Technical field of the invention
[0001] The present invention relates to a tool for fitting a frame, which tool comprises
an element adjustable in length and means for temporarily fixing the element at a
certain given length, the adjustable element having two stop means which are disposed
at a distance from one another. The tool is primarily intended for fitting of door
frames, but it is also possible, for example, for the tool to be used in the fitting
of window frames.
State of the art
[0002] A tool previously known from
DE 27 05 591 for fitting a door frame comprises in the region of one end of the tool a clamping
plate activated by a clamp. The clamping plate abuts against the side of the frame
which faces inwards towards the aperture which the frame defines. The function of
the clamping plate and the clamp is to hold the tool firmly on the frame, and any
expanding force in the space between the frame and the adjacent wall is exerted by
the moulding foam introduced into said space.
[0003] Assembly clamps for fitting a door frame are previously known from
DE 197 47 910. Those tools are applied close to the upper corner of the door frame. They comprise
L-shaped clamping elements by which firm clamping is effected relative to the aperture
in which door frame is being fitted. This involves a threaded rod acting upon one
member of the L, while the other member is caused to abut against the contour of the
aperture. These clamps seem to be only usable at the corner of the frame and they
also have no means for fitting elements of the frame horizontally and vertically.
Object and features of the invention
[0004] A primary object of the present invention is to propose a tool of the kind defined
in the introduction which is extremely user-friendly.
[0005] Another object of the present invention is that the tool should satisfactorily assemble
elements of the frame horizontally and vertically.
[0006] A further object of the present invention is that the tool should be of simple construction
and therefore relatively inexpensive to manufacture.
[0007] At least the primary object of the present invention is achieved by a tool provided
with the features indicated in the independent claim set out below. Preferred embodiments
of the invention are defined in the dependent claims.
Brief description of the drawings
[0008] An embodiment of the invention is described below with reference to the attached
drawings, in which:
- Fig. 1
- depicts a perspective view of a tool according to the present invention;
- Fig. 2
- depicts a perspective view of the tool according to Fig. 1, as seen from the opposite
side of the tool;
- Fig. 3
- depicts a side view of the tool from the same side as in Fig. 1, with part of the
tool cut away to reveal a clamping mechanism;
- Fig. 4
- depicts a plan view of the tool according to the present invention;
- Fig. 5
- depicts a perspective view of the tool according to the present invention when applied
in its position of use;
- Fig. 6
- depicts a view from above of the tool according to the present invention when applied
in its position of use;
- Fig. 7
- depicts a side view of the tool when applied in its position of use;
- Fig. 8
- depicts a side view of an alternative embodiment of a tool according to the present
invention;
- Fig. 9
- depicts a plan view of the tool according to Fig. 8; and
- Fig. 10
- depicts a detail of an eccentric mechanism which forms part of the tool according
to Figs. 8 and 9.
Detailed description of a preferred embodiment of the invention
[0009] The tool according to the present invention comprises a bar-like central element
1 which in the embodiment depicted is provided with a centrally situated first water
level 3. The tool also comprises two elongation elements 5 provided with sleeve-like
portions 7 in which the bar-like central element 1 is accommodated, as most clearly
illustrated in Fig. 3, in which the portions of the bar-like central element 1 which
are accommodated in the elongation elements 5 are represented by broken lines. The
elongation elements 5 are thus movable relative to the central element 1, as indicated
by the arrows P1, P2 in Figs. 3 and 4.
[0010] As most clearly illustrated in Fig. 4, each of the elongation elements 5 is provided
with a locking means 9 which comprises a threaded portion 10 and a wheel 11 mounted
on one end of the threaded portion 10. The other end of the threaded portion 10 can
be caused to abut against the bar-like central element 1. By activating the locking
means 9 it is therefore possible to lock the central element 1 relative to the elongation
elements 5.
[0011] Each of the elongation elements 5 is also provided on one side with a stop means
in the form of a protrusion 6.
[0012] The tool also comprises two clamp elements 15 and each elongation element 5 has a
clamp element 15 associated with it. The clamp element 15 is fitted at the end of
the elongation element 5 which points away from the bar-like central element 1. The
clamp elements 15 are also disposed on the side of the elongation elements 5 which
faces away from the protrusions 6. Each of the clamp elements 15 has a housing 16
in which a clamping mechanism similar to those in known quick-fix clamps/one-hand
clamps is disposed. The clamping mechanism will be described in more detail below.
The clamp elements 15 are each connected to their respective elongation element 5
by a stem 17 which is accommodated in a cavity in the elongation element 5 and is
movable relative to the elongation element 5, as indicated in Fig. 4 by the arrows
P3 and P4. Via the clamping mechanism, the housing 16 of the clamp element 15 is mounted
movably on the respective stem 17. Each of the clamp elements 15 has on the opposite
side from the respective elongation element 5 two clamping plates 18 and 19 which
have an extent generally perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the stem 17.
