US3103263A

US3103263A - Sectional metal door frames

Info

Publication number: US3103263A
Application number: US96545A
Authority: US
Inventors: Werner M Leeser
Original assignee: Steelcraft Manufacturing Co
Current assignee: Steelcraft Manufacturing Co
Priority date: 1961-03-17
Filing date: 1961-03-17
Publication date: 1963-09-10
Anticipated expiration: 1980-09-10

Description

p 10, 1953 w. M. LEESER 3,103,263

SECTIONAL METAL 000R FRAMES Filed March 17, 1961 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 A T TOENE Y5.

Se t. 10, 1963 w. M. LEESER SECTIONAL METAL DOOR FRAMES 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed March 17, 1961 IN V TOR. m

H7 TUBA/5Y5 Sept. 10, 1963 w. M. LEESER SECTIONAL METAL DOOR FRAMES 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed March 17. 1961 Arron/5x5.

Sept. 10, 1963 w. M. LEESER SECTIONAL METAL DOOR FRAMES 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed March 17. 1961 United States Patent 3,103,263 SECTIONAL METAL DOOR FRAMES Werner M. Leeser, Cincinnati, Ohio, assignor to The Steelcraft Manufacturing Company, Rossmoyne, Ohio, a corporation of Ohio Filed Mar. 17, 1961, Ser. No. 96,545 3 Claims. (Cl. 189-46) This invention relates to hollow sheet metal door frames, side light frames, and multiple door frames, and is directed particularly to a sectional frame structure which may be installed more rapidly and conveniently than is possible with conventional metal frames of this character.

One of the primary objectives of the invention has been to provide an improved frame anchorage structure or connector which is adapted to be inserted into the hollow frame section and locked in place therein by a wedging action, adapting the frame sections to be mounted securely and in a convenient manner in the door opening of a wall structure, or adapting the frame section to be connected securely to an adjoining frame section in the event that a multiple door frame is installed in the wall structure.

Generally speaking, the door frame sections to which the present invention is addressed, are fabricated from sheet metal, the sections being substantially channelshaped in cross section, providing an open side having opposed, inturned marginal lips or flanges. The open side of each section is presented to the marginal portion of the wall surrounding the door opening when the frame is installed. In the case of a double or multiple door frame, or a side light frame, the open side of the adjoining frame sections are presented to one another.

Each anchorage device generally comprises an anchor plate formed of sheet metal and adapted to be inserted within the hollow frame member from an open end thencof and to be clamped at selected points along the length of the frame member by a wedging action. For this purpose, the opposite ends of the anchor plate are provided with limbs or flanges which project upwardly and downwardly, and which are adapted to engage the opposite sides of the channelshaped frame section so as to Eric tionally clamp the anchorage device at its selected position within the frame section.

As the anchor plates are inserted, they are held in a canted position with respect to the frame section to provide clearance. At its selected location along the frame section each anchor plate is rotated to a position at right angles to the section, causing the sides of the section to he sprung apart, slightly by the upwardly and downwardly rojecting flanges at opposite ends of the anchor plate. The upwardly and downwardly projecting end flanges pro vide clearance when the anchor plate is canted; they also act as stops limiting the turning motion when the plate is rotated to wedging position. The anchor plate is confined in a positive manner within the section by the marginal lips at the open side of the frame section, which overlie the inner edge of the anchor plate.

The frame sections are cut to length to provide the vertical jamb members and head member of the door frame, the adjoining upper ends being mitered to provide the joint between the jambs and head at the top of the frame. The anchorage devices are inserted in the jamb sections and head section prior to erection and each includes means for attachment to the studding or core of the wall structure before plaster is applied to the wall surfaces. After attachment, the plaster coating of the wall adjacent the door opening conceals the attachment means, the marginal or inturned lips being at least partially embedded in the plaster to provide a neat, trim appearance.

A further objective of the invention has been to provide ice several different types of anchor devices of the same basic design and principle of operation, which may be interchangeably applied to the hollow frame sections, whereby a given door frame may be mounted within the opening of walls of various types of construction, such as wood stud, metal stud and other types which are used in interior and exterior walls and partitions.

