Title

A Door Installation Kit

Field

The present application relates generally to doors and to the installation thereof.

Background

Two types of door are generally known in the art, namely slab doors and pre hung doors. A pre-hung door is a door which is supplied hanging on its own frame.

In simple terms, a slab door is a door which comes without a surrounding frame. It is up to the installer to attach the slab door (also known as door blank or door leaf) to an existing door frame or to create an entirely new door frame. The installation of a slab door generally necessitates cutting mortises into the door and frame to accommodate hinges and locks. Although the techniques of the present application may be employed with pre-hung doors, they are more generally suited and intended for doors which are not supplied pre-hung in a frame.

The process of installing a slab door comprises providing a frame and then hanging the door leaf within the frame. A frame typically comprises two jambs which define the sides or stiles of the frame and a head which defines the top of the frame. The first jamb of the frame has a first major surface and a second major surface opposite the first major surface. The second jamb of the frame has a first major surface and a second major surface opposite the first major surface.

Generally, a frame is assembled flat on the ground. Once assembled, the frame may be placed into the desired opening, aligned and fixed in place. Each jamb or stile comprises a longitudinal axis and a transverse axis. Once assembled the jambs (or stiles) will be configured such that their longitudinal axes are arranged vertically. Conventionally, mortises are then formed in the door blank to accommodate the hinges and a closure device thus transforming the door blank to a door leaf. The door leaf may then be positioned within the frame and corresponding locations for mortises for the hinges and the receiver of the closure device are marked on the frame. With the door leaf removed, the mortises may be formed in the frame at the marked locations. Conventionally, the top hinge is fitted so that the top of the hinge is approximately 150mm from the top of the door. The bottom hinge is conventionally positioned so that its bottom is approximately 225mm from the bottom of the door.

All of these steps add to the time and complexity of installing doors. As a result of which, pre-hung doors are advantageous as all of these steps may be performed off-site in a factory set-up where mechanisation and automation is possible.

A disadvantage of the known configuration of doors and frames is that once mortises are formed, the door leaf and frame must be hung in the same relative configuration for which the mortises have been prepared, i.e. opening in or out and swinging left to right or right to left.

Attempts to refurbish a prepared door or frame for a different configuration are time consuming and can result in an unsightly finish on either the door or frame or both. Accordingly, the best approach in such circumstances may be to procure and fit a new door or frame or both. The present application seeks to provide a solution to these problems and others.

Summary

The present application provides a kit of various components including a door leaf, constituent parts of a frame and locks. The various components may be used to advantage individually or in combination as the kit to improve the installation of doors within a frame. The claims presented are directed to a strike plate. Other aspects are set forth below.

In a first aspect, a first door jamb is provided for forming a frame with a second door jamb and a head to frame an opening to receive a door. The first door jamb has a first major surface and a second major surface opposite the first major surface. The first major surface is suitably prepared to receive two or more hinges and the second major surface is suitably prepared to receive two or more hinges or a receiver for a closure device. In this context, prepared means that the surfaces are machined to have cut-out sections to receive the hinge or receiver for the closure device. By having a doorjamb with two opposing surfaces prepared to perform different functions, the doorjamb may be may be assembled in either a first configuration where the first major surface of the first doorjamb faces the door opening or in a second configuration where the second major surface of the first doorjamb faces the door opening. This allows for the advantage of a pre-hung door in that machining may be done in a factory but also allows for the flexibility of making frames on site to

accommodate a particular door orientation.

In the context of a kit, a second door jamb may be provided to co-operate with the first door jamb. As with the first doorjamb, the second jamb has a first major surface and a second major surface opposite the first major surface. In this case, the first major surface may be prepared to receive a receiver for a closure device and the second major surface being prepared to receive two or more hinges or a receiver for a closure device. It will be appreciated that the two door jambs together will be required to provide a frame with hinges on one side of the opening and a locking mechanism on the other side (or hinges in the case of a double door).

A head may be provided for fixing to doorjambs for example as part of the aforementioned kit. The head may be machined to form a plurality of fixing points, each of the fixing points being shaped to receive a fastener for fastening the head to one of the jambs. Corresponding openings may be provided in the jambs to receive the fasteners The fixing points may be formed as blind apertures defined in a first surface of the head. The fixing points may be countersunk apertures. At least two fixing points and suitably three fixing points may be provided as a set for affixing each jamb. In this context, different sets of fixing points may be provided on the head to allow for fixing of doorjambs at different positions to accommodate for different sizes of door opening. A head may be configured to accommodate both double doors and single doors. In the case, where the head is configured to accommodate a double door, the head may be prepared with an opening to receive a closure device.

The application further provides a closure device, which may be provided as part of the kit. The closure device is configured for mounting in an opening of the head. The closure device suitably comprises a body having a first major surface having a bolt opening and an actuator opening defined therein. A bolt positioned in the bolt opening is movable between an extended position when the bolt extends outward from the body and a retracted position where the bolt is retracted to the body. An actuating mechanism for moving the bolt between the extended and retracted positions is responsive to an actuator accessible through either the actuator opening or by means of a magnetic coupling through the door leaf.

The application also provides a door which may be provided on its own or in combination with any of the above components in a kit. The door has

a first major surface, a second major surface opposite the first major surface, with each of the first and second major surfaces having a longitudinal axis and a transverse axis. First and second sides extend between the first and second major surfaces parallel to the longitudinal axis. Third and fourth sides extending between the first and second major surfaces parallel to the transverse axis.

The first side is prepared with a first mortise to receive a first hinge and with a second mortise to receive a second hinge, wherein the first mortise is positioned a first distance from the third side and the second mortise is positioned a second distance from the fourth side, wherein the first and second distances are equal. A rebate may be formed in the first side of the door for receiving a closure device, wherein the rebate is equidistant from the first and second mortises. An aperture may be provided in one or both of the third and fourth sides to receive a bolt of a closure device.

