U.S. patent application number 10/629959 was filed with the patent office on 2004-04-01 for lockset drilling guide.
Invention is credited to Davidian, Richard M., Durfee, Laverne, Hallee, Kristofor M., Trettin, David J..
Application Number | 20040062618 10/629959 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 32069674 |
Filed Date | 2004-04-01 |
United States Patent
Application |
20040062618 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Trettin, David J. ; et
al. |
April 1, 2004 |
Lockset drilling guide
Abstract
A lockset drilling guide and a method of forming holes in a door
are provided. The drilling guide includes a frame and at least a
first opening and a second opening defined in the frame. The first
opening is positioned at approximately 90 degrees to the second
opening. The frame is configured for positioning on a door to
facilitate the forming of openings in a door for the installation
of a lockset. The method includes the steps of providing a frame
having at least a first opening and a second opening defined in the
frame; positioning the frame on an edge of the door; inserting a
first holesaw at least partially into the first opening and
drilling a first hole in the door; inserting a second holesaw at
least partially into the second opening and drilling a second hole
in the door; and removing the frame from the door.
Inventors: |
Trettin, David J.;
(Charlotte, NC) ; Davidian, Richard M.;
(Weddington, NC) ; Durfee, Laverne; (Harmony,
NC) ; Hallee, Kristofor M.; (Huntersville,
NC) |
Correspondence
Address: |
BRINKS HOFER GILSON & LIONE
P.O. BOX 10395
CHICAGO
IL
60611
US
|
Family ID: |
32069674 |
Appl. No.: |
10/629959 |
Filed: |
July 30, 2003 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
60407485 |
Aug 30, 2002 |
|
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|
Current U.S.
Class: |
408/115R |
Current CPC
Class: |
Y10T 408/56245 20150115;
Y10T 408/03 20150115; Y10T 292/62 20150401; B23B 2260/004 20130101;
B23B 47/287 20130101; Y10T 408/563 20150115; Y10T 408/568 20150115;
Y10T 408/567 20150115 |
Class at
Publication: |
408/115.00R |
International
Class: |
B23B 049/00 |
Claims
1. A lockset drilling guide comprising: a frame; and at least a
first opening and a second opening defined in said frame, said
first opening positioned at approximately 90 degrees to said second
opening, said frame configured for positioning on a door to
facilitate the forming of openings in said door for the
installation of a lockset.
2. The lockset drilling guide of claim 1 further comprising at
least one spacing tab positionable between said frame and said
door.
3. The lockset drilling guide of claim 2, wherein said at least one
spacing tab is flexibly attached to said frame.
4. The lockset drilling guide of claim 2, further comprising at
least three spacing tabs, each of said spacing tabs defining at
least one upstanding peg for insertion in a corresponding opening
defined on said frame.
5. The lockset drilling guide of claim 4, wherein said upstanding
pegs are circular in cross section and are sized to removably
engage a corresponding opening on said frame.
6. The lockset drilling guide of claim 1, wherein said frame is
L-shaped in configuration having a first flange and a second flange
mounted perpendicularly thereto, and said first opening is defined
in said first flange and said second opening is defined in said
second flange.
7. The lockset drilling guide of claim 6 wherein said first and
second openings are circular.
8. The lockset drilling guide of claim 6 further comprising a
cylindrical wall surrounding each of said first and second
openings.
9. The lockset drilling guide of claim 1 wherein said first and
second openings are adapted to closely hold and guide the outer
wall of a holesaw.
10. The lockset drilling guide of claim 1 wherein said first and
second openings have differing diameters.
11. The lockset drilling guide of claim 10 further comprising a
first and a second holesaw adapted to fit each of said first and
second openings.
12. The lockset drilling guide of claim 1 wherein said door
comprises a thickness of about 1 3/8-inches.
13. The lockset drilling guide of claim 1 wherein said door
comprises a thickness of about 1 3/4-inches.
14. The lock set drilling guide of claim 1 further comprising a
center of said first opening located about 2 3/8-inches.
15. The lockset drilling guide of claim 1 further comprising a
center of said first opening located about 2 3/4-inches from said
edge of said door.
16. A drilling guide for drilling openings in a door for the
mounting of a lockset, said guide comprising: an angular frame for
positioning along the edge of said door; at least a first and a
second opening defined in said frame, said openings positioned
relative to each other to guide the drilling of a corresponding
first and second holes in said door having perpendicularly
extending axes; and at least one spacing tab mountable to said
drilling guide, each of said at least one tabs being flexibly
attached to said frame via at least one strap.
