DESCRIPTION

The present invention relates to apparatus for use in positioning a door and particularly, but not exclusively, to apparatus for use in installing a domestic or commercial door in a door frame of a building.

In buildings, the task of hanging a door onto a door frame is an awkward task not least because it is generally necessary to hang a door in an elevated position to allow clearance between an underside of the door and the ground.

In the case of relatively heavy doors such as fire doors, door installation may represent a significant safety hazard, especially for workers in the construction industry who may be required to install multiple doors in a short period of time.

Numerous techniques have been proposed for positioning a door in an elevated position whilst hanging the door. In particular, GB 2278811 discloses a trolley for supporting a door in a substantially upright, elevated position. However, the present applicant has identified the need for an improved apparatus for use in installing a door which is more practical than techniques proposed to date.

In accordance with a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided apparatus for use in positioning a door (e.g. relative to a door frame during installation of the door) , comprising: a body configured to support a door in a substantially upright position when the body is positioned in a first orientation, the body defining a first part comprising ground-engageable wheel means for moveably supporting the body when in the first orientation; wherein the body is rotatable between the first orientation and a second orientation in which the body is configured to support a door in a reclined position, the body further defining a second part comprising second ground-engageable wheel means for moveably supporting the body when in the second orientation.

In this way, apparatus is provided which allows a door having a height greater than its width to be transported to a desired location in a relatively stable and convenient orientation (e.g. with the door resting on one lateral side/edge thereof) , re-orientated at the desired location into an upright position and, once in the upright position, positioned as appropriate. It is envisaged that the apparatus of the present invention will have particular application in door installations where a door must be transported to a door frame in a building and subsequently held in an upright position to allow hanging of the door onto the door frame. The apparatus of the present invention may advantageously allow a single person to transport and fit a heavy door without contravening manual lifting regulations.

In one embodiment, the first part extends in a first direction and the second part extends in a second direction substantially perpendicular to the first direction. The body may be rotatable about an axis substantially perpendicular to the first and second directions in order to move between the first orientation and the second orientation.

The apparatus may further comprise securing means for securely coupling a door to the body. In this way, unwanted movement of a door supported by the body as the body is rotated between the first and second orientations may be avoided. Furthermore, the provision of securing means may allow accurate positioning of a door relative to a door frame when the body is in the first orientation. In one embodiment, the securing means comprises at least one clamping device.

The apparatus may further comprise height adjustment means for adjustably varying elevation of a door supported by the body when the body is in the first orientation. The height adjustment means may be hydraulically or mechanically actuated. In one embodiment, the height adjustment means is configured to move a door supported by the body relative to the body or relative to the - ground- engageable wheel means of the first part. In the case of apparatus comprising securing means, the securing means may be moveable relative to the body. For example, the securing means may be slidably mounted on the second part to move in the second direction when door elevation is varied.

The first and second parts may define limbs of a substantially "L" -shaped frame for supporting a door. The second part may have a length which is substantially greater than the first part (e.g. twice the length or greater) . For example, the first part may have a length in proportion to a width of a typical door to be supported by the body, and the second part may have a length in proportion to a height of a typical door to be supported by the body. Thus, the length of the first part may be in the range 0.5m to 1.0m, and the length of the second part may be in the range 1.0m to 1.5m. The first and second parts may be substantially orthogonal to one another.

The ground-engageable wheel means of the first part may comprise at least one foldable stabiliser (e.g. an arm having a first end pivotally attached to the first part and a second end including a ground-engageable wheel) .

The ground-engageable wheel means of the second part may comprise at least one foldable stabiliser (e.g. an arm having a first end pivotally attached to the second part and a second end including a ground- engageable wheel) .

The first part may be configured to support one side/edge of a door. The second part may be configured to support another side/edge of a door. In one embodiment, the first and second parts may each define a channel for receiving at least one peripheral edge of a door.

The first part may be pivotable relative to the second part to allow the body to be folded for ease of storage when not in use .

The second part may comprise first and second sections, the first section being pivotable relative to the second section.

The second part may further comprise at least one extendable leg for positioning the body in a third orientation between the first and second orientations. In this way, a door supported by the body may be positioned to provide a convenient working position to make alterations to the door (e.g. cut or plane a topmost surface of the door to fit the door frame) .

In accordance with a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided apparatus for use in positioning a door (e.g. relative to a door frame during installation) , comprising a body having: a first part extending substantially in a first direction for supporting one side/edge of a door; and a second part extending substantially in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction for supporting another side/edge of a door, the first part having ground-engageable wheel means configured to facilitate motion of the body in a first orientation {e.g. upright), and the second part- having ground-engageable wheel means configured to facilitate motion of the body in a second orientation (e.g. reclined) following rotation (e.g. through 90°) of the body about an axis perpendicular to the first and second directions.

The first part and/or the second part may comprise securing means for securely coupling a door to the body. The securing means may comprise a clamping device. The first part may comprise height adjustment means for varying elevation of a door supported by the body when in the first orientation. The height adjustment means may be configured to move a door supported by the body relative to the ground-engageable wheel means of the first part. If the second part has securing means for securely coupling a door to the body, the securing means may be slidably mounted on the second part to move in the second direction when door elevation is varied. Other optional features of the second aspect of the invention may be the same as the optional features of the first aspect of the invention.