By virtue of the present connector device, the required frames may be conveniently cut to size in the field from straight lengths of hollow frame material, or the supplier may furnish the sections cut to length. In either event, the inventory of the supplier may be substantially reduced since the door frames (or side light frames) for the various types of wall construction can be furnish-ed simply by applying the appropriate anchorage devices or connectors. Thus, if the frame is to be installed in a wall constructed with wood studding, then the framing sections, together with a number of anchor devices arranged to be attached to wood studding are furnished to the user. If a similar frame is intended, for example, for a Wall of metal stud construction, then the same basic frame sections are supplied, together with anchor devices appropriate for attachment to the steel studding.

A further objective of the invention has been to provide a connector plate adopted to attach adjacent frame or jamb sections to one another by a snap-in connection so as to assemble double or multiple door frames of side light frames in a simple manner, utilizing the same frame sections for the jamb members and head members of the frames.

Described briefly, this form of the invention comprises an anchor plate having wedging flanges extending upwardly and downwardly at opposite ends, utilizing the wedging principle described above. In assembling the multiple door frame, the anchor plates are inserted into one jamb section, and in order to provide the snapin engagement with the mating jamb section of the double frame, each anchor plate is notched to receive the inrturned lips of the jamb sections, with an edge portion of the plate projecting outwardly beyond the open side of the jamb section. This projecting portion of the plate includes a curved cam section leading to the notch. In erecting a double frame, for example, the sections, of one frame, comprising jamb and head members may be se cured within the door opening of the wall structure as outlined above, including the installation of one of the jamb sections at the center of the opening, with the connector devices installed therein. The open side of the mating jamb section is now presented to the open side of the mounted jamb section, and one of its inturned lips is engaged in the notches of the connector devices. Thereafter the mating jamb section is pivoted in a direction to bring its second inturned lip to engagement with the curved cramming surface of the connector plates, thus expanding the jamb section and causing its second inturned lip to snap into the second notch of the connector plates, thereby locking the two adjoining sections securely together.

The various features and advantages of the invention will be more clearly apparent to those skilled in the art from the following description taken in conjunction with the drawings.

In the drawings:

FIGURE 1 is a fragmentary perspective view showing one of the anchor devices of the present invention mounted in a metal door frame section and secured to a wood partition stud.

FIGURE 2 is a view similar to FIGURE 1, showing a slightly modified form of the invention.

FIGURE 3 is a fragmentary perspective view of a typical installation illustrating the location of the several anchoc devices of the jamb and head members.

FIGURE 4 is a perspective view similar to FIGURE 1,

3 showing a modified anchor device which is adapted to attach the door frame to the metal studs of a wall structure.

FIGURE 5 is a fragmentary perspective view, showing a modified anchor device which is adapted to attach the frame to the lath board or core of a plastered walls.

FIGURE 6 is a fragmentary perspective view showing a typical installation of the frame with respect to the plastered wall, utilizing the anchor plates of FIGURE 5.

FIGURE 7 is a fragmentary face view, showing the mode of installing the anchor device in one of the frame sections.

FIGURE 8 is a view similar to FIGURE 7, showing the anchor device in place within the frame section.

FIGURE 9 is a sectional viewttaken along line 9--9 of FIGURE 8, further illustrating the installed anchor device.

FIGURE 10 is a sectional view taken along line 10-10 of FIGURE 8, further illustrating the installed anchoring device.

FIGURE 11 is a fragmentary section as viewed along line 11-11 of FIGURE 9, showing the anchor device spot-welded within the framing member.

FIGURE 12 is a fragmentary front view of a double door frame utilizing the anchor devices and connectors of the present invention.

FIGURE 13 is a sectional view taken along line 1313 of FIGURE 12, illustnating one of the connectors and anchor plates of the double frame structure.

FIGURE 14 is a fragmentary perspective view, illustrating the manner of joining the two center jamb members of a double door frame of the type shown in FIG- URE 12.

FIGURE 15 is a plane View, further illustrating the snap-in action of the mating jamb member.

FIGURE 16 is a view similar to FIGURE 15, but showing the jamb snapped in place.

Frame Installation (Wood Stud) Referring to FIGURE 1, the anchor device, which is The jamb member 3 is of the double rabbet type, comprising a door stop 4 delineating rabbets 55 adapting the door to be mounted for swinging motion relative to either side of the stop and to interflt either rabbet. The side pieces or limbs 6-6 of the channel-shaped fname section 3 include inturned lips 7-7 or flanges which coact with the anchor plate 1 in attaching the frame to the W121 structure, as explained later.