17. The drilling guide of claim 16 further comprising a first
flange and a second flange wherein said first and second flanges
are positioned at approximately 90 degrees to each other.
18. The drilling guide of claim 16 wherein said first and second
openings are configured to guide a first and second holesaw.
19. The drilling guide of claim 16 wherein said drilling guide is
mountable to said door via fasteners.
20. The drilling guide of claim 16 further comprising at least
three spacing tabs, each of said spacing tabs defining at least one
upstanding peg for insertion in a corresponding opening defined on
said frame.
21. The drilling guide of claim 20, wherein said upstanding pegs
are circular in cross section and are sized to removably engage a
corresponding opening on said frame.
22. The drilling guide of claim 16, wherein said frame is L-shaped
in configuration having a first flange and a second flange mounted
perpendicularly thereto, and said first opening is defined in said
first flange and said second opening is defined in said second
flange.
23. The drilling guide of claim 16 wherein said first and second
openings are circular.
24. The drilling guide of claim 16 further comprising a center of
said first opening located about 2 3/8-inches from said edge of
said door.
25. The drilling guide of claim 16 further comprising a center of
said first opening located about 2 3/4-inches from said edge of
said door.
26. The drilling guide of claim 16 further comprising a cylindrical
wall surrounding each of said first and second openings.
27. The drilling guide of claim 16 wherein said first and second
openings have differing diameters.
28. The drilling guide of claim 16 wherein said door comprises a
thickness of about 1 3/8-inches.
29. The drilling guide of claim 16 wherein said door comprises a
thickness of about 1 3/4-inches.
30. A drilling guide for drilling holes in a door for the mounting
of a lockset, said guide comprising: an L-shaped frame for
positioning along the edge of said door; a first cylindrical
opening defined in said frame having a first axis and a second
cylindrical opening defined in said frame having a second axis,
said first and second axes intersecting at approximately 90 degrees
to each other, said openings configured to guide correspondingly
sized holesaws for forming holes in said door; and at least one
spacing tab for spacing said frame a predefined distance from said
door.
31. The guide of claim 30 wherein said L-shaped frame includes a
first flange and a second flange extending approximately 90 degrees
therefrom.
32. The guide of claim 30 wherein said first and second openings
are defined having first and second axes perpendicular to said
first and second flanges wherein said first opening is defined in
said first flange and said second opening is defined in said second
flange.
33. The guide of claim 30 wherein said at least one spacing tab is
mountable to said frame on at least a first or a second flange,
said flanges being arranged at 90 degrees to each other.
34. The guide of claim 30 wherein said at least one spacing tab is
attached to said frame via a flexible strap.
35. The guide of claim 30 further comprising a plurality of spacing
tabs.
36. The guide of claim 35 wherein at least one spacing tab is
removably mountable to said first flange and said second spacing
tab is mountable to said second flange.
37. The drilling guide of claim 30 wherein said first and second
openings are circular.
38. The drilling guide of claim 30 further comprising a cylindrical
wall surrounding each of said first and second openings.
39. The drilling guide of claim 30 wherein said first and second
openings have differing diameters.
40. A drilling guide for boring holes in a door for the mounting of
a lockset, said guide comprising: an L-shaped frame having a first
flange and a second flange mounted perpendicularly thereto, said
flanges defining first and second rear faces; a first circular
opening defined in said first flange said first opening including a
first annular lip; a second circular opening defined in said second
flange, said second opening including a second annular lip; a
plurality of spacing tabs flexibly attached to said frame, said
tabs being removably mountable to said rear faces.
41. The drilling guide of claim 40 wherein said first opening is
positioned at approximately 90 degrees to said second opening.
42. The drilling guide of claim 40 wherein said first and second
openings are adapted to closely hold and guide the outer wall of a
holesaw.
43. The drilling guide of claim 40 wherein said first and second
openings have differing diameters.
44. The drilling guide of claim 40 wherein said drilling guide is
mountable to said door via fasteners.
45. A method for forming holes in a door, said method comprising
the steps of: providing a frame having at least a first opening and
a second opening defined in said frame, said first opening
positioned at approximately 90 degrees to said second opening;
positioning said frame on an edge of said door; inserting a first
holesaw at least partially into said first opening and drilling a
first hole in said door; inserting a second holesaw at least
partially into said second opening and drilling a second hole in
said door; and removing said frame from said door.
