U.S. patent number 3,886,688 [Application Number 05/432,973] was granted by the patent office on 1975-06-03 for fire resistant door frame assembly.
This patent grant is currently assigned to Ragland Manufacturing and Construction Company. Invention is credited to Douglas Ragland.
United States Patent |
3,886,688 |
Ragland |
June 3, 1975 |
FIRE RESISTANT DOOR FRAME ASSEMBLY
Abstract
A door frame assembly for mounting in a door opening in a wall
comprising a generally horizontal header section extending across
the top of the door opening and two generally vertical side
sections extending down opposite sides of the door opening. At
least one of the side sections has, at its upper end, means to
accommodate the contiguous end portion of at least a part of said
header section upon thermal longitudinal expansion of said pair of
the header section.
Inventors: |
Ragland; Douglas (Houston,
TX) |
Assignee: |
Ragland Manufacturing and
Construction Company (Houston, TX)
|
Family
ID: |
23718328 |
Appl.
No.: |
05/432,973 |
Filed: |
January 14, 1974 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
49/504; 52/211;
52/213 |
Current CPC
Class: |
E06B
1/02 (20130101); E06B 5/16 (20130101); E06B
1/12 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
E06B
1/12 (20060101); E06B 1/02 (20060101); E06B
5/10 (20060101); E06B 5/16 (20060101); E06B
1/00 (20060101); E06b 001/12 () |
Field of
Search: |
;49/504
;52/573,211,213 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Primary Examiner: Downey; Kenneth
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Browning & Bushman
Claims
I claim:
1. A door frame assembly for mounting in a door opening in a wall
comprising:
a header section, said header section including a partition cap
extending across the top of said door opening, said partition cap
being generally channel shaped and having a web and a pair of
limbs, said limbs extending downwardly toward said opening on
opposite sides of said wall and having cap limb surfaces facing
said door opening; and a fascia plate removably disposed in said
partition cap between said limbs and having opposite first and
second end portions and a lower surface disposed no lower than said
cap limb surfaces and facing said door opening;
means defining a first open space longitudinally adjacent said
first end portion of said fascia plate; and
vertically disposed first and second side sections on opposite
sides of said door opening, said first side section having an upper
end abutting said cap limb surfaces of said partition cap and
contiguous but unattached to said first end portion of said fascia
plate whereby said fascia plate can slide past said upper end of
said first side section and a part of said first end portion can
move into said first open space upon longitudinal expansion of said
fascia plate.
2. A door frame assembly according to claim 1 further comprising
means defining a second open space adjacent said second end portion
of said fascia plate and wherein said second side section has an
upper end abutting said cap limb surfaces of said partition cap and
contiguous but unattached to said second end portion of said fascia
plate whereby said fascia plate can slide past said upper end of
said second side section and a part of said second end portion can
move into said second open space upon longitudinal expansion of
said fascia plate.
3. A door frame assembly according to claim 1 wherein said lower
surface of said fascia plate is flush with said cap limb
surfaces.
4. A door frame assembly according to claim 1 wherein said side
section is attached to said partition cap by an L-shaped clip
having a side leg lying along said first side section opposite said
door opening and a top leg lying along said partition cap and
disposed to extend away from said door opening, said side leg
having a portion offset longitudinally outwardly with respect to
said first end portion of said fascia plate and disposed to receive
said part of said first end portion upon longitudinal expansion of
said fascia plate.
5. A door frame assembly according to claim 1 wherein said fascia
plate is secured to a support member lying above said fascia plate
and extending for substantially the entire length of said fascia
plate.
6. A door frame assembly according to claim 5 wherein said
partition cap has a pair of flanges extending downwardly from said
web portion between said limbs, said flanges defining a support
channel therebetween, said support member attached to said fascia
plate being disposed in said channel.
7. A door frame assembly according to claim 4 wherein said fascia
plate includes a top doorstop extending downwardly from and
longitudinally along said lower surface between said side sections,
and wherein said first side section has a portion aligned with said
top doorstop defining an opening for receipt of said top doorstop
upon longitudinal expansion of said header section.
8. A door frame assembly according to claim 7 wherein said doorstop
has a channel extending along substantially its entire length and
wherein there is a rigid, fire resistant insert removably disposed
in said channel, said insert having rigid skirt extending
downwardly from said doorstop and being spaced from said side
sections by a distance sufficient to accommodate thermal
longitudinal expansion of said insert.
