(19) (11) EP 1 186 740 B1 (12) EUROPEAN PATENT SPECIFICATION (45) Date of publication and mention of the grant of the patent: 26.03.2008 Bulletin 2008/13 (51) Int Cl.: E06B 1/26 (2006.01) E06B 1/32 (2006.01) E06B 1/70 (2006.01) (21) Application number: 00119299.6 (22) Date of filing: 06.09.2000 (54) Adjustable door frame assembly Anpassbares Zargensystem Système d encadrement ajustable (84) Designated Contracting States: DE ES FR GB IT NL (43) Date of publication of application: 13.03.2002 Bulletin 2002/11 (73) Proprietor: NAN YA PLASTICS CORPORATION Taipei (TW) (72) Inventor: Chen Wang, Kuei-Yung, c/o Window & Frame Division, Taipei (TW) (74) Representative: Grünecker, Kinkeldey, Stockmair & Schwanhäusser Anwaltssozietät Maximilianstrasse 58 80538 München (DE) (56) References cited: DE-A- 19 509 330 GB-A- 1 508 581 GB-A- 2 177 442 EP 1 186 740 B1 Note: Within nine months from the publication of the mention of the grant of the European patent, any person may give notice to the European Patent Office of opposition to the European patent granted. Notice of opposition shall be filed in a written reasoned statement. It shall not be deemed to have been filed until the opposition fee has been paid. (Art. 99(1) European Patent Convention). Printed by Jouve, 75001 PARIS (FR)
1 EP 1 186 740 B1 2 Description BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. FIELD OF THE INVENTION [0001] The present invention relates to adjustable door frames therefore and, more specifically, to a door frame assembly could be adjusted to fit the door opening of different sizes preset in various buildings. [0002] It uses PVC foamed plastics as the door frame material and takes the advantage of their easy cutting property. In addition, the co-extrusion technique is also applied in this invention to upgrade the air and watertight quality of traditional door frames. 2. DESCRIPTION OF RELATED ART [0003] Traditionally, when installing a prefabricated door frame in a preset wall opening, it is often necessary to cut the door frame so that they will properly fit in the opening space when the opening size is non-standard or irregular. This presents a difficulty and takes more extra time when installing a door frame, and it may even damages the appearance and strength of the door or requires to change a new door frame for installation. Also, it need a larger place to store many different sizes of door frames and more manpower to take charge of the difference. [0004] Several prior arts which deal with this problem including doors and frames which are adjustable in height and width and frames which accommodate walls of different thickness. However, none of the prior art discloses a door frame assembly in which the door frame materials are soft enough to be easily cut off for adjusting the door height or width so that the frame can accommodate wall openings of different heights. [0005] Great Britain Patent Application No. GB 1 508 581 relates to an adjustable door frame assembly comprising parts according to the preamble of claim 1. [0006] U.S. Pat. No. 4,922,659, issued May 8, 1990 to Muccioli, shows an adjustable door and frame assembly in which the height and width of the door adjusts telescopically and in which the height and width of the frame is adjusted by removing pre-cut portions of the header and jamb members. [0007] U.S. Pat. No. 5,291,688, issued Mar. 8, 1994 to Pederson which are adjusted by moving an edge portion of the door relative to a central portion. These doors require interfitted moving parts unlike the door of the present invention which is adjusted by cutting PVC foamed plastic jambs. [0008] U.S. Pat. No. 4,825,610, issued May 2, 1989 to Gasteiger and 5,038,538, issued Aug. 13, 1991 to Rozon show door frames with telescoping frame extension members, which allow the frames to be installed in wall openings of various sizes. However, its adjusting method is different from this invention. 5 10 15 20 25 30 35 40 45 50 55 [0009] U.S. Pat. No. 5,845,439, issued Dec. 8, 1998 to Hendley, disclosed a way by removing some different sizes of the door s core pieces to adjust the door and frame dimension, however, it did not mention any technics utilizing the easy cutting materials likes the PVC foamed plastics to adjust the door height or width by cutting pieces of frame, either. [0010] None of the above inventions and patents, taken either singularly or in combination, is seen to describe the instant invention as we claimed. Thus, a method of adjusting a door frame assembly for the installation in door openings to solve the aforementioned problems is deserved to be patented. BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION [0011] The present invention relates to a method for adjusting a door frame assembly according to the preamble of claim 1. The door frame using the technology of coextruding plastics for the installation in door openings comprises PVC foamed plastics jambs, comer