46. The method of claim 45 further comprising the step of attaching
said frame to said door via at least one fastener.
47. The method of claim 46 further comprising the step of removing
said frame from said door and mounting a door latch plate via
openings on said door previously made by said at least one
fastener.
48. The method of claim 45 wherein said first and second holes
extend approximately 90 degrees to each other.
49. The method of claim 45 further comprising guiding said first
holesaw with said first opening and guiding said second holesaw
with said second opening.
50. The method of claim 45 further comprising the step of providing
a plurality of spacing tabs mountable to said frame, said plurality
of spacing tabs for positioning said frame a predefined distance
from said door.
51. The method of claim 45 further comprising centering said first
opening about 2 3/8-inches from said edge of said door.
52. The method of claim 45 further comprising centering said first
opening about 2 3/4-inches from said edge of said door.
53. A method for forming holes in a first and a second door, said
method comprising the steps of: providing an angular frame having
at least a first opening and a second opening defined in said
frame, said frame including a plurality of spacing tabs mountable
thereto; positioning said frame on an edge of said first door;
forming openings in said first door guided by said first and,
second openings; removing said frame from said first door; mounting
said spacing tabs to said frame; positioning said frame on an edge
of said second door; forming openings in said second door guided by
said first and second openings.
54. The method of claim 53 further comprising the step of mounting
said frame on said first door via a pair of fasteners inserted
through a pair of throughgoing openings on said frame.
55. The method of claim 54 further comprising the step of removing
said frame from said first door and mounting a door latch plate via
openings on said first door previously made by said fasteners.
56. The method of claim 53 further comprising the step of mounting
said frame on said second door via a pair of fasteners inserted
through a pair of throughgoing openings on said frame.
57. The method of claim 56 further comprising the step of removing
said frame from said second door and mounting a door latch plate
via openings on said second door previously made by said
fasteners.
58. The method of claim 53 wherein said first door is one of 1
3/8-inches and 1 3/4-inches and said second door is the other of 1
3/8-inches and 1 3/4-inches.
59. An apparatus for drilling holes in a door for the mounting of a
lockset, said apparatus comprising: an angular frame for
positioning along the edge of said door; a first cylindrical
opening defined in said frame having a first axis and a second
cylindrical opening defined in said frame having a second axis,
said first and second axes intersecting at approximately 90 degrees
to each other; at least one holesaw blade sized to fit within at
least one of said openings; and at least one spacing tab mountable
to said frame for spacing said frame a predefined distance from
said door.
60. A method of mounting a lockset on a door having a face and an
edge, said method comprising the steps of: providing a frame member
having an L-shaped cross section; attaching said frame member to
said door by driving at least one first fastener through said frame
member into said edge of said door; forming an opening for the
mounting of said lockset using said frame member as a guide;
removing said at least one first fastener and said frame from said
door; and mounting said lockset in said opening.
61. The method of claim 60 wherein said frame member extends at
least partially along said face and said edge, said frame member
comprising at least one opening defined therein.
62. The method of claim 61 wherein said step of forming said
opening further comprises cutting a hole in said door face using a
holesaw.
63. The method of claim 60 further comprising the step of mounting
a latch plate to the edge of said door by inserting at least one
second fastener through said plate and into an opening formed by
said first fastener.
Description
[0001] This application claims priority to U.S. application Ser.
No. 60/407,485, filed Aug. 30, 2002, pending, which is incorporated
in its entirety herein.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The present invention relates to carpentry tools. In
particular, the present invention relates to a drilling guide for
facilitating the drilling of holes in a door for the installation
of standard locksets.
BACKGROUND
[0003] Standard-sized door handle locksets are used to latch and
secure hinged doors to a doorjamb-mounted strikeplate. These
locksets typically require the drilling of a large, throughgoing
hole in the face of the door and a perpendicularly-extending,
smaller hole in the edge of the door. Additional holes must be
drilled in the edge of the door to retain the latchplate. The
lockset and door handles are mounted to both sides of the larger
hole, and the latchplate and cylinder latch are mounted to the
smaller hole on the edge of the door.
[0004] Typically, the center of the larger hole, which is located
in the face of the door, must be either 2-3/8 or 2-3/4 inches from
the edge of the door, depending on the type or brand of lockset to
be installed. To facilitate the drilling of the holes in the door,
most of such locksets include a paper template that the installer
may affix to the door to mark the drilling holes for the
lockset.