In constructing the partition or wall, the anchor devices 1, are wedged in place within the hollow framing members at appropriate points along their length, as explained below, then the usual plaster lath or lath board is attached to the studs at opposite sides. The plaster is then applied to the lath in sufficient thickness to embed the lips 7-7, such that the sides 66 are flush, or at least nearly flush, with the surface of the plastered wall surface.

Described in detail. the anchor device 1 is fabricated from a sheet metal blank having a rectangular anchor or connector plate 8 dimensioned to fit snugly within the frame section 3 through a wedging action, as shown in FIGURES L10. For this purpose, the opposite ends of the plate 8 are provided with legs or

flanges

10 and 11. the flange 10 projecting upwardly and the flange 11 projecting downwardly with respect to the plate 8. As shown in FIGURE 7, the

flange

10 and 11 extend outwardly at an angle which is somewhat greater than a right angle,

for example an angle of degrees, with respect to the plane of plate 8. Thus, the angle indicated at A (FIG- URE 7) represents a true right angle with reference to plate 8, while the angle B represents the outward divergence of the flange from true right angular relationship aids in wedging the plate to its clamped position and also adapts the

flanges

10 and 11 to be compressed slightly as the plate is frictionally locked within the frame section. These flanges act as stops, limiting the turning motion of the plate as it is wedged in place, as explained below.

The plate 8 further includes legs or

flanges

12 and 13 formed along its outer edge, also projecting upwardly and downwardly from the plate 8. These flanges also extend outwardly at an angle greater than a right angle with respect to the plate, as indicated at C in FIGURE 10. This angular relationship allows the

flanges

12 and 13 to flex slightly and facilitates the insertion of the plate into the frame section.

The inner edge of the plate 8 includes a downwardly depending flange 14 (FIGURE 7) which includes outwardly projecting ears 1S1S, which are spaced apart to embrace the opposite sides of the Wood stud 2, as shown in FIGURE 1. The ears 14 each include an aperture to receive a nail 16 which is driven into the stud so as to attach the anchor piece and frame section securely to the wall structure.

As noted earlier, the door frame sections 3 may be furnished to the user in the form of straight lengths to be cut and fitted to the door opening in the field. On the other hand, the sections may be cut to size by the supplier; in either event, the upper ends of the jamb members and the opposite ends of the head member are mitered one another. The anchor plates are conveniently and quickly installed within the framing members without special tools, the anchor plate being slipped into an end of the frame section while being held in a canted position (FIGURE 7), such that

end flanges

10 and 11 are spaced for clearance with respect to the internal surfaces of the section. In this canted position, the several anchor plates are shifted longitudinally to the desired points along the length of the frame member. As each anchor plate is located, it is locked in place by turning the anchor plate to a right angular position (FIGURE 8) with respect to the frame section; this can be accomplished either by hand or by striking one end portion lightly with a hammer, as indicated by the arrow in FIG- URE 8. The

flanges

10 and 11 act as stops to limit the degree of turning motion to the right angular position shown in this view. This turning motion forces the

end flanges

10 and 11 into frictional engagement with the walls 6-6 of the frame section to clamp the anchor plate in place.

As shown in FIGURE 3, by way of example, three of the anchor plates may be installed in the jamb members D and two in the head member E. After insertion of the anchor plates, the jamb and head members are placed in position with respect to the studs which delineate the door opening, then the nails 16 are driven in place so as to permanently attach the frame members to the studs. The lath and plaster is then applied to conceal the cars 15 and to integrate the metal door frame with the wall structure.

As best shown in FIGURE 1, the body plate 8 is provided with a pair of apertures l919 spaced inwardly from the opposite ends of the plate. The purpose of these apertures is to facilitate the application of grouting material for sound-deadening of the metal door frame. In other words, as the wall is constructed, the plasterer fills or partially fills the inside of the hollow frame with plaster in the flowable state. The apertures 19 allow the plaster to flow through the anchor plates from the top to bottom, so as to pack solidly in the jamb members.