connection metal piece, U shape reinforced metal and coextruded soft stripes to form a "Π" shape frame first and to be joined with the bottom threshold to become a door frame assembly. [0012] Accordingly, it is a principal object of the invention to provide a method of adjusting a door frame assembly which may be installed in door openings with different heights or widths through cut-off process on easy cutting structure and materials. [0013] It is another object of the invention to provide a method of adjusting a door frame assembly which utilizes co-extrusion technique to combine the door frame with soft gasket while it is produced, to improve the qualities regarding air-tight water-resistant and anti-slide. [0014] It is a further object of the invention to provide a method of adjusting a door frame assembly combining threshold and foot plate together, and to increase the height of threshold for the wind pressure resistance. [0015] In order to attain the above objectives, there is provided a method of adjusting a door frame assembly for the installation in door openings according to claim 1. Preferred embodiments of the method are subject to the dependent claims. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS [0016] FIG. 1 is an exploded view of the adjustable door frame used for the method of the present invention and shows the assembling construction. [0017] FIG. 2 is the cross sectional view of 2-2 on fig. 1 showing the door frame adapted to different width of door opening after cut-off. [0018] FIG. 3 is a vertical sectional view of the assembling between the door and the side strips of the middle frame. [0019] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the threshold. 2
3 EP 1 186 740 B1 4 [0020] FIG. 5 is a cross sectional view of the "T" shape middle frame of this invention mounting to double doors. [0021] Representation of each number in the drawings: 1 : left "h" type frame 2 : top "h" type frame 3 : right "h"type frame 4 : bottom threshold 5 : metal piece for corner connection 6: co-extruded soft gasket 7 : "U "shape metal for reinforcement 8 : inner groove of frame bottom 9 : anti-slide strip co-extruded wit threshold 10 : cutting ends of frame 11 : groove of threshold top 12 : soft strip of threshold for water resistant 13 : "T" shape middle frame for double doors 14 : soft strip co-extruded with middle frame 15 : gasket for door fixing DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EM- BODIMENTS [0022] Referring to the drawings, the door frame used for the method of this invention is made of top frame 2 of PVC foamed plastic co-extruded with soft gasket, left frame 1, right frame 3, comer connecting metal 5, "U" shape reinforced metal 7 and bottom threshold 4. FIG. 1 illustrates the assembling procedures. First, screwing up the left frame 1 and the top frame 2 together with comer connecting metal pieces 5, then following the same way fixing the right frame to form a "Π" shape frame. Finally, to put the ends of the left and the right frames into the preset holes at the two ends of bottom threshold 4. [0023] Fig. 2 illustrates that how the side frames bottoms 10 of "h" shape being cut adapted for different width of door opening. [0024] The main body frame is co-extruded with soft gasket 6 to save assembling time. In addition, the inner groove 8 at the bottom of frame could be inserted with "U" shape reinforced metal 7 to increase door frame s rigidity and to prevent deformation while getting moisture or overheat. The bottom threshold 4 is also co-extruded with soft gasket such as anti-slide strip 9 for safety. Moreover, Fig. 3 and Fig. 4 illustrate that its height is increased to resist wind pressure, and the threshold top is designed a groove set for installing soft water resistant gasket to provide the function for airtight proof and water penetrating prevention. [0025] In Fig. 5, it shows that the middle frame is designed as "T" shape to be good for fitting to double door frames. [0026] It is to be understood that the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, but encompasses any and all embodiments within the scope of the following claims. 5 10 15 20 25 30 35 40 45 50 55 Claims 1. A method of adjusting a door frame assembly for the installation in door openings, wherein said door frame assembly, using the technology of coextruding plastics, comprises: four PVC foamed plastic jambs (1, 2, 3, 4) provided as a left frame (1), a top frame (2), a right frame (3) forming a "Π" shape frame and a bottom threshold (4) adapted to said "n" shape frame to become a door frame assembly, comer connection metal piece (5), U shape reinforced metal (7) and co-extruded soft stripes (6); characterized In that a part of the ends (10) of a side of the frames (1, 2, 3) forming an outside boundary region of said door frame assembly will be cut in order to fit in different door opening preset in various of buildings. 