threaded steel rod 3 is welded onto one face of the plate member 1. The axis of each rod 3 is perpendicular to the surface of the plate 1 It is not essential that rods 3 are secured to the plate 1, but they should be so associated with the plate l. that it is impossible, or extremely difficulty for them to be tampered with from the outer face of a frame 15 to which the plate member 1 is fitted.

[0027] The device further comprises a second plate member 5 which, as shown, but not necessarily, is of the same shape and size as the first plate member l. A hole 7 is formed adjacent each end.of the second plate member 5 in a complementary position to that of each of the rods 3. The holes ₇ are countersunk, but need not be.

[0028] The last components of the device are two externally - threaded bolts 9 having flared heads 11 which can be . screwed into rods 3. The flared heads 11 are shaped to fit snugly into the countersunk holes 7.

[0029] Toofit the device to the frame 15, which is shown having a mortice 17 therein, two holes 13 marginally larger than-the rods 3 are drilled through the frame 15, above and below the mortice 17 for receiving a mortice-lock bolt. The frame 15 is shown having a rebate 19 formed in it, forming an abutment for the door when closed. A lock frame or keeper plate 21 is flush mounted around the mortice 17 and fixed to the frame 15 by screws in known manner.

[0030] The holes 13 are spaced apart a distance equal to the spacing of the rods 3 and holes 7. The first plate 1 is positioned on the outside of the frame 15 with the rods 3 inserted in the holes 13. The second plate 5 is positioned on the inside of the frame 15 with the holes ₇ and 13 in register. The bolts 9 arc then inserted through the holes 7 and 13 and are screwed into the rods 3 until the plates 1, 5 abut tightly the portion of the frame 15 surrounding the mortice 17.

[0031] If the device of the present invention were not present, the shaded area 23 of the frame 15 and the adjacent narrow portion of the keeper plate 21 would. be relatively weak and could. readily be split by application of a relatively small force to the door.

[0032] However, with the device of the present invention fitted, any force applied to the area 23 is transmitted by the second plate 5, the bolts 9 and the rods 3 to the first plate 1. The force is therefore spread over the whole area of the plate 1 onto the frame 15- It is thus no longer possible to split the frame 15 unless a very large force is applied to the door- This degree of reinforcement will be sufficient to deter most normal burglars.

[0033] Moreover, as the exposed surface of the first plate will be plain or coated, it will not be possible readily to ascertain its function or to tamper with it from outside the door. It will therefore be extremely difficult to overcome the reinforcing effect of the door from outside.

[0034] Referring now to Figures 2a to 2d, there are shown four alternative embodiments of the second plate which could be used in place of the second plate 5 shown in Figure 1. Alternatively, each of these second plates could be used in conjunction with its own. first plate, bolts and rods as a supplementary security device, or in place of a mortice lock device of Figure l

[0035] In Figure 2a, the plate 5a has in one end, which in use will be its upper end, a slot 25 for receiving a chain pin 27, when the chain 29 is not in use- The chain 29 is attached to an eye lla which may be integral with one of the bolts 9. The eye lla has a bore 31 formed in it for receiving the chain 29. Thus, if the chain 29 is in use and the door is not locked, any force exerted on the chain 29 will be transmitted to-the first plate member 1, not to the weak area of the door frame 15.

[0036] In Figure 2b, the plate 5b has welded onto it a strong steel tube 33 for receiving a standard door bolt which would be mounted on the door.

[0037] In Figure 2c, the plate 5c has a bracket 35, for receiving a night latch, attached to it- The bracket 35 is S-shaped, having one of its ends attached to the plate 5c by the bolt 9. This end of the bracket 35 also has on it flanges 37 for locating it securely on the plate. The other end of the bracket 35 forms between it and the plate 5c a space for receiving 39. The latch 39 is pivotally fixed onto the door-In Figure 2d, the plate 5d has screwed onto it a lock plate 41 for receiving the bolt of a surface-mounted lock, such as a Yale-type lock.

[0038] In each of the cases illustrated in Figures 2a to 2d any force exerted on the door will be transmitted away from the weak mortice point of the frame by-the plates 1, 5, bolts 9 and rods 3, thus making it.extremely difficult to gain access from the outside by application of force to the door.

[0039] Of course, if the device is additionally includes any of the features shown in Figures 2a to 2d, it will provide an-extremely strong mounting for the chain 29, tube 33 for receiving a bolt head, bracket 35 for a night latch; or for the lock plate 41.

Claims

1. A device for reinforcing a frame comprising a first plate member, first connection means arranged, in use, to project from one of the faces of the first plate member, second connection means for co-operation with the first connection means, and a second plate member having means for recieving the second connection means in alignment with the first connection means, wherein, in use, the first plate member is located on one side of the frame with the first connection means extending into a hole or holes passing through the frame, the second plate member is located on the other side of the frame opposite the first plate member, and the second connection means is received by the second plate member and is connected to the first connection means through the or each hole to bring the first and second plate members into abutment with the two sides of the frame.

2.-.A device according to claim 1 wherein the first connection means is mounted on an inner face of the first plate member.

3. A device according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the first connection means is invisible from an outer face of the first plate member.

4. A device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the first and second plate members are generally rectangular and of the same size.

5. A device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the first and second plate members are manufactured from a robust material which will resist shock damage.

6. A device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the first connection means is an internally threaded rod mounted with its axis perpendicular to the inner face of the first plate member and the second connection means comprises a complementarily threaded bolt.

7. A device according to claim 6, wherein the receiving means of the second plate member comprises a hole therethrough and the bolt has a head having a larger diameter than that of the hole.

8. A device according to any one of claims 1 to 7 wherein an outer surface of the first plate member has a surface coating or has a design formed thereon to disguise its function.

9. A device according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the second plate member has on it a further security device selected from the group consisting of a surface anchorage point for a door chain,a surface door bolt staple, a night latch bracket, and a surface mounted lock plate.

10. A method of reinforcing a frame comprising forming at least one hole in the frame, and securing to inner and outer faces of the frame respectively first. and second plate members by means of first and second connection means associated with the plate members, wherein the first connection means is inserted into the at least one hole from the outside of the frame to hold the first plate member in position on the outside of the frame, the second plate member is placed on the inside of the frame, with receiving means therein for the second connection means in register with the first connection means, and connecting the first and second connection means to bring the first and second plate members into abutment with the frame.

Drawing