9. A door frame assembly according to claim 8 wherein said insert
is comprised of a metal.
10. A door frame assembly for mounting in a door opening in a wall
comprising:
a generally horizontal header section disposed across the top of
said door opening and having opposite first and second end
portions;
generally vertical first and second side sections disposed on
opposite sides of said door opening, said side sections each being
generally channel shaped in cross section having an elongate web
and a pair of limbs extending laterally from respective long edges
of said web for embracing opposite sides of said wall adjacent said
opening, said opposite end portions of said header section each
having parts disposed between said first and second side sections
and said parts of said first end portion lying contiguous the upper
end of said first side section, said first side section being
unattached to said first end portion of said header section, and
the web of said first side section having a first relief opening
aligned with said first end portion of said header section and
disposed to receive said contiguous parts of said first end portion
of said header section upon longitudinal expansion of said header
section.
11. A door frame assembly according to claim 10 wherein said parts
of said second end portion lie contiguous the upper end of said
second side section and said web of said second side section has a
second relief opening aligned with said second end portion of said
header section and disposed to receive said contiguous parts of
said second end portion of said header section upon longitudinal
expansion of said header section.
12. A door frame assembly according to claim 10 wherein said limbs
of said first side section have top portions extending upwardly
beyond an upper edge of said web, said top portions having side
limb edges facing said door opening, and wherein said upper edge of
said web and said side limb edges define said first relief
opening.
13. A door frame assembly according to claim 12 wherein said header
section is generally channel shaped having an elongate web and a
pair of limbs extending laterally from respective long edges of
said web for embracing opposite sides of said wall adjacent said
door opening, said header limbs having end edges at said first end
portion, said end edges being in abuttment with said side limb
edges, said end edges being outwardly bevelled, and said side limb
edges being inwardly bevelled, whereby said header limbs can slide
between said top portions of said side limbs upon longitudinal
expansion of said header section.
14. A door frame assembly according to claim 13 wherein said web of
said header section includes a tongue at said first end portion
extending longitudinally outwardly beyond said header limbs and
disposed above said upper edge of said web of said first side
section between said top portions of said side limbs, said tongue,
said top portions of said side limbs, and said upper edge of said
web of said first side section comprising aligning means for
aligning said header section with said first side section.
15. A door frame assembly according to claim 13 wherein said header
section further comprises a doorstop extending downwardly from and
longitudinally along said header web between said side sections,
and wherein said web of said first side section has an opening for
receipt of said doorstop upon longitudinal expansion of said header
section.
16. A door frame assembly according to claim 15 wherein said top
doorstop defines a channel extending along substantially its entire
length and wherein there is a rigid, fire resistant insert
removably disposed in said channel, said insert having a rigid
skirt extending downwardly from said top doorstop and being spaced
from said side sections by a distance sufficient to accommodate
thermal longitudinal expansion of said insert.
17. A door frame assembly according to claim 16 wherein said insert
is comprised of a metal.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to door frame assemblies for mounting
in door openings in walls of buildings. In particular, the door
frame assembly of the invention is designed to resist or prevent
the spread of fire through the door opening in which it is
installed. Thus, a fire which starts in one part of a building will
be prevented from spreading to other parts of the building, or the
spread of the fire will be significantly retarded so that there
will be a greater chance of extinguishing the fire before it can do
maximum damage.
2. Description of the Prior Art
In the construction of modern buildings it is becoming increasingly
popular to provide pre-fabricated door and window frame assemblies
which can be installed in door openings provided in the walls of a
building when it is being constructed. Many of these frames are
removable and replaceable. Still others are adjustable to various
sizes of door openings.
In construction of such frame assemblies, metals, particularly
lightweight metals such as aluminum, are frequently used. Metal
frames per se are more resistant to fire than traditional wooden
frames. However, because metals have a greater thermal coefficient
of expansion than wood, another problem is introduced in the case
of a fire. The header section of the frame, which extends across
the top of the door opening, tends to expand longitudinally as it
is heated. In prior art frame assemblies, the header section firmly
abuts either the side sections or the sides of the door opening, or
it is rigidly secured to the side sections or to the openings, so
that longitudinal expansion without distortion is impossible. Thus,
the header section, or some part thereof, will buckle as it expands
creating a gap or opening at the top of the doorway. This not only
allows air to flow into the area in which the fire is located, thus
ventilating the fire, but also allows flames to escape through the
gap in the doorway to other parts of the building.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The door frame assembly of the present invention is designed to
minimize such fire hazards by providing for longitudinal expansion
of the header section, or at least a major part thereof, without
buckling. The invention can be adapted for doorway designs both
with and without partition caps.