In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, there is provided apparatus for configuring a door to fit a door frame, comprising: a first elongate part having a surface for engaging an inner peripheral surface of a door frame when placed flush thereagainst ; a second part having at least one level indicator defining a longitudinal axis aligned therewith, the second part being moveable independently of the first part; a releasable locking mechanism for securing the second part in a given position relative to the first part; and a guide member located on the second part and having a planar surface extending (at least in use) perpendicularly to the longitudinal axis of the second part.

The apparatus has been designed to allow a fitter to adapt a conventional door (which is square-edged) to fit a door frame which is not true or skewed in the sense that at least one inner peripheral surface is neither vertical nor horizontal. When the surface of the first part is placed flush against the top inner peripheral surface of the door frame, the position of the second part relative to the first part may be adjusted until the level indicator is truly horizontal. The position of the second part relative to the first part may then be locked by the releasable locking mechanism, preserving a fixed angular relationship between the surface of the first part and the longitudinal axis of the second part even when the apparatus is removed from the door frame. The apparatus is then positioned on the door, with the guide member flush against a lateral side of the door and the surface of the first part inclined across the face of the door. The surface may be used as a guide to mark the face of the door to show how its top edge needs to change to fit the door frame. The procedure may be repeated for each side of the inner peripheral surface of the door frame, with the level indicator registering a vertical orientation rather than a horizontal one.

The releasable locking mechanism may comprise a resilient bias for urging one part away from the other part and a device for limiting movement of one part away from the other part. The movement limiting device may comprise two members spaced along the longitudinal axis, each adjustable independently of the other. In this way, the second part may be secured with the longitudinal axis inclined relative to the surface of the first part. The resilient bias may comprise at least one compression spring, perhaps two compression springs spaced along the longitudinal axis.

The guide member may be movable between a first position where the planar surface is perpendicular to longitudinal axis and a second position where the planar surface is no longer perpendicular to the longitudinal axis. The planar surface of the guide member may be parallel to the longitudinal axis in the second position and may be flush against the second part. Moving the guide member from the first position to the second position may prevent the guide member interfering with the door frame when the apparatus is being used.

An embodiment of the present invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a schematic perspective view of apparatus in accordance with a first embodiment of the present invention in a first orientation;

Figure 2 is a schematic perspective view of the apparatus of Figure 1 supporting a door in an upright position in the first orientation;

Figure 3 is a schematic perspective view - of the apparatus of Figure 1 supporting a door in a reclined position in a second orientation;

Figure 4A is a detailed schematic perspective view of a part of the apparatus of Figure 1 ;

Figure 4B is a detailed view of a section of Figure

4A;

Figure 5 is a schematic perspective view of the apparatus of Figure 1 in a stowed configuration;

Figure 6 illustrates a schematic perspective view of apparatus embodying another aspect of the present invention; and

Figure 7 illustrates a schematic "see-through" view of the apparatus of Figure 6 showing internal detail.

Figures 1-5 show apparatus 10 for use in positioning a door 20 relative to a door frame (not shown) during hanging of door 20 onto the door frame. Apparatus 10 comprises a substantially "L" -shaped metal frame body 30 comprising a first elongate frame part 40 configured to substantially span a width of conventional door 20 when supported by the frame 30, a second elongate frame part 50 extending orthogonally from the first frame part 40 and configured to substantially span a height of conventional door 20 when supported by the frame 20. The second frame part 50 is pivotal relative to the first frame part 40 but held in place by a releasable first locking means (not shown) . When the first locking means is selectively released, the second frame part 50 may be pivoted towards the first frame part 40 for compact storage.

First frame part 40 includes a pair of ground- engageable wheels 42 and a pair of lockable foldable stabilisers 44 each comprising a limb 46 having a first end pivotally attached to the first part 40 and a second end including a ground-engageable castor 48.

Second frame part 50 includes first and second sections 50a and 50b together with second locking means 50c, the first section 50a being pivotable relative to the second section 50b when second locking means 50c is selectively released. Second frame part 50 additionally includes a pair of ground-engageable wheels 52 and a pair of lockable foldable stabilisers 54 each comprising a limb 56 having a first end pivotally attached to the second part 50 and a second end including a ground-engageable castor 58.

First and second frame parts 40, 50 define first and second parts 60a, 60b of a channel 60 for receiving lower and lateral peripheral edges of door 20 when in use frame 30 supports door 20. In addition, first channel part 60a houses height adjustment means 70 comprising a moveable inner channel 72 and a hydraulic/mechanical actuator {not shown) for adjustably varying elevation of door 20 when supported by frame 30. Clamping devices 62, 64 and 66 extending into channel 60 are provided to secure door 20 to the frame 30. Clamping device 62 securely clamps door 20 in position relative to moveable inner channel 72. As shown most clearly in Figure 4B, clamping devices 64 and 66 are moveable relative to the second frame part 50 to allow door 20 to move linearly relative to second frame part 50 when varying the elevation of door 20 using height adjustment means 70.