A further aspect provides a strike plate which may be employed in isolation or in combination with one or more of the above as part of a kit. The advantage of the disclosed strike plate is that whilst it is shaped not to require the edge of a jamb to be cut to accommodate the striking part of the plate. The strike plate comprises a receiver surface having an aperture defined therein for receiving a closure device. A strike surface is provided for engaging with a closure device as a door is closed. An intermediate surface extends between the strike surface and the receiver surface. To avoid the need to cut the door jamb to receive the intermediate surface, the intermediate surface is raised a distance from the receiver surface. The strike plate has a fixing surface opposite the receiver surface for fixing in a door jamb with the strike plate having a thickness defined between the receiver surface and the fixing surface. Suitably, the distance raised is substantially equal to the thickness.

A further component which may be provided in isolation or as part of a kit is a positioning device for positioning a doorjamb in place. The positioning device may also act to fix the doorjamb in place. The positioning device comprises a first part having a body shaped to be received within an aperture defined in a first surface of the door jamb. The first part having an engagement feature for engaging with the doorjamb to retain the first part in situ in the door jamb. The body has a threaded aperture defined therein for receiving a co-operating thread of a second part. The second part in turn has a generally flat first end for abutting a fixing surface and a second end shaped to receive a fastening tool, wherein the relative distance between the doorjamb and fixing surface may be adjusted by relative rotation between the first and second parts which may be performed by the fastening tool accessing the second part through the first.

The application also extends to the following series of numbered statements: 1. A kit for installing a door, the kit comprising a frame for framing an opening to receive a door, the frame comprising a first jamb and a second jamb, the first jamb having a first major surface and a second major surface opposite the first major surface, the first major surface being prepared to receive two or more hinges and the second major surface being prepared to receive two or more hinges or a receiver for a closure device, wherein the frame may be assembled in either a first configuration where the first major surface of the first door jamb faces the second jamb or in a second configuration where the second major surface of the first doorjamb faces the second jamb.

2. A kit in accordance with statement 1 , wherein the second jamb has a first major surface and a second major surface opposite the first major surface, the first major surface being prepared to receive a receiver for a closure device and the second major surface being prepared to receive two or more hinges or a receiver for a closure device, wherein in the first configuration the first major surface of the second door jamb faces the first jamb and in the second configuration the second major surface of the second doorjamb faces the first jamb.

4. A kit in accordance with any preceding statement further comprising a head for fixing to the first and second jambs.

5. A kit in accordance with any statement 4 wherein the head is machined to form a plurality of fixing points, each of the fixing points being shaped to receive a fastener for fastening the head to one or the jambs.

6. A kit according to statement 5, wherein the fixing points comprise blind apertures defined in a first surface of the head.

7. A kit according to statement 6, wherein the fixing points are countersunk apertures.

8. A kit according to any one of statements 5 to 7, wherein different sets of fixing points are provided on the head to allow for fixing of door jambs at different positions to accommodate for different sizes of door opening.

9. A kit according to any one of statements 5 to 8 wherein the head is configured to accommodate both double doors and single doors. 10. A kit according to any preceding statement, wherein the head is prepared with an opening to receive a closure device.

11. A kit according to statement 10, further comprising a closure device for mounting in the opening of the head, wherein the closure device comprises a body having a first surface having a bolt opening and an actuator opening defined therein;

a bolt positioned in the bolt opening and movable between an extended position when the bolt extends outward from the body and a retracted position where the bolt is retracted to the body;

an actuating mechanism for moving the bolt between the extended and retracted positions, the actuating mechanism having an actuator accessible through either the actuator opening or directly through the door leaf itself, in order to allow a user to operate the actuating mechanism.

12. A kit according to statement 11 , wherein the secondary closure device is actuated through means of magnetic components.

13. A kit according to any preceding statement further comprising:

a door having

a first major surface;

a second major surface opposite the first major surface, each of the first and second major surfaces having a longitudinal axis and a transverse axis, first and second sides extending between the first and second major surfaces parallel to the longitudinal axis

third and fourth sides extending between the first and second major surfaces parallel to the transverse axis;

wherein the first side is prepared with a first mortise to receive a first hinge and with a second mortise to receive a second hinge, wherein the first mortise is positioned a first distance from the third side and the second mortise is positioned a second distance from the fourth side, wherein the first and second distances are equal. 14. A kit according to statement 13, wherein a rebate is formed in the first side of the door for receiving a closure device, wherein the rebate is equidistant from the first and second mortises.

15. A kit according to statement 13 or statement 14, wherein an aperture is provided in each of the third and fourth sides to receive a bolt of a closure device.

16. A kit according to any preceding statement, further comprising a strike plate for installing in a doorjamb, wherein the strike plate comprises a receiver surface having an aperture defined therein for receiving a closure device;

a strike surface for engaging with a closure device as a door is closed;

an intermediate surface extending between the strike surface and the receiver surface, wherein the intermediate surface is raised a distance from the receiver surface.

17. A kit according to statement 16, wherein the strike plate comprises a fixing surface opposite the receiver surface for fixing in a door jamb, the strike plate having a thickness defined between the receiver surface and the fixing surface, wherein the distance raised is substantially equal to the thickness.

18. A kit according to any preceding statement comprising a positioning device for positioning a doorjamb in place, the positioning device comprising a first part having a body shaped to be received within an aperture defined in a first surface of the door jamb, the first part having means for engaging with the door jamb to retain the first part in situ in the doorjamb, the body having a threaded aperture defined therein for receiving a co-operating thread of a second part,

the second part having a generally flat first end for abutting a fixing surface and a second end shaped to receive a fastening tool, wherein the relative distance between the doorjamb and fixing surface may be adjusted by relative rotation between the first and second parts. Brief Description of The Drawings

The present application will now be described with reference to the

accompanying drawings in which:

Figure 1 illustrates an example of a conventional arrangement of a door leaf and frame known in the art;

Figure 2a illustrates an elevation view of first and second sides (minor surfaces) of a door leaf showing a primary closure device mortice and hinge mortices in accordance with a first aspect of the present application;