Single Rubber Frame The anchor device indicated generally at 17 in FIG-

URES

2 and 3, is similar in principle to the structure shown in FIGURE 1, but is modified in size and shape to interfit a frame section 18 having a reduced width. and modified shape, which is known in the industry as a single rabbe-t frame. In this frame section, a stop 20 is located to one side of the section and delineates a single rabbet 21, one of the sides or limbs 22 being flush with the side of the stop. This frame section is intended for partitions having a reduced width, wherein the wood stud 23 is mounted at right angles to the position shown in FF"- URE 1. This type of wall construction is used, for ex ample, for closets and other secondary partitions.

The anchor device 17 is provided with end flanges 24 24 which extend upwardly and downwardly, as explained above, and which reside at an angle greater than 90 degrees to the plane of the anchor plate 25. A flange 26 extends downwardly from the inner edge of plate and includes ears 2727 spaced to embrace the opposite sides of the stud 23. The anchor plate is attached to the stud by nails 28 passing through apertures formed in the ears 27. The outer edge of plate 25 includes an offset portion 30 having a downwardly projecting flange 31 which engages the internal surface of the stop 20. An upwardly turned flange 31a engages the internal surface of the rabbct 21.

The anchor plate 25 is inserted into the frame member 2% in a canted position, as explained above with reference to FIGURE 7, and is frictionally locked in place at the required locations, as indicated in FIGURE 3. The upper ends of the jamb members D and the meeting ends of the head member E are mitered as at 32 to interfit one another. In the example illustrated, three of the anchor plates 17 are applied to each jamb member D and two are inserted in the head member E. The anchor plates for the head member are attached with nails 23 to the wood header 33, similiar to the attachment of the jambs to the vertical studs 23, as shown in FIGURE 2. After installation of the door frame, the plaster lath and plaster are applied to opposite sides of the studs as indicated at 29.

Although in most instances, it is desirable to wedge the anchor plates into the frame sections in the field, they may be installed permanently within the frame section by spot welding, as indicated at 39 in FIGURE 11. In this construction, the anchor plates are located and wedged in place at the desired locations, then the spot welds 39 are applied with suitable electrodes which engage and clamp the flanges of the anchor plate to the surface of the frame section. The arrangement of FIG- URE 11 represents the double rabbet section shown in FIGURE 9; however, it will be understood that the anchor plate for the single rabbet frame (FIGURE 2) may be similarly spot welded.

Steel Stud Anchor Plate The anchor plate 34, which is shown in FIGURE 4, is intended for use with steel studding 35 in place of wood studs. The metal studs comprise pairs of vertical rods 36 joined by diagonal truss members 37 for reinforcemerit. The anchor plate 34 is similar to the plate 1 (FIG- URE 1), including

end flanges

10 and 11, and

flanges

12 and 13 along the outer edge of the plate. However, in this case, the flange l4 and cars 15 have been omitted from the inner edge of the plate. In order to attach the plate to the studs 34, holes 3838 are formed in the plate 8 to receive wires 40 which are passed through the holes and around the studs 35, the ends of the wires being twisted as at 41 to draw the edge of the plate firmly against the studs. In order to clamp the anchor plate firmly, the inner edge of the plate is notched out as at 42, the notches being spaced to embrace the steel studding 35.

During erection, the anchor plates are located and wedged in place in the same manner as described above with references to FIGURES 7 and 8, and then the wires 4!] are applied. The steel studs are covered with lath (not shown), usually of metal, the plaster being applied after the frame is installed, as explained above. Although the frame section 3 shown in FIGURE 4 is of the double rabbet type, it will be understood that the steel stud anchor plate 34 may be furnished for single rabbet frames as in FIGURE 2, by changing the size or configuration of the plate.

Plaster Wall Frame A nchomge FIGURE 5 illustrates another form of the anchor plate which is intended for mounting a single rabbet frame with respect to a plastered wall of reduced thickness, similar to that shown in FIGURE 2. In FIGURE 5, however, the wood studs are omitted and the wall comprises a core or lath board 43 covered with plaster 44 on opposite sides. The anchored plate 45 is similar to plate 17 (FIG- URE 2) including end flanges 2424 and

side flanges

31 and 31a. In this case, the inner edge of anchor plate 45 includes a pair of lugs 46-46, each having an aperture 47 adapted to receive a wire 48 which is passed through the edge portion of the latch board 43, the end portions of the wire being twisted together as at St to draw the plate firmly against the edge of the lath board. The anchor plates 45 are wedged in place within the door frame sections and anchored to the lath board 43 before the plaster coating 44 is applied. such that the frame section is at least partially embedded in the edge portion of the plaster.