The clamp elements 15 thus serve as means for activating the clamping plates 18, 19.
[0013] In the embodiment depicted, the clamping plates 18, 19 are chamfered at their free
ends. A first clamping plate 18 is fixed to the housing 16, and a second clamping
plate 19 is rigidly connected to the stem 17. In Figs. 1 and 2, the clamping plates
18, 19 are at some distance from one another, whereas in Figs. 3 and 4 the clamping
plates 18, 19 abut against one another. The fact that the distance between the clamping
plates 18, 19 can be varied is indicated by the arrows P5 and P6 in Figs. 3 and 4.
The clamping plates 18, 19 thus serve as expanding means 18, 19.
[0014] The tool according to the present invention also comprises a second water level 25
disposed in a holder 26 which is fastened pivotably to one elongation element 7 via
an articulation 27. When the holder 26 assumes the position depicted in Figs. 1-3,
i.e. when the holder 26 is turned down, its longitudinal direction is perpendicular
to that of the central element 1. This means that if the central element 1 is in a
horizontal position, the holder 26 will be in a vertical position.
[0015] The clamping mechanism forming part of the clamp element 15 is depicted schematically
in Fig. 3, in which the interior of the housing 16 of one clamp element 15 is illustrated.
Thus the clamping mechanism comprises a first washer 30 and a second washer 31 which
are disposed on the stem 17 at a certain distance from one another. The clamping mechanism
further comprises a stop device 32 which is fixed relative to the housing 16 of the
clamp element 15. The first washer 30 abuts against the stop device 32 in its inactive
state. The clamping mechanism also comprises a first compression spring 33 which acts
upon the first washer 30, and a second compression spring 34 which acts upon the second
washer 31. The two compression springs 33, 34 surround the stem 17. The first compression
spring 33 has its one end abutting against the first washer 30 and its other end abutting
against the portion of the housing 16 which is directed away from the respective elongation
element 5. The second compression spring 34 has its one end abutting against the second
washer 31 and its other end abutting against the stop device 32. The clamping mechanism
also comprises a handle 35 fastened pivotably to the housing 16. The handle 35 has
a nose 36 which abuts against the first washer 30 in the inactive state of the clamping
mechanism depicted in Fig. 3. The clamping mechanism also comprises a release button
37 disposed in the housing 16 of the clamp element 15. This release button 37 is adapted
to being able to act upon the second washer 31, more specifically to being able to
end the engagement between the second washer 31 and the stem 17.
[0016] Activation of the handle 35 activates the clamping mechanism. When the free end of
the handle 35 is moved to the right in Fig. 3, the nose 36 will move the first washer
30 to the left in Fig. 3, thereby compressing the first compression spring 33. Since
the nose 36 acts upon the lower portion of the first washer 30, the latter will be
positioned obliquely relative to the stem 17. This means that the first washer 30
will carry the stem 17 with it, i.e. it will move the latter to the left in Fig. 3.
When the handle 35 has been moved the maximum possible distance, the operator releases
the handle 35, which reverts to the position depicted in Fig. 3 under the action of
the first washer 30 being itself acted upon by the compressed first compression spring
33. The obliquely positioned second washer 31 provides assurance that the stem 17
will not be pushed back to the right but will, owing to the engagement between the
second washer 31 and the stem 17, remain in the position to which it has been moved
by the aforesaid movement of the handle 35. Thereafter the movement of the handle
is repeated and a further movement of the stem 17 to the left in Fig. 3 takes place.
This is repeated until the desired movement of the stem 17 has been achieved.
[0017] The movement described above of the stem 17 results in the second clamping plate
19 being moved to the left, while the first clamping plate 18 remains stationary.
This results in a mutual expansion between the clamping plates 18, 19, and in the
tool being clamped firmly when the sets of clamping plates 18, 19 on both sides expand.
[0018] To end the firm clamping effected by the mutually expanding clamping plates 18, 19,
the release button 37 is activated, with the result that the second washer 31 assumes
a position perpendicular to the stem 17 and the engagement between the second washer
31 and the stem 17 ceases. The stem can then be moved relative to the second washer
31.
[0019] The use of the frame tool according to the present invention is illustrated in Figs.
5-7, which schematically depict vertical wall uprights R forming part of an aperture,
and a door frame which is placed in the aperture and comprises vertical door frame
components K and a top component L. There is an intermediate space or slit S between
each wall upright R and an adjacent door frame component K. Applying the tool according
to the present invention causes the respective clamping plates 18, 19 to abut against
one another (see Fig. 6). During application of the tool, the locking means 9 are
inactive, i.e. the elongation parts 5 are movable relative to the central element
1.