Figure 2b illustrates elevation views of obverse and reverse sides of a jamb of a frame in accordance with a second aspect of the present application;

Figure 2c illustrates a perspective view and a plan view of the jamb of Figure 2b;

Figure 3 illustrates a plan and elevation view of a door leaf showing a primary closure device mortice on one of the stiles of the door leaf and secondary closure device mortice on both ends of the door leaf in accordance with a third aspect of the present application;

Figure 4a illustrates an exploded perspective view of a door frame in

accordance with an aspect of the present application, wherein the door frame is being used in a double door configuration;

Figure 4b illustrates an exploded perspective view of the door frame of Figure 4a wherein the door frame is being cut down to size to be used in

single door configuration;

Figure 5a and 5b illustrate further exploded perspective views of the door frame of Figures 4a and 4b;

Figure 6a illustrates a plan view of a head in accordance with the present application wherein the head has been marked with cut lines and the head comprises multiple sets of fixing points such that it can accommodate a range of door sizes and configurations;

Figure 6b illustrates a plan view of the obverse side of the head of Figure 6a; Figure 6c illustrates an elevation view of the head of Figures 6a and 6b; Figure 7 illustrates plan and elevation views of a first aspect of a secondary closure device when the device is in an engaged position;

Figure 8a illustrates two perspective views of the secondary closure device of Figure 7 when the device is in the engaged position;

Figure 8b illustrates a plan and elevation view of the secondary closure device of Figure 7 and 8 when the device is in the engaged position;

Figure 9a illustrates perspective, plan and elevation views of a closure body of a secondary closure device according to an alternative aspect of the present application;

Figure 9b illustrates perspective, plan and elevation views of a magnetic bolt in an engaged configuration which interacts with the corresponding closure body of the secondary closure device of Figure 9a;

Figure 9c illustrates perspective, plan and elevation views of a magnetic bolt of the secondary closure device of Figures 9b in a disengaged configuration;

Figure 10 illustrates several views of a frame in accordance with an aspect of the present application wherein one stile comprises hinge mortices on both major surfaces and the other stile comprises receiver mortices on both major surfaces;

Figure 11 illustrates the frame of Figure 10 such that it is clear that for a single door frame; one of the frame stiles comprises hinge mortices on both major faces and the other frame stile comprises receiver mortices on both major surfaces, whereas, for a double door frame; all the stiles comprise hinge mortices on all their major surface;

Figures 12a, 12b and 12c illustrate a different views of a strike plate in accordance with aspects present application;

Figure 13 illustrates positioning devices in accordance with a further aspect of the present application; and

Figure 14 and 15 illustrate views of a specific example of a strike plate with exemplary measurements expressed in mm. Detailed Description of The Drawings

In describing the present application, brief reference will be made to

conventional doors, an example of which is shown in Figure 1 , from which the differences will be explained and become clear. A conventional door comprises a door frame (10) and a door leaf (20) hung on the frame. The door frame comprises two vertical jambs (2) providing the sides of the frame and a horizontal head (4) providing the top of the frame. The vertical jambs and horizontal head together define an opening for receiving the door leaf (20). Optionally, a sill (6) may be provided at the bottom end of the jamb (2). Each of the jambs (2a, 2b) has two major surfaces (50, 52). The first major surface (50) faces the opening in which the door leaf (20) will be positioned. The second major surface (52) is on the obverse side of the jamb (2) and in situ the second major surface (52) faces the wall to which the frame (10) is fixed.

The door leaf (20) comprises a substantially rectangular blank having a first major surface (54) and a second major surface (56). Each of the first and second major surfaces having a longitudinal axis and a transverse axis. Once installed, the major surfaces (54, 56) define the front and back faces of the door leaf (20) which sits in the opening defined by the frame (10). Four minor surfaces (60, 62, 64, 66) extend between the major surfaces (54, 56). Once installed in the frame (10), two obverse minor surfaces define the top and bottom surfaces (60, 62) of the door leaf (20) and the remaining two obverse minor surfaces (64, 66) define the vertical sides (64, 66) of the door leaf (20). One of the minor surfaces (64, 66) is prepared with a first mortise to receive a first hinge (14) and with a second mortise to receive a second hinge (14), wherein the first mortise is positioned at a first distance from the top or bottom minor surface (60, 62) and the second mortise is positioned at a second distance from the remaining minor surface (60, 62). In the preferred aspect, the first distance and the second distance are equal. The areas on the door leaf (20) adjacent to and forming the vertical sides are termed door stiles (8). The areas adjacent to and forming the top and bottom surfaces (60, 62) of the door leaf (20) are termed rails (12).

Doors may be installed in a wide variety of configurations and may, for example, be either a single door leaf (20) in a frame (10) or may be a set of more than one door leaf (20), e.g. a double door, in a frame (10). In a single door configuration, one of the stiles (8) of the door leaf (10) is connected using two or more hinges (14) to a first doorjamb, which is referred to as the hinge jamb (2a). Conventionally, mortises are formed to receive the hinges (14) on each of the door leaf (20) and the hinge jamb (2a). The second door jamb is commonly referred to as the latch jamb (2b). The latch jamb (2b) may be mortised to receive a latch receiver, strike plate or similar feature for engaging with a primary closure device (16). The primary closure device (16) may be in the form of, for example, a latch or mortise lock on the door leaf (20). The primary closure device (16) is generally positioned vertically below the centre of the door leaf (20) between the top and bottom surfaces (60, 62) of the door. The hinges (14) and the primary closure device (16) may typically be made of metal or other high strength material.

An additional mortice is required to be formed in side of the door leaf (20)

(minor surface (64) to house a lock mechanism of a primary closure device which co-operates with the latch receiver or similar feature on the frame. The mortice is typically positioned at a distance of approximately 1 m from the bottom of the frame.

As mentioned above in the background section, once the door leaf (20) and the frame (10) have been mortised for hinges (14) or the primary closure device (16) or both, the door must be hung accordingly, or further mortices cut and existing mortices repaired or filled. Generally, handles, will be positioned on the major surfaces (50, 52) of the door leaf (20) to allow operation of the primary closure deice (16).