[0005] These paper templates have significant shortcomings,
however. First, the non-durable templates must be taped to the
door, and this may become a tedious task for carpenters who are
charged with installing many locksets at a jobsite. Furthermore,
because of the stretching of the template or the possibility of
misaligning it on the door with the wrong marking line, it is very
possible that one or more of the holes may be marked in the wrong
location. The fact that interior doors typically are configured in
at least two popular thicknesses (1-3/8" and 1-3/4") adds to the
difficulty in accurately positioning the template. In addition to
these problems with the template, it is often difficult to drill
holes in the door edge and face that are perfectly aligned with
their central axes perpendicular to each other. Such misalignment
or misplacement may result in a poorly fitting lockset or a lockset
that fails to properly engage the strikeplate on the door jamb. At
worst, an entire door can be ruined and may need to be completely
discarded if the holes are drilled improperly.
[0006] A particularly inexperienced user may even use the wrong
size holesaw or paddle bit when using either of these template
methods, thereby resulting in a large hole of an incorrect size. If
the hole is too small for the lockset yet too large for the pilot
drill of a holesaw, it may be impossible for the proper-sized
holesaw to enlarge the hole accurately on center of the previous
hole. A similar problem will arise when enlarging a preexisting
lockset hole in a previously drilled door, in that it is extremely
difficult to center the larger holesaw over the center of a
preexisting hole. Because newer locksets typically require a 2-1/8
inch hole in the face of the door instead of the previously popular
1-7/8 inch hole, this has become an increasing problem.
[0007] In the past, some have attempted to solve some of the
inaccuracy problems in lockset installation through the use of a
more durable plastic template that allows the drilling of pilot
holes in the door. Such a template is shown in U.S. Pat. No.
4,280,776. While the plastic template disclosed therein may have
some advantages over a paper template, the tool is still prone to
most of the inaccuracy problems discussed above. Furthermore, by
only allowing the marking or drilling of pilot holes, additional
time-consuming steps must be taken in preparing and drilling each
door.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0008] In order to address one or more of the shortcomings
discussed above, a lockset drilling guide is provided herein. In
one embodiment and one aspect of the invention, a frame is provided
having a first opening and a second opening. The first opening is
positioned at approximately 90 degrees to the second opening. The
frame is configured for positioning on a door to facilitate the
forming of openings in the door for the installation of a
lockset.
[0009] In another embodiment of the invention, a drilling guide
having an angular frame for positioning along the edge of a door is
provided. The frame includes at least a first and a second opening
defined in the frame wherein the openings are positioned relative
to each other to guide the drilling of a corresponding first and
second set of holes in a door having perpendicularly extending
axes. The frame comprises at least one spacing tab mountable to the
drilling guide, each of the at least one tabs is flexibly attached
to the frame via at least one strap.
[0010] Another embodiment of the present invention includes a
drilling guide with an L-shaped frame for positioning along the
edge of a door. A first cylindrical opening is defined in the frame
having a first axis and second cylindrical opening is defined in
the-frame having a second axis. The first and second axes intersect
at approximately 90 degrees to each other. The openings are
configured to guide correspondingly sized holesaws for forming
holes in the door. The drilling guide includes at least one spacing
tab for spacing the frame a predefined distance from the door.
[0011] Another embodiment of the present invention includes a
drilling guide having an L-shaped frame having a first flange and a
second flange mounted perpendicularly thereto. The flanges define
first and second rear faces. A first circular opening is defined in
the first flange, the first opening includes a first annular lip
and a second circular opening is defined in the second flange, the
second opening including a second annular lip. A plurality of
spacing tabs are flexibly attached to the frame, the tabs being
removably mountable to the rear faces.
[0012] In another embodiment of the present invention, a method is
provided for forming holes in a door. The method comprises the
steps of providing a frame having at least a first opening and a
second opening defined in the frame, the first opening being
positioned at approximately 90 degrees to the second opening;
positioning the frame on an edge of the door; inserting a first
holesaw at least partially into the first opening and drilling a
first hole in the door; inserting a second holesaw at least
partially into the second opening and drilling a second hole in the
door; and removing the frame from the door.