[0020] The first step is to apply the tool at the top of the door frame, causing the elongation
elements 5 to abut against top component L. This stage is not depicted in Fig. 5,
in which for reasons of clarity the tool is drawn some distance down from the top
component L.
[0021] As most clearly illustrated in Fig. 6, the protrusions 6 are caused to abut against
the inside of the frame components K, while at the same time the clamping plates 18,
19 are adjusted sideways so that they can be pushed into the slit S. The result is
the state depicted in Fig. 6, in which the locking means are activated so that the
central element 1 and the elongation elements 5 are fixed relative to one another.
At this stage an adjustment is also applied to the tool on the basis of the first
water level 3 so that the tool and hence also the elongation elements 5 assume a horizontal
position. Since the elongation elements 5 abut against the top component L, this means
that the latter also assumes a horizontal position.
[0022] When the clamping plates 18, 19 are in the slit S, a separation of the clamping plates
18, 19 is effected by activation of the clamping mechanism of the respective clamp
element 15, which thus serves as a means for activating the clamping plates 18, 19.
Mutual parting of the clamping plates 18, 19 in the slit S (see Figs. 5 and 7) will
cause the tool to clamp the door frame components K of the door frame satisfactorily
relative to the respective wall uprights R. The door frame components K can then be
screwed firmly into the respective wall uprights R, the screws being situated with
advantage in the immediate vicinity of the tool. The frame components K are thus firmly
screwed in at the top of the wall uprights R.
[0023] The tool is then released from its applied position at the top by inactivation of
the clamping mechanism of the clamp element 15, causing the clamping plates 18, 19
to abut against one another. The tool is then moved downwards and applied at a new
position, followed by repeating the procedure described above for applying the tool.
The tool is normally applied at four points along the height of the door frame. When
the tool is applied satisfactorily at a new position, the frame components K are screwed
firmly into the wall uprights R as close to the tool as possible. In this context
it should be noted that the locking means 9 remain active, i.e. the distance between
the protrusions 6 remains constant. Since the tool is in a horizontal position, it
will now be easy to also adjust one door frame component K to a vertical position
by turning down the holder 26 which contains the second water level 25. Causing the
door frame component K to abut against the holder 26 results in the door frame component
K being adjusted to a vertical position. Since the door frame components K are parallel,
the two door frame components K both become vertical.
[0024] Figs. 8-10 depict an alternative embodiment of the tool according to the present
invention. The tool according to the alternative embodiment comprises an elongate
central element 101 which in the embodiment depicted is provided with apertures 102.
The tool likewise comprises two elongation elements 105, each of which is accommodated
in its respective aperture 102 and is movable relative to the central element 101
in its longitudinal direction.
[0025] Each of the elongation elements 105 is provided with a locking means 109 which comprises
a first eccentric mechanism (not depicted) of conventional configuration. The locking
means 109 accompanies the elongation element 105 when the latter is moved in its aperture
102 relative to the central element 101. By activating the locking means 109 it is
therefore possible to lock the elongation elements 105 in a desired position relative
to the central element 101.
[0026] Each of the elongation elements 105 is also provided with a stop means in the form
of an angle-iron 106 which is directed towards the frame component K on which the
tool is to be applied.
[0027] The tool also comprises two clamping elements 115 and each elongation element 105
has associated with it a clamping element 115. The clamping element 115 is fitted
at the end of the elongation element 105 which points away from the central element
101. The clamping element 115 is also disposed on the opposite side of the central
element 101 from the angle-iron 106.
[0028] Each of the clamping elements 115 has on its side facing towards the respective frame
component K two clamping plates 118 and 119 which have an extent generally perpendicular
to the longitudinal direction of the central element 101. As illustrated in Fig. 10,
a first clamping plate 118 is fixed to a first supporting element 120 disposed within
the clamping element 115, while a second clamping plate 119 is fixed to a second supporting
element 121 disposed within the clamping element 115. In this context it should be
noted that the clamping plates 118, 119 and respective supporting elements 120, 121
are disposed parallel but separate in the vertical direction when the tool is applied
on a frame component K. The supporting elements 120, 121 are supported for movement
in their longitudinal direction in the clamping element 115. A second eccentric mechanism
123 is disposed within the clamping element 115 and is adapted to cooperating with
the supporting elements 120, 121. As illustrated in Fig. 10, the second eccentric
mechanism 123 comprises an elongate activating means 124 which is supported for rotation.