The present application provides a series of different elements which may be provided together in a kit or individually as parts to allow installation of a door leaf (20) and frame (10). These elements will now be described.

In Figure 2a, a first element of the present application is shown in the form of a door leaf (20). In this door leaf, first and second (top and bottom) hinge mortices (15) are spaced equidistant on a stile from their respective ends of the door. Where present, a central hinge mortice (15) is positioned centrally between the top and bottom hinges. Alternatively, if there are four hinges then the third and fourth hinges are similarly spaced equidistant from their respective ends of the door. As a result, the arrangement of the hinges along a stile are generally symmetric allowing for a door to be flipped vertically without affecting the height of hinges relative to the frame.

Similarly, the mortice (17) which is cut for the primary closure device is positioned equidistance from the ends of the door leaf on the opposite stile (8) to the hinge mortices. At the same time, in one aspect the receiver is shaped to correspond to the shape of the closure device so that it may fit within the same mortice.

Additionally, an opening (22), which may for example be a circular hole or slot, may also be provided on both the top and the bottom (60, 62) of the door leaf (20). This may be employed for receiving a secondary closure device (28) described in greater detail below.

The longitudinally symmetrical positioning of the mortices means that door leaf (20) may be hung upside down without requiring the cutting of new mortices in the door leaf. Accordingly, a single door with pre-cut mortices may be positioned within a frame to open in or out or from left to right or right to left as required. As a result, when this configuration of mortices is employed in a door leaf, a door may be hung or re-hung in a variety of different hanging

configurations within a frame without requiring the cutting of new mortices and repairing of pre-cut mortices in the door leaf.

Figure 3 again shows a simplified view of an elevation and plan view of the door leaf (20) wherein the apertures (22) in the top and bottom of the door leaf (20) are highlighted.

It will be appreciated however that with a conventional frame, that a frame would require to be morticed and repaired when reconfiguring a door.

Exemplary door jambs which avoid this requirement are shown in Figure 2b and 2c. These may be configured to co-operate with a suitable head to provide a door frame (an exemplary one is described below).

More particularly, one or both jambs may be configured to have two different configurations depending on how they are assembled in the door frame. Thus, as shown in Figure 2b, a jamb is presented having a first major surface 101 in which a plurality of mortices are pre-cut for receiving hinges. This first major surface is employed in a first configuration, i.e. to receive the hinges, when the jamb functions a hinge jamb.

A second major surface 102 opposite the first major surface has a mortice cut to receive a strike plate or similar latch receiver. The second major surface is employed in a second configuration, when the jamb functions as a lock jamb. The jamb may be assembled in a door frame, with the orientation of the first and second major faces with respect to the door opening (or opposite jamb) based on the required configuration.

The result of this is that a jamb is pre-cut to be installed in one of two ways. This means that a frame may be assembled as required on-site rather than being pre-determ ined as would be the case in a pre-hung door or requiring morticing on site as would typically be the case in making a frame for a slab door.

The top surface of the jamb may be pre-drilled with holes 103 to receive screw or similar fixings from the head. Alternatively, or in combination with screw fixings, other fixings may be employed, e.g. dowels to facilitate connecting the jamb to the head. Similarly, holes 104 may be pre-drilled into first and second major surfaces of the jamb to facilitate fixing of the frames to the wall surrounding a door opening. These holes may be countersunk or recessed.

To assemble the doorjambs in a frame, a head is required. Accordingly, a head may be provided which matches the features of the jambs and door described above. Advantageously, the present application provides a head which may be configured to be employed within a variety of different openings.

In one arrangement, the head may be configured to be employed to

accommodate several different widths of door openings. In another

arrangement, the head may be configured to accommodate either a single door or double door.

A head will now be described in the context of providing both configurations with reference to Figures 4a, 4b, 5a and 5b.

The head comprises outer fixing points (26a) are positioned at both ends of the head (26a). The length of the head may be selected so as to accommodate a double opening (i.e. two door width). The alignment of the jambs with the head to accommodate a double opening is shown in Figure 4a.

Additional fixing points 26b may be positioned centrally to accommodate fixing of a door jamb for a single door opening as shown in Figure 4b. In this arrangement, the surplus part of the door head may be cut-off.

The fixing points in the head 26a, 26b may be blind apertures, which are closed on the door opening facing surface of the head. The advantage of using blind apertures is that if not used, they are invisible to users in the installed frame. To avoid interference between screw fixings and surrounding surfaces to the head, the apertures may be countersunk. In double door configurations, a secondary closure device mortice (32) is also provided at an intermediate position between one of the sets of outer fixing points (26a) and the set of central fixing points (26b). Only two sets of fixing points (26a, 26b) are required to fix the head (4) to the jambs (2), with one set of fixing points (26) being required at each end of the head (4). The provision of the extra set of fixing points (26a, 26b) and the provision of the secondary closure device mortice (32) means that the head (4) as provided is suitable for use in a double door configuration or a single door configuration.

The head (4) is suitable for use in a single door configuration as its design incorporates a pre-marked cut-line (30) for cutting along a transverse axis on the head (4), thus, allowing for the shortening of the length of the head (4) whilst retaining two sets of fixing points (26a, 26b). By cutting along the pre-marked cut-line (30), the section of the head (4) comprising second outer fixing mortices (26a) and the section of the head (4) comprising a secondary closure device mortice (32) are cut away and the resultant product is a head (4) comprising two sets of fixing mortices (26a and 26b). A secondary closure device (28) may be required for a double door as it is used to lock a follower door leaf in place while a main door leaf is locked in place to the follower door leaf through a primary closure device (16). In a single door configuration, the single door is locked in place through means of a primary closure device (16), part of which is comprised in the door leaf (20) and the other part of which is comprised in the latch jamb (2b). A secondary closure device (28) is thus not required for a single door.