In one embodiment of the invention, the header section includes a
partition cap which is generally channel shaped and has an elongate
web extending across the top of the door opening and a pair of cap
limbs extending downwardly from the long edges of the web toward
the door opening. The limbs have respective cap limb surfaces
facing said doorway. The cap limbs are spaced apart and a fascia
plate is removably disposed in said partition cap between said
limbs. The fascia plate extends across the door opening and has
opposite end portions as well as a lower surface facing into the
door opening. The lower surface is disposed no lower than the cap
limb surfaces which are abutted by the upper end of at least one of
the side sections. Thus, the end portion of the fascia plate can
slide past the upper end of the side section upon longitudinal
expansion so that the fascia plate does not buckle.
In a preferred embodiment both side sections are designed to
accommodate longitudinal expansion of the fascia plate as described
above. One or both of the side sections may also be attached via a
support member to the partition cap at the upper end by an L-shaped
clip. One leg of the clip lies along the side section opposite the
door opening and the other leg lies along the partition cap
extending away from the door opening. The leg which lies along the
side section has a portion which is longitudinally outwardly offset
with respect to the adjacent end portion of the fascia plate and
disposed to receive this end portion upon longitudinal expansion of
the fascia plate.
In another embodiment, the header section does not include a
partition cap. The side sections comprise generally channel shaped
members each having an elongate web extending along one side of the
door opening and a pair of side limbs extending laterally from the
long edges of each web to embrace opposite sides of the wall. At
the upper end of one or both of the side sections, the web is cut
away to define a relief opening to receive contiguous parts of one
of the end portions of the header section. The end portion of the
header section may comprise a tongue extending longitudinally
outwardly and disposed on the upper edge of the web of the adjacent
side section between the upper portions of the side limbs to align
the header and side sections and to support the header section.
In either of the two embodiments the header section may comprise a
doorstop extending downwardly from the header and along
substantially its entire length. The doorstop may have a channel in
which is disposed a rigid, fire-resistant insert having a skirt
extending downwardly from the doorstop along substantially its
entire length. The insert is instrumental in preventing flames from
escaping across the door opening between the door and the header
section and also in preventing flow of air toward the fire between
the door and the header.
Thus, one object of the present invention is to provide a door
frame assembly having a header section and two side sections in
which at least one of the side sections is designed to accommodate
longitudinal expansion of at least a part of the header
section.
Another object of the invention is to provide a door frame assembly
as described above in which the header section includes a partition
cap and a fascia plate, and in which one end of the fascia plate is
supported above the upper end of the adjacent side section so that
it can slide past said upper end upon longitudinal expansion of the
fascia plate.
Still another object of the present invention is to provide a door
frame assembly in which a side section is connected to a partition
cap by an L-shaped clip, said clip having an offset portion to
receive an end portition of a fascia plate in the header
section.
Yet another object of the invention is to provide a door frame
assembly in which the side sections comprise channel shaped
members, and wherein at least one of these members has a web facing
into the door opening and having a relief opening for receipt of
contiguous parts of an end portion of the header section.
A further object of the invention is to provide a door frame
assembly in which the header section is provided with a fire
resistant doorstep insert.
Other objects, features and advantages of the present invention
will be made apparent by the following detailed description and
claims and by the drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of one embodiment of the invention, in
which the header section comprises a partition cap, with parts
broken away.
FIG. 2 is a transverse sectional view taken along lines 2--2 of
FIG. 1.
FIG. 3 is a transverse sectional view taken along lines 3--3 in
FIG. 1.
FIG. 4 is a perspective view of one end of the header section of
another embodiment of the invention in which the header section
does not include a partition cap.
FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the upper end of the side section
designed to mate with the header end portion of FIG. 4.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
Referring now to FIGS. 1-3 there is shown a first embodiment in
which the door frame assembly has a header section comprising a
partition cap 10 which is generally channel shaped. The partition
cap 10 includes a cap web 26 which extends across the top of a door
opening. Cap limbs 28 also elongated in the same direction as the
cap web 26 extend downwardly from the opposed long edges 30 of the
cap web 26. The partition cap 10 as shown extends somewhat beyond
the sides of the door opening and it will be understood that it
could extend all along the length of a wall in which the door
opening is disposed, the upper edge of the wall lying between the
cap limbs 28.
The cap limbs 28 have cap limb surfaces 32 at their lower edges
facing downwardly toward the door opening. A fascia plate 12 is
removably secured between the lower portions of the cap limbs 28 by
snap connections 34. The fascia plate 12 is elongated to extend
across the top of the door opening and has a lower surface 36
facing into the door opening. The surface 36 may be substantially
flush with the cap limb surfaces 32 as shown or it may disposed
slightly above them. However, the surface 36 should be no lower
than the surface 32. The fascia plate 12 has end portions 38 which
lie contiguous the side sections 40 and 42 of the door frame
assembly. The upper ends of the side sections 40 and 42 abut the
cap limb surfaces 32, and it will be appreciated that the end
portions of the fascia plate 12 can thus slide past the side
sections 40 and 42 upon longitudinal expansion of the fascia plate
without buckling of the fascia plate.
Each of the side sections 40 and 42 comprises a channel shaped
member having a vertically elongated side web 24, 44 facing into
the doorway. Each side web has a pair of limbs, e.g. limbs 46, 48
on side section 42, extending transversely from the long or side
web edges away from the door opening so as to embrace opposite
sides of the wall in which the door opening is disposed. The
channel shaped members of the side sections may be backed up and
braced by support members. As shown with respect to side section
42, the support member comprises an elongate stud 22 lying against
spacers 50 on the surface of web 24 which faces away from the door
opening. Flanges 52 extend transversely from stud 22 away from the
door opening. As shown in FIG. 2, sheetrock or the like forming the
wall may be disposed between each flange 52 and the adjacent side
limb 46 or 48 as shown at 54 and 56.
The side web 24 is secured to the stud 22 by bolts, screws or the
like as shown at 58. The heads of the screws may be hidden by a
doorstop 60 which extends along the length of the web 24. As shown,
the doorstop 60 may form a channel shaped opening 64 through which
screws 58 are inserted. Opening 64 is then closed by the insertion
of an insert 62.
As shown with respect to side 42, the upper end of the side section
may be secured to the partition cap via stud 22 by means of an
L-shaped clip having a side leg 20 lying along the side web 24 with
stud 22 being interposed between the leg 20 and web 24 at the lower
part of the clip, and a top leg 16 extending away from the door
opening at the top of leg 20 and lying along the partition cap 10.
The lower portion of side leg 20 is secured in raceways 66 in the
stud 22 and may be further secured to the stud 22 and the web 24 by
a bolt or screw 68. The top leg 16 is secured to the underside of
the cap web 26 by a screw 70 or other suitable means. The uppermost
part of side leg 20 is offset outwardly away from the door opening
as shown at 18. This offset portion 18 is aligned with the adjacent
end portion of the fascia plate 12 so as to receive said end
portion upon longitudinal expansion of the fascia plate. Top leg 16
and offset portion 18 of side leg 20 of the L-shaped clip are
braced by a right triangular plate 14 which may be welded in place
transversely to the L-shaped clip with its right angle disposed in
the corner formed by the two legs of the clip.
It will be understood that in the case of a fire, if the fascia
plate 12 begins to expand longitudinally, the end portion thereof
which is closest to side section 42 can slide past the upper end of
side section 42 and into the offset portion 18 of leg 20 of the
L-shaped clip. Preferrably, the other side section 40 is
constructed in the same manner. It upper end abuts the cap limb
surfaces 32, and it is backed up by a stud 78 and secured via stud
78 to the cap web 26 by an L-shaped clip as described above. Thus,
both side section 40 and 42 can accommodate the respective end
portions 38 of the fascia plate 12 upon expansion thereof. It will
be appreciated that the hinge side of the door frame assembly, in
this case side section 40, may have cut out portions 80 in its side
web 44 exposing the stud 78. Thus, the weight of the door can be
borne by the stud 78 rather than by the decorative and relatively
delicate web of the side section.