Each of the supporting elements 120, 121 is provided with a recess 128, the shape
of which is adapted to the activating means 124. The recesses 128 are disposed on
opposite sides of the supporting elements 120, 121 and at least partly overlap one
another. This makes it possible for the activating means 124 to be in engagement with
both of the recesses 128. A handle 129 is force-transmittingly connected to the activating
means 124, i.e. when the handle 129 is turned the activating means 124 accompanies
its movement. The handle 129 is not depicted in Fig. 9.
[0029] Fig. 10 depicts the second eccentric mechanism 123 in its initial state in which
the clamping plates 118, 119 are at the same level sideways.
[0030] The tool according to Figs. 8-10 also comprises suspension means 140 by which the
tool can be suspended from the top component L (see Fig. 8) of the frame.
[0031] The procedure for using the tool according to Figs. 8-10 corresponds in principle
to that described above in connection with the embodiment according to Figs. 1-7.
Thus the elongation elements 105 are moved outwards so that the angle-irons 106 come
to abut against the respective insides of the frame components K. At the same time,
care is taken to ensure that the clamping plates 118, 119 are accommodated in the
intermediate space or slit S between the frame component K and the upright R. By activation
of the first eccentric mechanisms 109 the elongation elements 105 are fixed relative
to the central element 101 and the tool is applied on the frame. To ensure that the
tool assumes a horizontal position, various types of auxiliary means may be used,
e.g. water levels or laser-based orientation means. These are not depicted in the
embodiment according to Figs. 8-10.
[0032] To clamp the frame components K firmly relative to the uprights R situated outside
them, the second eccentric mechanism 123 is activated by turning the handle 129, which
causes the clamping plates 118, 119 to separate from one another sideways. The eccentric
mechanism 123 thus serves as means for activating the clamping plates 118, 119. When
the handle 129 has been turned far enough for the door frame components K of the door
frame to be satisfactorily Clamped relative to the respective wall uprights R, the
handle 129 is locked, in the position reached, by being turned outwards, causing the
eccentrically shaped head of the handle 129 to be clamped firmly against the clamping
element 115. The door frame components K can then be screwed firmly into the respective
wall uprights R. This procedure is repeated with the tool at different levels in the
vertical direction.
Conceivable modifications of the invention
[0033] In the embodiments described above, two cooperating and mutually expanding clamping
plates 18, 19; 118, 119 are used to achieve clamping of the tool firmly in the slit
S between the frame components K and the respective wall uprights R. Within the scope
of the present invention it is possible to conceive of other types of means which
achieve this clamping. By way of non-limitative example it is possible to cite the
use of a separate clamping plate which effects expansion by being positioned obliquely
in the slit S. To this end, the tool would of course comprise means for achieving
this oblique positioning.
[0034] In the embodiments described above, modified quick-fix clamps or eccentric mechanisms
are used for effecting separation of the clamping plates 18, 19; 118, 119. Within
the scope of the present invention, other types of means are conceivable for effecting
separation of the clamping plates 18, 19; 118, 119, and screw clamps or other types
of threaded mechanisms may be cited as non-limitative examples.
1. A tool for fitting a frame, which tool comprises an element adjustable in length (1,
5; 101, 105) and locking means (9; 109) for temporarily fixing the element (1, 5;
101, 105) at a certain given length, the adjustable element (1, 5; 101, 105) having
two stop means (6; 106) disposed at a distance from one another, characterized in that the tool has two sets of expanding means (18, 19; 118, 119), and means (15) for activating
the expanding means (18, 19; 118, 119), and that the distance between the sets of
expanding means (18, 19; 118, 119) is greater than the distance between the stop means
(6; 106).
2. A tool according to claim 1, characterized in that each set of expanding means comprises two clamping plates (18, 19; 118, 119), the
mutual spacing of which is adjustable.
3. A tool according to claim 2, characterized in that the free ends of the clamping plates (18, 19) are chamfered.
4. A tool according to claim 2, charactezized in that the clamping plates (118, 119) are parted in the vertical direction when the tool
is applied on a frame.
5. A tool according to any one of the above claims, characterized in that the means for activating a set of expanding means (18, 19; 118, 119) comprises a
clamp element (15).
6. A tool according to any one of claims 1-4, characterized in that the means for activating a set of expanding means (18, 19; 118, 119) comprises an
eccentric mechanism (123).
7. A tool according to any one of the above claims, characterized in that the element adjustable in length comprises a central element (1; 101) and two elongation
elements (5; 105), that the elongation elements (5; 105) are movable relative to the
central element (1; 101) and that locking means (9; 109) are provided for temporary
locking of the elongation elements (5; 105) relative to the central element (1; 101).
8. A tool according to any one of the above claims, characterized in that the element (1, 5) adjustable in length is provided with a first water level (3).
9. A tool according to claim 8, characterized in that the tool comprises a second water level (25) disposed in a holder (25) fastened pivotably
to the element (1, 5) which is adjustable in length.