Thus, as shown in Figure 5a, double and single door configurations are shown. Figure 5b represents a single door configuration and illustrates how the door jambs may be reconfigured to accommodate a hinge (per Figure 5a) or lock receiver (per Figure 5b).

A further addition to this aspect can be seen in Figure 6a, 6b and 6c wherein additional outer fixing points (26a) are pre-machined (e.g. by drill) at various positions to cover a variety of standard door widths such as 24 inch x 78inch, 26 x 78inch, 28 x 78inch, 30 x 78inch, 32 inch x 80inch and 34 inch x 80 inch. Having a head pre-machined in this way, means that the same head may be employed to accommodate a plurality of different door widths. A surface of the head may be pre-marked to indicate to a user where to cut for different door sizes or configurations (single/double door).

Figure 6a illustrates a plan view of an obverse side of the head (4) according to one aspect. The plan view illustrates the side of the head (4) which faces the opening in which the frame (10) is being fixed - thus the secondary closure device (28) is hidden in this view (indicated by broken lines) and the fixing points (26a, 26b) are relatively large. Figure 6b illustrates the reverse side of the head (4) which faces the minor surfaces (60, 62, 64, 66) of the door leaf (20) - thus the secondary closure device mortice (32) is in view and the fixing points (26a, 26b) are relatively small. Figure 6c illustrates an elevation view of a cross section through a longitudinal axis of the head (4).

Figure 7, 8 and 9 illustrates various views of a first aspect of a secondary closure device (28). This secondary closure device is for locking the static leaf of a double door in situ as would be commonplace.

It will be appreciated that in the prior art the common means of locking a second door (static leaf) in a two door configuration is to position at least one dead bolt style device on or within the static door leaf (20) and create a corresponding hole or slot in the head (and optionally the sill (6)) of the door frame (10) to receive a dead bolt.

Whilst, such a configuration may be employed with aspects of the present application, it may require additional on-site machining of mortices in the door leaf (20) and head (4). Once machined, the orientation of the head (4) and door leaf (20) would be fixed meaning that reconfiguration of a double door would require re-work and repair. To obviate this problem, a further aspect provides a novel closure device which will now be described.

This mechanism of this closure device is intended for installing in the head or sill of the frame rather than within or on a door leaf.

Instead, an aperture for the receiver for the closure device is formed in the top/bottom edge of the door as required referenced above in the context of Figures 2a and 3.

The closure device (28) may be regarded as a secondary closure device in a double door since it only acts to lock a static leaf and similarly may only be actuated when the swinging leaf is open.

The closure device comprises a body (122). The body may be in the form of a plate. The plate may be substantially rectangular having rounded or straight corners. A first major surface 126 of the plate is intended for mounting to a head or sill. Appropriate mounting holes 124 may be provided for example at opposite ends of the first major surface extending through to an opposing second major surface 128.

A bolt aperture is defined in the plate extending between the first and second surfaces to accommodate a bolt or similar feature of the locking mechanism. In use, the bolt has a locked position where it extends and sits proud of the second major surface and an un-locked position where it is retracted within or is flush with the second major surface.

A further opening is defined in the plate to allow a user access to the trigger (latch) of the actuating mechanism through the second major surface. The trigger is connected by other elements of the actuating mechanism to the bolt. The trigger is movable between a locked position and an unlocked position with the other elements of the actuating mechanism causing a corresponding movement of the bolt.

It will be appreciated that this differs from most locking mechanisms in that access to the trigger and actuation of the lock are both through the same major surface. This is possible, because in use, the bolt is positioned above/below the static leaf and the trigger is positioned above the opening for the swinging leaf. In contrast, most locking mechanisms for a static leaf are positioned within a door and access to the latch is through the side of the door with the bolt coming out the top/bottom surface of the door.

The latch may be a sliding mechanism where the latch may be slideably coupled to the body, so that the latch may be slid relative to the body from the locked position to an unlocked position. However, in the exemplary

arrangement shown, the trigger is hingedly coupled by a pin to the plate, allowing the trigger to be rotated (flipped) from a first (locked) position where it is flush or recessed within the second major surface to an intermediate position where it is proud of the second major surface (shown in Figure 8b). From the intermediate position, it can be rotated to a second (unlocked position) where it is also flush or recessed within the second major surface.

The remaining elements of the exemplary actuating mechanism comprise an arm which is coupled to the latch and moves in response to movements of the latch. The arm in turn may be coupled to a cam with teeth for engaging corresponding teeth formed the bolt, so that a longitudinal motion of the arm is converted to a transverse motion of the bolt.

The closure device is suitably configured to be symmetrical so that either of two doors may be the static or swinging door simply by orientation of the closure device in the corresponding mortice opening in the head.

The trigger of the closure device is sized to be suitable for manipulation by a user (i.e. the user can simply use their fingers to move the trigger (34) between the locked and unlocked positions. In Figure 7 the secondary closure device (28) is engaged. In Figure 8a and 8b, the secondary closure device (28) is partially engaged. Although the plate is illustrated as being in the approximate shape of a rounded rectangle - it may take the form of any other symmetrical shape such as a rectangle, ellipse etc. An alternative aspect of a secondary closure device (28) for locking a static leaf is provided in Figure 9a, 9b and 9c. In this alternative aspect the secondary closure device (28) comprises a magnetic concealed flush bolt (38). The outer perimeter of the secondary closure device (28) will be similar in size and shape to the previous aspect of the secondary closure device (28) such that it fits into a similar mortice (32) in the head (4) or in the sill (6) (or in floor if a sill is not used). The advantage of using a magnet is that no actuating trigger is required to be provided on the side surface of a door.