2. The method of adjusting a door frame assembly according to claim 1, characterized In that the foamed plastic frame (1, 2, 3) is co-extruded with a soft gasket (6) in order to ensure the airtight and the water resistant qualities. 3. The method of adjusting a door frame assembly according to claims 1 or 2, characterized in that a groove is formed with the bottom threshold (4) and is inserted with anti-slide strip (9) by co-extrusion technique. 4. The method of adjusting a door frame assembly according to any of claims 1-3, characterized in that an "U"-shape groove (8) is formed at the frame s (1, 2, 3) back and is inserted with the same shaped reinforced metal (7) in order to increase the rigidity and strength of the frame (1, 2, 3). Patentansprüche 1. Verfahren zum Anpassen einer Türzargenanordnung für die Installation in Türöffnungen, wobei die eine Koextrusionstechnik verwendende Türzargenanordnung umfasst: vier aus PVC geschäumte Kunststoff-Türzargen (1, 2, 3, 4) vorgesehen als eine linke Zarge (1), eine obere Zarge (2), eine rechte Zarge (3), welche eine "Π"-Form ausbilden, und eine Bodentürschwelle (4), welche der "Π"-förmigen Zarge angepasst ist, um eine Türzargenanordnung auszubilden, Winkelverbindungs-Metallteile (5), ein U-förmig verstärktes Metall (7) und 3
5 EP 1 186 740 B1 6 koextrudierte, elastische Streifen (6); dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass ein Teil der Enden (10) einer Seite der Zargen (1, 2, 3), welche eine äußere Grenzregion der Türzargenanordnung ausbilden, geschnitten werden, um in unterschiedliche, durch verschiedene Gebäude vorgegebene Türöffnungen eingepasst zu werden. 2. Verfahren zum Anpassen einer Türzargenanordnung nach Anspruch 1, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass die geschäumten Kunststoffzargen (1, 2, 3) mit einer elastischen Dichtung koextrudiert sind, um die luft- und wasserundurchlässige Eigenschaft zu gewährleisten. 3. Verfahren zum Anpassen einer Türzargenanordnung nach Anspruch 1 oder 2, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass eine Nut mit der Bodentürschwelle (4) ausgebildet und mit einer Gleitschutzleiste (9) durch Koextrusionstechnik eingelassen ist. 5 10 15 20 de porte selon la revendication 1, caractérisé en ce que le cadre en plastique expansé (1, 2, 3) est coextrudé avec un joint d étanchéité souple (6) afin de garantir les qualités d étanchéité à l air et de résistance à l eau. 3. Procédé pour ajuster un ensemble d encadrement de porte selon la revendication 1 ou 2, caractérisé en ce qu une rainure est formée avec le seuil inférieur (4) et est insérée avec une bande anti-glissement (9) par une technique de coextrusion. 4. Procédé pour ajuster un ensemble d encadrement de porte selon l une quelconque des revendications 1 à 3, caractérisé en ce qu une rainure en forme de U (8) est formée à l arrière du cadre (1, 2, 3) et est insérée avec la pièce en métal renforcé de même forme (7) afin d augmenter la rigidité et la résistance du cadre (1, 2, 3). 4. Verfahren zum Anpassen einer Türzargenanordnung nach einem der Ansprüche 1 bis 3, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass eine "U"-förmige Nut (8) auf der Zargenrückseite (1, 2, 3) ausgeformt und mit dem verstärkten Metall (7) der selben Form eingelassen ist, um Stabilität und Beanspruchbarkeit der Zarge (1, 2, 3) zu verbessern. 25 30 Revendications 1. Procédé pour ajuster un ensemble d encadrement de porte pour une installation dans des ouvertures de porte, dans lequel ledit ensemble d encadrement de porte, qui utilise la technologie consistant à coextruder des plastiques, comprenant : 35 quatre jambages en plastique expansé de PVC (1, 2, 3, 4) disposés en tant qu élément gauche du cadre (1), élément supérieur du cadre (2), élément droit du cadre (3) qui forment un cadre en forme de «Π» et un seuil inférieur (4) adapté à ladite forme en «Π» afin de constituer un ensemble d encadrement de porte, des pièces de joint d angle en métal (5), des pièces en métal renforcé en forme de U (7) et des bandes souples coextrudées (6) ; caractérisé en ce qu une partie des extrémités (10) d un côté des éléments du cadre (1, 2, 3) formant une zone limite externe dudit ensemble d encadrement de porte est coupée afin de s adapter dans différentes ouvertures de porte préinstallées dans diverses constructions. 40 45 50 55 2. Procédé pour ajuster un ensemble d encadrement 4
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REFERENCES CITED IN THE DESCRIPTION This list of references cited by the applicant is for the reader s convenience only. It does not form part of the European patent document. Even though great care has been taken in compiling the references, errors or omissions cannot be excluded and the EPO disclaims all liability in this regard. Patent documents cited in the description GB 1508581 A [0005] US 4922659 A [0006] US 5291688 A [0007] US 4825610 A, Gasteiger [0008] US 5038538 A, Rozon [0008] US 5845439 A, Hendley [0009] 10