[0013] In another embodiment of the present invention, a method is
provided for forming holes in a first and a second door. The method
includes the steps of providing an angular frame having at least a
first opening and a second opening defined in the frame, the frame
including a plurality of spacing tabs mountable thereto;
positioning the frame on an edge of the first door; forming
openings in the first door guided by the first and second openings;
and removing the frame from the first door. The method further
includes the steps of mounting the spacing tabs to the frame;
positioning the frame on an edge of the second door; and forming
openings in the second door guided by the first and second
openings.
[0014] In an embodiment of the present invention, an apparatus is
provided for drilling holes in a door for the mounting of a
lockset. The apparatus comprises an angular frame for positioning
along the edge of the door; a first cylindrical opening defined in
the frame having a first axis and a second cylindrical opening
defined in the frame having a second axis. The first and second
axes intersect at approximately 90 degrees to each other. The
apparatus further comprises at least one holesaw blade sized to fit
within at least one of the openings and at least one spacing tab
mountable to the frame for spacing the frame a predefined distance
from the door.
[0015] In another embodiment of the present invention, a method is
provided for mounting a lockset on a door. The method includes the
steps of providing a frame member having an L-shaped cross section;
attaching the frame member to the door by driving at least one
first fastener through the frame member into the edge of the door;
forming an opening for the mounting of the lockset using the frame
member as a guide; removing the at least one first fastener and the
frame from the door; and mounting the lockset in the opening.
[0016] Other objects and advantages will be apparent from the
following description of the invention, and the various features of
that invention will be particularly pointed out in conjunction with
the preferred embodiments. As realized, the invention is capable of
other and different embodiments, and its details are capable of
modification in various respect. Accordingly, the drawings and
description are to be regarded as illustrative in nature and not as
restrictive.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS
[0017] The present embodiments of the invention are illustrated in
the accompanying drawings wherein:
[0018] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a first embodiment of the
lockset drilling guide in accordance with the present
invention;
[0019] FIG. 2 is a front elevational view of FIG. 1;
[0020] FIG. 3 is a top elevational view of FIG. 1;
[0021] FIG. 4 is a left-side elevational view of FIG. 1;
[0022] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the lockset drilling guide
of FIG. 1 showing the rear portion thereof;
[0023] FIG. 6 is a perspective view similar to that of FIG. 5,
showing the adjustment tabs positioned and installed on the frame
of the preferred embodiment; and
[0024] FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the embodiment shown in FIG.
1 installed on the edge of a door and showing various aspects of
the lockset installation process;
[0025] FIG. 8 is a top elevational view similar to that of FIG. 3
showing the installation of the drilling guide on a standard,
non-beveled door;
[0026] FIG. 9 is an elevational view similar to that of FIGS. 3 and
8 showing the installation of the drilling guide on a beveled door;
and
[0027] FIG. 10 is a top elevational view similar to FIGS. 3, 8 and
9 showing the drilling guide installed on a door of reduced
thickness.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0028] A preferred embodiment of the invention is shown as a
drilling guide 10 having a frame 12 as shown in the various views
of FIGS. 1-5. The frame 12 is generally L-shaped in that the frame
12 includes a first flange 14 and a second flange 16 positioned
relative to each to each other at a 90.degree. angle. The first
flange 14 preferably defines a generally flat, planar rear face 15
and a second flange 16 preferably defines a generally flat rear
face 17. A pair of upstanding, elongated spacing ridges 50 are
provided along the rear face 17 of the second flange 16 to account
for positioning along beveled door edges. The first flange 14
preferably defines a first circular opening 18 surrounded by an
annular lip 20 that is configured as an upstanding
right-cylindrical section. The annular lip 20 defines a right
cylindrical wall 22 on the interior of the opening. It is preferred
that the annular lip 20 upstands in a direction opposite that of
the rear face 15 so that the rear face 15 remains generally flat.
Preferably, the right cylindrical wall 22 defines a first central
axis 24 that is generally perpendicular to the plane of the rear
face 15 of the first flange 14, as best seen in FIG. 3.
[0029] The second flange 16 preferably defines a second opening 26
surrounded by an annular lip 28. The annular lip 28 preferably
upstands in an opposite direction from the rear face 17 of the
second flange 16, and, like the annular lip 20, extends in a
right-cylindrical section from the flange 16. The annular lip 28
preferably defines a right cylindrical wall 32 on the interior of
the second opening 26. The right cylindrical wall 32 preferably
defines a second central axis 34 that extends perpendicularly to
the rear face 17 of the second flange 16 as shown best in FIG. 3.