As shown in Figure 9a, the secondary closure device (28) comprises a closure body (18) comprising two niches (19, 21 ). In the top secondary closure device (28) (located at the top of the door leaf (20)), the first niche (19) comprises a magnet (23) at its rear side and is configured to receive and hold a magnetic bolt (38). The second niche (21 ) also comprises a magnet (25) and is configured to receive and hold a loose magnet when it is not needed to manipulate the secondary closure device (28). In the bottom secondary closure device (28) (located at the bottom of the door), the first niche and second niche do not need to comprise a magnet as gravity will hold the magnetic bolt and the loose magnet in place until a force acts on the magnetic bolt (38), pulling the magnetic bolt (38) upwards into the casing (46) which is housed in the door leaf (20) when the magnetic bolt (38) is in the disengaged position. The force required to move the magnetic bolt (38) is supplied when the loose magnet is removed from the second niche (21 ) and when it is manipulated around the major surface (54, 56) or the outer minor surface (64) of the door leaf (20) in the vicinity of the engaged magnetic bolt (38).

Both the top and bottom secondary closure devices (28) comprise a closure receiver plate (48) overlays the closure body (18). The closure receiver plate (48) comprises two apertures (48a, 48b) which are dimensioned to fit the loose magnet and the magnetic bolt (38) respectively, such that the loose magnet and the magnetic bolt (38) may travel through the closure receiver plate (48) and be releasably held within the closure body (18) beneath the closure receiver plate (48). The closure receiver plate (48) ensures that the magnetic bolt (38) has a tight dimensional fit with the closure body (18) when it is in the engaged position, thus ensuring that there is no movement of the door leaf (20) when the door leaf (20) is locked in position with the secondary closure device (28).

The magnetic bolt (38) of the present aspect is housed in a, preferably plastic, casing (46). The casing (46) is substantially tubular in shape. The magnetic bolt (38) is free to move up and down within the casing (46) however a, preferable circumferential insert, at one end of the magnetic bolt (38) prevents the magnetic bolt (38) from disengaging completely from the casing (46). The casing (46) which is employed at the bottom of the door leaf (20) must additionally comprise a magnet in order to hold the magnetic bolt (38) in place within the casing (46) when the magnetic bolt (38) is not in the engaged position. The magnetic bolt (38) may feature an end stop.

It is clear from the description above that the two secondary closure devices (28) (on the head (4) and on the sill (6)) of the current aspect will differ slightly from each other in order to account for the difference in gravitation effect which each one will experience due to their respective positions and orientations.

The secondary closure device (28) of the present application requires the use of several magnets are follows:

In the top secondary closure device:

- Loose handheld magnet

- Magnet (23) in the first niche of the closure body (18)

- Magnet (25) in the second niche of the closure body (18)

- Magnet in distal tip of the in the magnetic bolt (38)

In the bottom secondary closure device:

- Loose handheld magnet - Magnet in distal tip of magnetic bolt (38)

- Magnet in proximal tip of magnetic bolt (38)

- Magnet in proximal end of casing (46).

In addition to the above lists, additional magnets may be employed as considered necessary. Additional magnets may be employed for a variety of reasons including easing the design or manufacturing burden by reducing the amount of different component types in the system. In order to ensure that that magnetic bolt (38) can be easily manipulated, the loose magnet must be the strongest magnet of all the magnets in the system. Thereafter, the magnets at the back of the niches (25, 23) in the top secondary closure device (28) and the magnet at the proximal end of the casing (46) in the bottom secondary closure device (28) can all be of any lesser magnetic value which is less than that of the loose magnet.

Figures 10 illustrates a second aspect of the present application wherein there is provided a door frame (10) with the features as described above with mortices for the hinges (15) and a mortice (17) for the primary closure device (16). In this second aspect the obverse and reverse sides of the latch jamb (2b) and the hinge jamb (2a) also comprise additional mortices for the hinges (14) and primary closure device (16), respectively, wherein the jambs (2) can be rotated 180 degrees about their longitudinal axis such that the inner side of the jamb (2) becomes the outer side and the outer side of the jamb (2) become the inner side. In effect this means that each jamb (2) comprises identical mortices on both major surfaces (50, 52) and two distinct jambs (one with hinge mortices (15) and one with a primary closure device mortice (17)) are required, along with a head (4), in order to create a frame (10). It will be appreciated that in this configuration the major surface with the mortices which is not used is covered from view by the body of jamb (2) itself and thus does not impair the visual appearance of the door frame (10), even when the door leaf (20) is in an open position.

It is clear that two different types of jamb (2) major surfaces are required for the frame (10) of the single and the double door configuration. The frame (10) of single door must comprise a jamb (2) comprising hinge mortices (15) and a jamb comprising primary closure device mortice (17), as the primary closure device (16) in the door leaf (20) interacts directly with the jamb (2).

However, the frame (10) of the double door configuration only needs to comprise jambs (2) comprising hinge mortices (15) as the primary closure device (16) interacts directly with the second door (20) leaf and thus it is the second door leaf (20) which must comprise the other mortice for the closure device (16). This point is illustrated in the enlarged sections A and B of Figure 10.

It is widely known in the art that it would not be possible to simply turn a jamb (2) upside down in order to change the orientation of the door leaf (20) as mortices in the jamb (2) are actually slightly longer on the bottom than the top when the length from the centre of the central hinge is considered. This extra length is required in order to take account of the sill (6) which sits under the door leaf (20) and the clearance tolerance of the door leaf (20) which is typically in the range of 6mm to 12mm.

Thus turning the jamb (2) upside down would result in the door leaf (20) sitting too low on the frame (10) therefore inhibiting the fitting and opening of the door leaf (20) and additionally as the door leaf (20) would also sit too low on the frame (10), there would also be an unwanted gap at the top of the door leaf (20) between the door leaf (20) and the head (4) of the frame (10). An aspect of the present application overcomes this issue, as the jambs (2) may be provided with a packer. The full length of the doorjamb (2) is thus made up of the length of the jamb (2) and the length of the packer combined. The previous aspects of the jamb (2) of the present application may already comprise fixing holes (corresponding with the fixing point (26) on the head). The packer also comprises fixing holes on two obverse sides of the packer. The packer can thus be placed at the bottom of the jamb (2) (in practical terms this would mean that, in use, it is between the sill (6) and the jamb (2)). This packer configuration means that the jamb (2) upon which the mortices are asymmetrically positioned in the longitudinal axis can be rotated vertically (turned upside down as it were) and due to the repositioning of the packer from one end of the jamb (2) to the other end of the jamb (2) the asymmetrical position of the mortices can be preserved. Thus, the jambs (2) and the door leaf (20) can both be rotated vertically in order to change the direction in which the door leaf (20) opens (for example inwards instead of outwards or vice versa).