Apparatus 10 is moveable between a first orientation for supporting door 20 in an upright position (as shown in Figure 2) and a second orientation for supporting door 20 in a horizontal position (as shown in Figure 3). The first orientation is particularly useful when hanging door 20 onto a door frame since the frame 30 fully supports the weight of door 20 during installation. Furthermore, height adjustment means 70 allows the elevation of door 20 to be correctly set to match the door frame. The second orientation is particularly useful when transporting door 20 to a door frame since door 20 is supported in a more stable position than in the first orientation for installation. In addition, the second orientation may be useful for working on door 20 (&-9- to adjust the dimensions of the door to fit the door frame) . In the embodiment depicted, foldable stabilisers 54 additionally include lockable, extendable telescopic legs 59 for positioning the body in a third orientation with the upper edge of door 20 raised relative to the ground.

In use, frame 30 is unfolded from its stowed position shown in Figure 5 and locked into position in the second orientation with foldable stabilisers 54 unfolded and locked into position. Door 20 is then slidably placed onto the apparatus with the lower and leading lateral edges of door 20 received in channel 72 and 60a respectively. Once in position, door 20 is clamped into place using clamping devices 62, 64 and 66. If door 20 is relatively heavy (e.g. a fire door), the initial lifting into the apparatus 10 may require more than one person. Door hinges may be fitted at this stage using the apparatus as a clamped work holder .

With door 20 being firmly secured to frame 30, apparatus 10 is wheeled into position adjacent a door frame . Foldable stabilisers 44 are unfolded and locked in position and the frame 30 lifted (e.g. rotated) into the first orientation whereby door 20 is supported in an upright position for installation. Advantageously, a major portion of the weight of door 20 is carried through the apparatus 10 to the floor. Foldable stabilisers 44 are adjustable through 90 degrees and can be set at various angles horizontally. This allows door 20 to be wheeled in the upright position with one of the stabilisers being adjusted to clear any obstruction such as an adjacent wall of a building. The stabilisers each have a series of lockable positions to allow them to be held at various chosen angles horizontally.

As described above, once positioned adjacent a door frame in the first orientation, the elevation of door 20 may be adjusted by lifting or lowering moveable channel 72. To give adjustment to door 20 whilst clamped in frame 30 in the upright position, clamping devices 62, 64 and 66 have sufficient length of travel to allow the position of door 20 to be adjusted either right or left from vertical.

If it is necessary to adjust the height/size of door 20 by cutting to suit, telescopic legs 59 may be unfolded and locked into an extended position as shown in Figure 1.

Apparatus 10 may then be rotated to a third orientation between the first and second orientations to allow an easy working position to cut the top of door 20. Telescopic legs 59 may also be used as handles to assist positioning of apparatus 10.

When door 20 is fitted and clamping devices 62, 64 and 66 are released, apparatus 10 may be folded for transport as shown in Figure 5.

The above described process may be reversed for the removal of a door from a door frame.

Figure 6 shows apparatus 100 for configuring a door to fit a door frame when the latter is askew. The apparatus 100 includes a first elongate part 110 having an upper surface 112 for engaging an inner peripheral surface of a door frame when placed flush thereagainst . The apparatus 100 also includes a second elongate part 120 having level indicators 122 {e.g. bubble-in- ial type level indicators) which together define a longitudinal axis AA (datum line) aligned therewith. The second part 120 is movable independently of the first part 110 such that the longitudinal axis AA may be inclined relative to upper surface 112. The first part 110 and the second part are held in a given position relative to one another by a releasable locking mechanism 130, which will be described in more detail below. The apparatus 100 further comprises a guide member 140 pivotally mounted on the second part 120. In a first position (as shown), the guide member 140 has a planar surface 142 which extends perpendicularly to the longitudinal axis AA. In the second position (not shown) , the guide member 140 pivots relative to the second part 120 until the planar surface 142 is substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis AA.

As shown in Figure 7 , the releasable locking mechanism 130 comprises a pair of devices 132 spaced along the longitudinal axis AA, each of which is adjustable independently of the other, and each of which is able to limit the separation of the first and second parts 110, 120 in the vicinity thereto. Each device comprises a threaded rod 134 which is anchored in the first part and extends through the second part, and a compression spring 136 mounted on the rod 134 between the two parts 110, 120. A nut 138 is threadably received on each rod 134 and is used to control the distance between the two parts 110, 120.

The apparatus 100 is positioned in a door frame, with the surface 112 against an inner peripheral surface thereof, e.g. the top inner peripheral surface of the door frame. The releasable locking mechanism 130 is adjusted until the level indicators 122 show that the longitudinal axis AA is horizontal. The apparatus 100 is then removed from the door frame, with the releasable locking mechanism 130 preserving an angular relationship between the longitudinal axis AA and the surface 11 . The apparatus 100 is positioned on a door, with the guide member 140 in the first position and flush against one lateral side of the door. By aligning the upper surface 112 with one corner of the door, it is possible to mark the door to show how the upper edge must be trimmed to fit the frame.