In some forms of wall construction of this general type, the edge of the lath board may include a steel channel (not shown) which interfits the lugs 46 for reinforcement purposes. In other instances, the wall structure may include vertical channel members which extend Within the jamb members. To accommodate this type of construction, each anchor plate 45 is provided with a channelshaped opening 51 to receive the channel member. It will be understood that in this instance, the anchor plates necessarily are first installed within the frame section and wedged in place, adapting the channel to be slipped through the several anchor plates before the frame sections are applied to the door opening.

Double F mme Connector FIGURES 12 and 13 represent a double door frame installation comprising two

frames

52 and 53 installed in side-by side relationship in a partition or wall structure 54, utilizing a snap-in connector, indicated generally at 55 (FIGURE 14) for joining the mating jarnbs, which are indicated at 56 and 57. It will be understood at this point, that the connector 55 may also be utilized in mounting one or a pair of side lights (not shown) alongside of a door, or pair of doors in place of a double door arrangement which is illustrated. The connector 55 is similar to the anchor plate 1 (FIGURE 1), or its modified form for single rabbet doors, the connector being located and clamped in place by a wedging action similar to plate 1.

Described with reference to FIGURE 12, the right hand frame 52 comprises a frame section 3 forming a jamb which is joined to the framing stud 2 by an anchor plate I, as described with reference to FIGURE 1. A head member is similarly attached to the wood header; the left hand jamb 57 forms a part of the central double jamb 65. A door 58 is hingedly connected as at 59 (FIG- URE 13) to the right hand jamb member 3. The left hand frame 53 also comprises a jamb member 3, including a door 60 hingedly connected to the left jamb memher 3. The

jarnb members

56 and 57, which form the double jarnb 65, at the center of the double frame, are joined together by a series of connectors 55 located at spaced points within the mating frame sections.

Each connector 55 comprises a sheet metal plate 62, which is a counterpart of plate 8, including wedging flanges It} and 11 at opposite ends and having flanges l2 and 13 at the outer edge of the plate engageable with the internal surface of the double rabbet frame, as explained with reference to FIGURE 1. In order to join the

mating frame sections

56 and 57, the plate 62 is notched as at 63 and 64 to receive the inturned lips 77 of the frame sections, the width of the notches being somewhat greater than twice the thickness of the sheet metal sections, such that the doubled lips 7 of the connected sections (FIGURE 16) may interfit the notches.

In installing the double frame, the side jamb and header members may be first attached to the studding structure by the anchor devices 1, then the double jamb 65 may be installed at the center of the opening. For this purpose, the connectors 55 are first installed in section 56. Thereafter, the mating jamb section 57 is located in position with one of its inturned lips is inserted in the notch 64. The frame section is then pivoted, as shown by the arrow in FIGURE 15, causing the opposite lip 7 to cam against the curved edge portion 66 leading to the notch 63. As the lip follows the curve 66, the side or limb 6 of the frame section is sprung outwardly, as indicated by the arrow in FIGURE 15, until the lip reaches the notch 66. At this point, the lip snaps into the notch (FIGURE 16), thereby connecting the second jamb section securely in facial engagement with the first section. The upper and lower ends of the double jamb 65 are attached by suitable fixtures (not shown) when the assembly is installed at the center of the door opening.

Having described my invention, I claim:

1. A metal frame structure for a door or the like comprising, a plurality of hollow one piece sheet metal frame sections having an open side and adapted to be anchored to an adjacent structure, each of said sections being generally channel-shaped in. cross section. said section having opposed yieldable side walls, a pair of inturncd lips projecting from said sidewalls toward one another and delineating said open side, an anchorage device positioned within said hollow channel-shaped sheet metal frame section, said anchorage device comprising an anchor plate formed of sheet metal and being of one-piece construction, said anchor plate being configurated to fit within the hollow frame section, a respective wedging flange projecting from the opposite ends of said anchor plate substantially at right angles to the plane of the plate, said flanges extending respectively in opposite directions with respect to the plane of the plate, and attachment means on said. anchor plate projecting outwardly from the open side of the frame section between said inturned lips and spaced therefrom, said attachment means adapted to anchor the frame section to an adjacent structure. said anchor plate inserted within the hollow frame section in a transversely canted position relative to the longitudinal axis of the frame section to provide clearance between the said wedging flanges and the opposed yieldable side walls of the sheet metal frame section, said plate turned from the canted position to a generally right angular position relative to the axis of the frame section, whereby the opposite ends of the anchor plate are brought into engagement with. said yielda ble side walls to spring the same apart from one another, said wedging flanges seating against the yicldable side walls thereby to locate the anchor plate in a position substantially at right angles to the longitudinal axis of the frame section and shifting the wedging flanges into frictional engagement with the side walls with said inturned lips overlying the anchor plate and confining the same within the frame section at a selected position along the frame section.

2. A double jarnb structure for a door frame or the like comprising, a pair of frame sections, each of said sections being formed of sheet metal and being of one piece construction, said frame sections being generally channelshaped in cross-section and having yieldable side walls including opposed inturned lips delineating an open side of said section, a plurality of connector devices mounted with-in the first of said frame sections, each of said con ncctor devices including an anchor plate formed of sheet metal and being of one-piece construction, said anchor plate interfitting the interior of said first section, each of said anchor plates having attachment means thereon projecting outwardly from the open side of the first framing section, said attachment means having respective wedging flanges on opposite ends thereof extending respectively in opposite directions with respect to the anchor plate, said anchor plate having respective notches at opposite ends thereof and having a cam portion projecting outwardly beyond the open side of the section, said lips being engaged in said notches and confining the anchor plate within the first section, said wedging flanges being disposed substantially at right anges to the plane of the plate, said anchor plate adapted to be inserted within the first of said frame sections in a transversely canted position relative to the longitudinal axis of the section to provide clearance between said wcdging flanges and the yielda'ble side walls of the frame section, said anchor plate adapted to be turned from the canted position to a generally right angular posi tion relative to the first frame section, whereby the opposite ends of the anchor plate are brought into engagement with said yieldable side Walls to spring the same apart from one another, said Wedging flanges adapted to seat against the yieldable side walls, thereby to locate the anchor plate in a position substantially at right angles to the longitudinal axis of the first section and to shift the wedging flanges into frictional engagement with the yieldable side walls of the first section, said cam portion of the anchor plate having a curved camming surface leading outwardly to one of said notches, the second of said frame sections having an open side presented to the open side of the first section, with the inturncd lips of the second section engaged in said notches, thereby securing the two sections together, said camming surface adapting the second section to be joined to the first section by forcing the two sections toward one another with a lip of the second section engaged against said camming surface, whereby said camrning surface springs the side walls of the second section apart from one another, adapting the lip thereof to snap into engagement with said notch and in facial relationship with the lip of the first section.

3. A connector device for securing a second hollow frame section to a first section to form a double jam, each of said sections being formed of one-piece yieldable sheet metal and being generally channel-shaped in cross-section, each of said frame sections including yieldable side walls, said side walls having a pair of inturned lips delineating an open side, said connector device comprising an anchor plate formed of sheet metal and being of one-piece construction, said anchor plate being configurated to interfit the interior of a first hollow frame section, said anchor plate having respective wedging flanges on oppositet ends thereof, said flanges projecting respectively in opposite directions relative to the plane of said plate, said plate having attachment means adapted to project outwardly from the open side of the first frame section, said attachment means having a pair of notches formed in the opposite ends thereof, said notches being dimensioned to receive the inturned lips of said first and second frame sections, said anchor plate having a cam portion projecting outwardly beyond said notches, one side of said projecting portion having a curved camming surface leading from the edge of said cam portion outwardly to the notch, said anchor plate adapted to be inserted into the first hollow frame section in a transversely canted position with respect to the longitudinal axis of the section to provide clearance between the side Wcdging flanges and the opposed yieldahle side walls of the first section, adapting the anchor plate to be shifted along the first section to a selected position, said. plate adapted to be turned to a generally right angular position relative to said axis, whereby the opposite ends of the anchor plate are brought into engagement with said yieldable side walls to spring the same apart from one another, said wedging flanges adapted to seat against the yicldahle side walls, thereby to locate the anchor plate in a position substantially at right angles to the longitudinal axis of the frame section and to shift the Wedging flanges into frictional engagement with the yieldable side walls of the frame section with the cam portion projecting from the open side of the first section, said cam surface adapting the second frame section to be joined to the first section by presenting the open face of the second 5 section to the open face of the first section and forcing said sections toward one another, whereby the lip of the second section engages said camming surface to expand the section, adapting the lip to snap into said notch and into facial relationship with the lip of the second section. 10