The teachings of the present application therefore propose a new way of providing a frame (10) with at least one corresponding door leaf (20) which is suitable to accommodate a variety of door sizes, orientations (which way the door pivots) and configurations (such as single or double doors). Due to the adaptability of the door system of the current application, in situations where a large number of doors are required (for example in group housing

developments or large building projects), the jambs (2) or door leaf (20), or any combination thereof, of the current application will be particularly advantageous as they allow the contractor to achieve savings in their spares philosophy. For example, instead of requiring five different spare heads (4) for five different size doors, one spare head (4) is now required in order to ensure that a spare head (4) is available for each size. The head (4) can be cut down to size in

accordance with the cut-line marking (30) provided on the head (4) to

accommodate whatever size is required. In addition, any changes in design or mistakes in the material take off lists can be rectified without the need to procure more materials which will again save the contractor additional time and money. As all the mortices are cut prior to delivery of the doors, the process of hanging the door leaf (20) is far less vulnerable to human error. Thus, substantial efficiencies are generated in terms of time, quality and cost.

At the same time, the positioning of the mortices in the manner described means that multiple different configurations are possible whether the door is a single door, or used as lazy leaf or active leaf of a double door.

The inner part of a door frame (10), also known as the major surface of the jambs (2) and the head (4) which face in the direction of the door leaf (20), often features a step on the side of the frame (10) through which the door leaf (20) does not pivot. Such a step may be helpful in preventing the passage of noise, light, dust etc through the door frame (10) from one room to the next and is particularly useful when the dimensional tolerance between the fit of the door leaf (20) and the frame (10) is large (for example when there is a substantial gap between the door leaf (20) and the frame (10). The step in the frame (10) can be achieved by fixing slats to the inside of the frame (10) once the frame (10) and door leaf (20) have been fitted. In order to ensure that the step is correctly positioned, and the fitting of the step is as efficient as possible, a further aspect wherein additional slots are provided on the inside surfaces of the frame (10), which correspond to slots on the exterior of the slats, is envisaged.

A disk or suitably shaped wedge can then be fitted to the slots on the frame (10) and the slats can be placed such that the slots on the slats also line up with the disks or wedges. Thus, the slats can be fitted in place extremely efficiently without the need for any additional tools. It will be appreciated that rather than a slat and disk, the same concept could be applied wherein the frame (10) or the slats feature any form of protrusion and the slats or frame, respectively, feature a corresponding receiver.

Figure 12a -c illustrate a further aspect of the application in the form of a strike plate (40). Conventional strike plates comprise a flat planar receiver surface which is longitudinal in nature. Toward either end of the longitudinal surface, there is typically a fixing aperture (screw holes) defined therein to accommodate a fixing means (for example screws). One or more apertures are defined generally along the longitudinal axis to accommodate the moving part of a closure device (for example a latch bolt). In a conventional strike plate, a strike surface extends in a direction transverse to the longitudinal axis of the receiver surface. The strike surface is shorter in length than the receiver surface. There may be an intermediate surface which co-planar with and extends from the receiver surface to the strike surface.The strike surface extends from an edge of the receiver in a direction transverse to the longitudinal axis. As the strike surface extends away from the edge, the strike surface curves away from the receiver surface. The purpose of the strike surface is to co-operate with and urge the moving part of a closure device to recede as a door is closed.

The strike plate of the present application generally serves the same purpose as a traditional strike plate.

In operation, the strike plate (40) is attached to the major surface (50, 52) of a door jamb (2) (or to a leaf of a double door) which faces towards the door leaf (20).

As with a traditional strike plate, the strike plate of the present application provides a curved strike surface for urging the moving part of a closure device into a door to recede as the door is closed. As with a conventional strike plate, the strike surface curves in a first direction x, which when installed would be towards the doorjamb. It will be appreciated that the curved strike surface (40b) of the strike plate (40) is thus the first surface which the primary closure device (16) strikes when the door leaf (20) is being closed into the frame (10). The receiver surface (40a) is connected to the strike surface (40b) through an intermediate surface (40c). The intermediate surface is generally planar in nature. The width of the intermediate surface is suitably greater than 10mm. An exemplary value for the width of the intermediate section is 13mm. The width of the receiver surface is suitably between 15mm and 25mm. More suitably, the width is between 18 and 21 mm. The intermediate surface is generally parallel to the receiver surface. A small curved, inclined or perpendicular surface 40d connects the receiver surface to the intermediate surface. As a result, the intermediate surface is raised relative to the receiver surface in a second direction which is opposite the first direction x. As such the plane of the intermediate surface may be said to be offset from the receiver surface (40a). The strike plate (40) is generally made of a durable material, such as metal, and its function is to protect the latch jamb (2b) of the frame (10) from the repeated striking of the primary closure device (16) as it reaches the proximity of the frame (10). The strike plate (40) also guides the primary closure device (16) towards a central aperture and ensures that the closing of the door leaf (20) does not result in a jarring effect for the user. An advantage of the present application, is that the receiver surface (40a) is generally shaped to match the outline of the surface of the corresponding closure device. At the same time, the positioning of the fixing holes in the receiver surface may be positioned to align with those of the corresponding closure device. The advantage of this approach is that a mortice may be cut in the door which will match the outline of either the receiver surface or the closure device. Accordingly, a door can be reconfigured as required. For example, in a double door, a lazy leaf can be swapped with the active leaf by swapping over the closure device from one door to the other and similarly the strike plate. Although, it will be appreciated that if present a closure device in the top of the frame for holding the lazy leaf may also need to be turned around.