Formed on or secured to the fascia plate 12 is a top doorstop 72
which lies along substantially the entire length of the fascia
plate and extends downwardly therefrom into the door opening. A
rigid insert 74 formed of a fire resistant material, such as a
metal, is removably disposed in a channel 88 extending along
substantially the entire length of the top doorstop 72. The side
web 24 has a portion aligned with doorstop 72 which is cut away to
define an opening for receipt of doorstop 72 upon longitudinal
expansion thereof in a manner to be more fully described in
connection with the embodiment of FIGS. 4 and 5. The insert 74
includes a skirt 86 extending downwardly toward the door opening
along substantially the entire length of the insert. The skirt 86,
however, does not extend so far as to abut the side sections 42 and
44. Rather, the skirt 86 and possibly the entire insert 74 is
spaced from the side sections by a distance sufficient to allow
longitudinal thermal expansion of the insert.
As best seen in FIG. 3 the partition cap 10 comprises a pair of
flanges 82 extending downwardly from the cap web 26 parallel to,
but spaced inwardly from, the cap limbs 28. The flanges 82 define a
support channel. A support member 84 such as a wooden plank is
fitted into the support channel between the flanges 82 and serves
as a support member and brace for the fascia plate 12 which lies
against it. The fascia plate 12 is secured to the support member by
screws 76 or the like which pass through the top doorstop 72 in
various places along its length.
Turning now to FIGS. 4 and 5, there is shown a second embodiment
designed for frame assemblies in which the header section does not
include a partition cap. In this embodiment the header section is
channel shaped having a header web 90 which extends across the top
of the door opening and a pair of header limbs 92 which extend
upwardly from the long edges of the header web 90 to embrace
opposite sides of the wall in which the door opening is disposed. A
top doorstop 94, similar to the top doorstop 72 of FIGS. 1-3, is
formed on the lower surface of the header web 90 and has a rigid,
fire resistant insert 96 removably disposed in a channel
therein.
Each of the side sections of the second embodiment is also channel
shaped having a side web 98 extending along its respective side of
the door opening and side limbs 100 extending along its respective
side of the door opening and side limbs 100 extending transversely
away from the door opening from the long edges of the side web 98
to embrace the opposite sides of the wall. At the upper end of the
side section, the side web 98 is cut away so that its upper edge
102 is lower than the top portions of the side limbs 100. Thus, a
relief opening 104 is defined which is aligned with the end portion
of the header section and into which the contiguous parts of the
end portion of the header section can extend upon longitudinal
expansion thereof. The upper edge 102 of the side web 98 is further
cut away at 106 to accommodate doorstop 94 when the header section
expands. As in the first embodiment, the skirt 108 of insert 96
does not extend into abutment with the side section but is spaced
therefrom by a distance sufficient to accommodate longitudinal
thermal expansion of the insert 96.
The end portion of the header web 90 has an extension or tongue 110
which extends longitudinally outwardly away from the door opening
beyond the end edges 112 of the header limbs 92. These end edges
112 are outwardly bevelled. On the side section the side limb edges
114 of the top portions of side limbs 100 which extend upwardly
beyond the upper edge 102 of the side web are inwardly bevelled.
Under ordinary conditions in an assembled frame, the tongue 110
rests on the upper edge 102 of the side web 98 between the top
portions of the side limbs 100 supporting the header section with
respect to the side section and together with the upper edge 102 of
side web 98 and the top portions of side limbs 100, forming
aligning means for the header and side sections. At the same time,
each of the outwardly bevelled end edges 112 abuts the adjacent
inwardly bevelled side limb edge 114. This further serves to align
the header and side sections. If a fire occurs and the header
section begins to expand longitudinally, the bevelling of the edges
112 and 114 allows the header section to pass between the top
portions of the side limbs 100 into the relief opening 104.
It will be understood that the side section could be supported by a
stud similar to 22 of the embodiment of FIGS. 1-3. The stud, of
course, would not extend upwardly beyond the upper edge 102 of the
side web 98 nor above the cut away 106 in that area. Similary, the
header section could be supported by a stud or other type of
bracing member. It will also be appreciated that the free ends of
the header and side limbs 92 and 100 are provided with channel
connections 116 for receiving dowels for splicing the header and
side sections.
* * * * *