Thus, as shown in FIG. 3, the axes 24 and 34 of the first opening
18 and the second opening 26, respectively, intersect at a
90.degree. angle. The second flange 16 also preferably defines a
pair of through-going mounting openings 40 that are positioned to
surround the second opening 26. Preferably, the centers of the
mounting openings 40 are aligned with the center 44 of the second
opening 26 as shown in FIG. 4. Preferably, the mounting openings 40
are positioned relative to the second opening 26 on the second
flange 16 to correspond to similar latch plate mounting openings on
standard latch plates.
[0030] Preferably, the right cylindrical wall 22 defining the first
opening 18 is 2-1/8 inches in diameter, and the right cylindrical
wall 32 of the second opening 26 is 1 inch in diameter. In one
embodiment, these measurements allow the right cylindrical wall 22
of the first opening 18 to closely surround and guide a standard
holesaw having a 2-1/8 inch diameter within the opening 18 so that
the saw remains generally perpendicular to the rear face 15 during
the drilling process. Similarly, the right cylindrical wall 32 of
the opening 26 closely surrounds and is able to guide a smaller
standard-sized holesaw for drilling a hole of 1 inch in diameter,
thus keeping the holesaw perpendicular to the rear face 17 during
the drilling process.
[0031] FIG. 7 shows the forward edge of a door 200 that is being
prepared for drilling. FIG. 7 also illustrates the holesaws 100 and
102 adjacent the openings 18 and 26, respectively, on the drilling
guide 10 positioned on an undrilled door 200. The door 200
preferably includes a door face 202 and a door edge 204. As shown
in the drawing, the drilling guide 10 may be mounted to the door
200 so that the rear face 15 of the first flange 14 is positioned
flush to the door face 202 and the spacing ridges 50 on the rear
face 17 of the second flange 16 are positioned against the door
edge 204. This is shown in FIG. 8. The drilling guide 10 may be
mounted to the door edge 204 using a pair of screws 42 inserted
through the mounting openings 40 in the second flange 16.
Preferably, in the preferred embodiment, the screws 42 may be the
same screws that are provided with a conventional lockset.
Conveniently, once the drilling process is completed and the
drilling guide 10 is removed from the door 200, the screws 42 may
be reused to attach the latch plate to the door edge 204. The area
surrounding the newly drilled opening will of course require a
section properly mortised to fit the latch plate (not shown).
[0032] When the drilling guide 10 is mounted with the frame 12
against a conventional-edge door 200, the spacing ridges 50 are
positioned against a flat door edge 204. The proper positioning of
the rear face 15 of the first flange 14 against the door face 202
allows the plane of the rear face to be properly aligned
perpendicularly to the door edge 204, and the center line 44 of the
opening 26 aligned with the center line of door edge 204. This is
shown in FIGS. 7 and 8. When the drilling guide 10 is properly
positioned on the door 200, wherein the door is of a non-beveled
edge configuration, the spacing ridges 50 are positioned on the
edge 204 of the door as shown in FIG. 8. In the event that the door
includes a beveled edge 304 as shown in FIG. 9, the spacing ridges
50 properly provide stability to the second flange 16 and engage
the beveled edge 304 of the door 300.
[0033] Because the most often-used interior door sizes have
thicknesses of 1-3/8 inches and 1-3/4 inches, the drilling guide of
the present invention may be adjusted for use on doors having at
least these two thicknesses. In the preferred embodiment, the rear
face 15 of the first flange 14 is placed flush against the face 202
of the door 200 for a 1-3/4 inch thick standard door as shown in
FIG. 8. On thinner 1-3/8 inch doors, it is desirable to adjust the
guide so that the center line 44 of the second opening 26 on the
flange 16 is still properly positioned along the center line of the
edge of the thinner door. In order to accommodate this adjustment,
a plurality of removable spacing tabs 60 are provided in the
preferred embodiment. Preferably, the spacing tabs 60 are defined
with generally parallel opposed surfaces 62 and 64. The surface 62
of each tab 60 preferably includes an upstanding peg 66 that is
sized to removably engage a corresponding opening 68 on the rear
face 15 of the first flange 14. Preferably, each of the spacing
tabs 60 is flexibly attached by an integral, flexible strap 70 to
the frame 12. In the preferred embodiment, the three spacing tabs
60 are provided around the periphery of the first flange 14. The
straps 70 may be integrally molded of the same plastic or may
include molded-in or co-molded elastomeric rubber to provide more
flexibility.