It will be appreciated that in a normal strike plate, it is normally necessary to cut out a tongue beside the mortice to accommodate the intermediate/strike surface. The present application overcomes this and allows for a door to be reconfigured with ease by avoiding the need for cutting out a tongue.

As illustrated in Figure 12b, the strike plate (40) of the present application comprises an additional feature on the form of a step in the intermediate surface of the strike plate (40) such that the strike plate (40) is divided into two different levels. In using a strike plate (40) which comprises two different levels, the receiver surface (40a) of the strike plate (40) may be morticed into the major surface (50,52) of the latch jamb (2b). The mortice is located in the centre of the latch jamb (2b) on the major surface (50,52) when the width of the latch jamb (2b) is considered. As the strike surface (40b) of the strike plate (40) comprises a surface at an elevated level from the receiver surface, no mortice of the latch jamb (2b) is necessary to house this part of the strike plate (40). Similar to traditional strike plates, the strike plate (40) of the present application also comprises a curved edge on its proximal edge in order to ease the path of the closure device and protect the latch jamb (2b) from the primary closure device (16). As only one mortice (17) is required for the primary closure device (16) on the frame jamb (2), the same mortice can be used to accommodate a door leaf (20) which is orientated in either direction (pivoting either inwards or outwards), off either jamb as shown in Figure 11. The thickness of the strike plate is suitably selected to be thinner than conventional strike plates which are typically 2mm or more. Instead the thickness of the receiver is selected to be less than 2mm, suitable less than 1.5mm and generally about 1 mm. The advantage of using a thinner piece is that the clearance required between a door and an opposing door or doorjamb may be maintained, i.e. additional space is not required to accommodate the raised intermediate surface. This is of particular importance when the doors are intended as fire doors where there are strict limits imposed on gap sizes. Suitably, the difference in level between the receiver surface and the raised intermediate surface corresponds to about the thickness of the receiver.

As explained, the outline shape and area of the receiver surface suitably corresponds to that of the faceplate of a matching closure device provided in the kit. The shape may be generally rectangular. The generally rectangular shape may have sharp corners or as shown rounded corners. It will be appreciated for the closure device to match the mortice shape cut for the receiver, that the fixing plate (mounting surface) of the closure device may be selected to match the thickness of the receiver surface. It will be appreciated that the body of the lock will extend into a deeper mortice which has been pre cut to accommodate the lock body. It will be appreciated that the deeper mortice cut for the lock body will not interfere with the normal operation or placement of a receiver if one was fitted instead. Accordingly, the doors will be pre-morticed to accommodate receiving the lock body. Whilst, this will not be required in all cases, e.g. on the lazy leaf of a double door when a receiver (strike plate) is fitted, it means that every door can be fitted with a lock or strike plate without additional cutting out by the person installing the doors. Similarly, pilot holes may be pre-drilled for the fixing plate of the lock and strike plate and by having the respective holes aligned it means only two pilot holes are required.

An exemplary form of strike plate with detailed measurements expressed in mm is shown in figures 14 and 15, with widths and thicknesses shown in figure 14 and lengths and aperture sizes shown in figure 15. It will be appreciated that these measurements may be varied to match different locks, doors etc. It will be appreciated that each of the measurements may be adjusted to account for different doors or locks. The length of the intermediate surface and strike surface may generally be selected to be longer than the overall length of the apertures provided in the receiver surface to accommodate the moving part of a closure device. Suitably, the length of the intermediate surface is between 10 and 30% longer than that of the receiver surface. The intermediate surface may be generally rectangular in shape. The edges of the curved section may curve inward from the edges of intermediate section so the length of the curved section narrows as it extends from the intermediate section.

Figure 13 illustrates a further aspect of the present application in the form of a positioning device (42). As shown in Figure 13, the positioning device (42) comprises fixing screws which comprise a first part (42a) having a body shaped to be received within an aperture defined in a first surface of the jamb (2), the first part (42a) having a means for engaging with the jamb (2) to retain the first part (42a) in situ in the jamb (2). The body of the first part (42a) having a threaded aperture defined therein for receiving a co-operating thread of a second part (42b), the second part (42b) having a generally flat first end for abutting a fixing surface and a second end (44) shaped to receive a fastening, wherein the relative distance between the jamb (2) and fixing surface may be adjusted by relative motion between the first (42a) and second part (42b). In the preferred aspect the first part (42a) is positioned within an outer end of the fixing point (26), wherein the fixing point (26) is located on the exterior surface of the jamb (2), the exterior surface being the major surface which faces away from the door leaf (20). This positioning can be performed prior to the arrival of the frame (10) components on site, in order to optimise the

performance of activities on the critical path. When the frame (10) is

approximately in position within the opening of the structure to which it will be attached, the second part (42b) can be placed in the other end of the same fixing point (26) in the interior, also known as the major surfaces facing towards the door leaf (20), of the frame (10). As mentioned above, one end of the second part (42b) will be shaped to receive a fastening tool, this shape may for example be in the form of a notch (44) such that a screwdriver or similar tool can be used to rotate the second part (42b). The second part (42b) and first part (42a) of the positioning device (42) can thus engage and the second part (42b) of the positioning device (42) can be adjusted in parallel with the adjustment of the rest of the positioning devices (42) in the system in order to attain the correct alignment for the door frame (10).

It will be appreciated that the present application describes a plurality of different components which may be used to advantage in installing a door. An advantage of the present application is that a kit may be provided of these components which allows a user to install a door, door frame with hinges and strike plate and closure device without specialist tools. All that is required in most cases is a screwdriver which may be powered or otherwise. In certain instances a saw may be required to cut a head to size but otherwise the installation may be performed without the need for morticing or routing tools. Thus a door may readily be installed without specialist carpentry skills which would normally be required.

Although the parts are described as a kit, it will be appreciated that each may be manufactured and sold separately or in different combinations and so each part, e.g. doors, door jambs, head, closure devices, strike plates and positioning devices may be considered individually as a separate feature to be protected by this application. Similarly, any combination thereof is similarly protected.