References Cited in the fiie of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Baxter May 21, Kiefer July 7, Miller Sept. 22, Mainieri Oct. 29, Rudisiil Juiy 4,

FOREIGN PATENTS Austria May 25,

Claims

1. A METAL FRAME STRUCTURE FOR A DOOR OR THE LIKE COMPRISING, A PLURALITY OF HOLLOW ONE-PIECE SHEET METAL FRAME SECTIONS HAVING AN OPEN SIDE AND ADAPTED TO BE ANCHORED TO AN ADJACENT STRUCTURE, EACH OF SAID SECTIONS BEING GENERALLY CHANNEL-SHAPED IN CROSS SECTION, SAID SECTION HAVING OPPOSED YIELDABLE SIDE WALLS, A PAIR OF INTURNED LIPS PROJECTING FROM SAID SIDEWALLS TOWARD ONE ANOTHER AND DELINEATING SAID OPEN SIDE, AN ANCHORAGE DEVICE POSITIONED WITHIN SAID HOLLOW CHANNEL-SHAPED SHEET METAL FRAME SECTION, SAID ANCHORAGE DEVICE COMPRISING AN ANCHOR PLATE FORMED OF SHEET METAL AND BEING OF ONE-PIECE CONSTRUCTION, SAID ANCHOR PLATE BEING CONFIGURATED TO FIT WITHIN THE HOLLOW FRAME SECTION, A RESPECTIVE WEDGING FLANGE PROJECTING FROM THE OPPOSITE ENDS OF SAID ANCHOR PLATE SUBSTANTIALLY AT RIGHT ANGLES TO THE PLANE OF THE PLATE, SAID FLANGES EXTENDING RESPECTIVELY IN OPPOSITE DIRECTIONS WITH RESPECT TO THE PLANE OF THE PLATE, AND ATTACHMENT MEANS ON SAID ANCHOR PLATE PROJECTING OUTWARDLY FROM THE OPEN SIDE OF THE FRAME SECTION BETWEEN SAID INTURNED LIPS AND SPACED THEREFROM, SAID ATTACHMENT MEANS ADAPTED TO ANCHOR THE FRAME SECTION TO AN ADJACENT STRUCTURE, SAID ANCHOR PLATE INSERTED WITHIN THE HOLLOW FRAME SECTION IN A TRANSVERSELY CANTED POSITION RELATIVE TO THE LONGITUDINAL AXIS OF THE FRAME SECTION TO PROVIDE CLEARANCE BETWEEN THE SAID WEDGING FLANGES AND THE OPPOSED YIELDABLE SIDE WALLS OF THE SHEET METAL FRAME SECTION, SAID PLATE TURNED FROM THE CANTED POSITION TO A GENERALLY RIGHT ANGULAR POSITION RELATIVE TO THE AXIS OF THE FRAME SECTION, WHEREBY THE OPPOSITE ENDS OF THE ANCHOR PLATE ARE BROUGHT INTO ENGAGEMENT WITH SAID YIELDABLE SIDE WALLS TO SPRING THE SAME APART FROM ONE ANOTHER, SAID WEDGING FLANGES SEATING AGAINST THE YIELDABLE SIDE WALLS THEREBY TO LOCATE THE ANCHOR PLATE IN A POSITION SUBSTANTIALLY AT RIGHT ANGLES TO THE LONGITUDINAL AXIS OF THE FRAME SECTION AND SHIFTING THE WEDGING FLANGES INTO FRICTIONAL ENGAGEMENT WITH THE SIDE WALLS WITH SAID INTURNED LIPS OVERLYING THE ANCHOR PLATE AND CONFINING THE SAME WITHIN THE FRAME SECTION AT A SELECTED POSITION ALONG THE FRAME SECTION.