[0034] In use, when it desired to use the drilling guide 10 on a
door of reduced standard thickness, the tabs 60 may be inserted
into each corresponding opening 68 in the rear face 15 as shown in
FIG. 6. The thickness of the tab 60, in particular the distance
between the opposed surfaces 62 and 64, raises the first flange 14
slightly above the face of the door on which it is installed. Thus,
the drilling guide 10 contacts the face of the reduced-thickness
door only via the surfaces 64 of the tabs 60 in this configuration.
This is shown in the top view of FIG. 10, which illustrates the
mounted guide 10 on a thinner door 400.
[0035] When it is desired to re-use the drilling guide 10 on a door
of increased standard thickness such as the door 200 shown in FIG.
8, the tabs 60 may be removed from the openings 68 and used as
described above. Note that in FIG. 8, the spacing tabs 60 are
allowed to flex away from the face 202 of the door 200 when the
guide 10 is mounted thereto. Thus, the drilling guide 10 may be
quickly reconfigured for use on various standard-sized doors.
[0036] It should be noted that further adjustment options may be
implemented in the preferred embodiment to allow use of the
drilling guide 10 on doors of a variety of thicknesses. For
example, a plurality of tabs of differing thicknesses may be
provided for use on doors having a variety of thicknesses.
Furthermore, the first opening 18 and the second opening 26 may be
modified to receive properly sized holesaws, and the collars may
also include an upstanding annulet or flange that varies the
spacing between the rear 15 and the face of the door. Other
alternative structures may of course be provided within the scope
of the invention.
[0037] In use, to enlarge existing lockset holes or otherwise drill
lockset holes in a blank door, the user need only take a few simple
steps. First, the user will set the drilling guide 10 for the
proper door thickness. If used on a thicker door such as the door
200 first, the spacing tabs 60 will be removed and remain unengaged
from the face 15 of the first flange 14 as shown in FIGS. 1-5 and
7-8. The drilling guide 10 is then positioned at the appropriate
height on the door 200 as shown in FIG. 7. Attachment screws 42
from the lockset are then inserted through the openings 40 in the
second flange 16 to firmly attach the drilling guide 10 to the edge
204 of the door 200. If desired, small pilot holes may be drilled
through the openings 40 before inserting the screws 42. Once the
drilling guide is mounted in place, the appropriately sized
holesaws 100 and 102 may be used to drill the properly sized
lockset holes in the door 200. The right cylindrical walls 22 and
32 of the first and second openings 18 and 26, respectively,
effectively guide the outer portions of the holesaws 100, 102
during the drilling operation. Once the holes are drilled in the
door 200, the user need only remove the screws 42 from the openings
40 to remove the drilling guide 10 from the door 200. The user may
then install the lockset and the latch plate using the screws 42
inserted into the previously made openings on the door edge
204.
[0038] The drilling guide 10 may then be adjusted for use on a door
having less thickness than the previous door 200, such as door 400
of FIG. 10. To adjust the drilling guide 10, the user inserts the
pegs 66 of the three spacing tabs 60 into the corresponding three
openings 68 on the rear face 17 of the second flange 16. The
drilling guide 10 is then mounted on the door as shown in FIG. 10,
and the same procedures are followed for drilling the holes in the
door as described above in conjunction with FIG. 7.
[0039] The frame 12 is preferably an integral, one-piece design
molded from a rigid and durable plastic material. Exemplary plastic
materials include ABS plastic, Lexan.RTM. or hard rubber materials.
Also, the frame may be constructed from machined or molded metal,
such as aluminum. In addition, the tabs 60 may be formed from
rubber or similar flexible material and the tabs 60 may be mated to
the frame 12 when the frame 12 is constructed from metal. It is
intended that various framing artifacts, such as the bulkheads 13,
may vary in position to provide proper support to the frame 12
depending on the particular material being used. In the
alternative, such artifacts and bulkheads 13 may be eliminated
completely as long as support to the shape of the frame 12 is
adequately maintained and depending on the material from which it
is constructed.
[0040] Of course, it should be understood that a wide range of
changes and modifications could be made to the preferred
embodiments described above. In particular, some of the specific
measurements noted herein may be changed without departing from the
invention. Thus, it is intended that the foregoing detailed
description be regarded as illustrative rather than limiting. The
scope of the invention is defined by the appended claims, and all
devise that come within the meaning of the claims, either literally
or by equivalence, are intended to be embraced therein.
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