Adjustable Door Buck Spreader

Abstract

An adjustable self-supporting door buck spreader is provided which is adapted for use in the installation of door frames of different sizes, and particularly for door frames which are made of metal. The door buck spreader comprises a pair of overlapping elongated members each having buck engaging means provided at one end thereof, measuring means for indicating the distance between the buck engaging means, first adjustment means for adjusting the distance between the buck engaging means, and second adjustment means for adjusting the buck engaging means for use with door bucks having different size ribs. Each of the buck engaging means includes magnetic means operable for magnetically holding the door buck spreader in engagement with the bucks of a metal door frame thereby to enable the door buck spreader to be self-supporting. To employ the door buck spreader, the pair of elongated members are extended until the measuring means indicates that the distance between the buck engaging means corresponds to the width desired for the door openings. The door buck spreader is then positioned between the bucks of the door frame so that the buck engaging means of the spreader are in engagement therewith. Thereafter, with the door buck spreader operating to maintain the door bucks spaced apart the desired distance, the door frame is anchored to the floor or other suitable supporting surface.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Those skilled in the art of carpentry have long recognized that the key to installing a door frame properly lies in ensuring that the door bucks, i.e., door jambs of the door frame are maintained spaced apart the desired distance during the period in which the door frame is being anchored to the floor. As a result, a variety of different types of devices have been devised, as evidenced by reference to the prior art, heretofore for use in spreading the door bucks of a door frame while the latter is being installed.

Notwithstanding the fact that there have been a number of such devices available previously, relatively limited use has nevertheless been made thereof heretodate. In part, this appears to be attributable to the fact that these prior art devices have proven in many instances to be relatively awkward to transport from job to job, and have many times been characterized by their inability to provide measurements with the degree of accuracy which is needed in order to properly install a door frame. In addition, the cost of many of these devices has been such that they are too expensive to be purchased by each individual workman. Also, as the use of metal door frames has become more prevalent, the fact that in such door frames the rib is generally formed integrally with the door bucks thereby providing a raised surface has restricted the use of many of the prior art forms of devices which were originally developed for use with wooden door frames, because such devices in order to be capable of being utilized required flat surfaces.

As a result, a common practice followed by many workmen in installing door frames is to on each job take a piece of wood and cut it to the desired size for the door opening. This piece of wood is then utilized as a spreader to keep the door bucks spread while the door frame is being anchored to the floor. One of the disadvantages of this practice is that generally it is found that only one use can be made of such a piece of wood because the size of different door openings vary. Further, it is not feasible for the individual workman to transport a piece of wood several feet in length from one job location to another job location. However, the major disadvantage of this approach is that in the majority of instances, there does not exist at the job site a piece of wood which is suitable for the aforedescribed use.

Lacking some form of means for spreading the door bucks, the procedure which is conventionally followed is to have one workman hold a ruler across the door opening for purposes of establishing and maintaining the door bucks spaced apart the desired distance while another workman is supporting and anchoring the door frame to the floor.

Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a novel and improved adjustable door buck spreader for use in installing door frames of different sizes, and particularly door frames which are made of metal.

It is also an object of the present invention to provide such an adjustable door buck spreader which is easily transportable from one job location to another.

Another object of the present invention is to provide such an adjustable door buck spreader wherein magnetic means are employed whereby the spreader is capable of functioning in a self-supporting fashion.

A further object of the present invention is to provide such an adjustable door buck spreader which includes adjustment means operable to enable the spreader to be employed with metal door frames which embody integrally formed ribs of different sizes.

A still further object of the present invention is to provide such an adjustable door buck spreader which is also capable of being employed to install masonry door frames.

Yet another object of the present invention is to provide such an adjustable door buck spreader which is easy to employ, is relatively inexpensive to manufacture, and through the use thereof enables door frames to be properly installed by a single workman.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It has now been found that the foregoing and related objects can be readily attained by means of an adjustable door buck spreader which is operable for use in installing door frames. The subject door buck spreader includes a pair of elongated members, buck engaging means mounted at the ends of the pair of elongated members, measuring means, first adjustment means, and second adjustment means. The first adjustment means includes means securing the pair of elongated members together so that the latter members are capable of sliding movement relative to each other whereby the distance between the buck engaging means provided at the ends thereof is adjustable thereby enabling the spreader to be employed for installing door frames having different size door openings. The second adjustment means is operable for adjusting the buck engaging means whereby to enable the latter to be utilized with door frames having ribs formed integrally therewith which are of different sizes. The measuring means comprises suitable indicia formed on the elongated members and operable to indicate the distance which exists between the buck engaging means. To employ the spreader, the pair of elongated members are extended until the measuring means indicates that the distance between the buck engaging means corresponds to the width desired for the door opening. The door buck spreader is then positioned between the bucks of the door frame so that the buck engaging means of the spreader are in engagement therewith. Thereafter, with the door buck spreader operating to maintain the door bucks spaced apart the desired distance the floor frame is anchored to the floor or other suitable supporting surface.

In accordance with the preferred embodiment of the invention, the first adjustment means includes a channel which is formed in one surface of one of the pair of elongated members and which extends the entire length of the latter member, structure formed on the other of the pair of elongated members cooperable with the aforedescribed channel, and fastening means which functions to releasably secure the pair of elongated members together in different positions relative to each other. More particularly, the other of the pair of elongated members is substantially T-shaped in cross section and is dimensioned so that a portion thereof is receivable within the channel whereby the pair of elongated members are capable of sliding relative to each other between extended and retracted positions. The buck engaging means comprises a pair of plates which are mounted on the pair of elongated members with one plate being fastened to the free end of each member. These plates are each provided with a pair of magnets which are operable for magnetically holding the door buck spreader in engagement with the bucks of a metal door frame thereby to enable the door buck spreader to be self-supporting. The second adjustment means referred to above functions to mount each pair of magnets on a plate so that the magnets of each pair thereof are supported in spaced relation relative to each other and so that the spacing between the magnets which comprise each pair thereof may be adjusted to enable ribs of different sizes to be received therebetween.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a top plan view of an adjustable door buck spreader constructed in accordance with the present invention, and illustrated in the extended position with the buck engaging means thereof in engagement with a pair of door bucks;

FIG. 2 is a top plan view of an adjustable door buck spreader constructed in accordance with the present invention illustrated in the retracted position;

FIG. 3 is a cross sectional view of an adjustable door buck spreader constructed in accordance with the present invention taken substantially along the line 3--3 in FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a side elevational view of a portion of an adjustable door buck spreader constructed in accordance with the present invention illustrating one of the buck engaging means thereof;

FIG. 5 is a top plan view on an enlarged scale and partially in section of one of the buck engaging means of a door buck spreader constructed in accordance with the present invention illustrating the magnets thereof located in a first position; and

FIG. 6 is a top plan view similar to FIG. 5 of one of the buck engaging means of a door buck spreader constructed in accordance with the present invention illustrating the magnets thereof located in a second position.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE ILLUSTRATED EMBODIMENT

Referring now to the drawings and more particularly FIGS. 1 and 2 thereof, there is illustrated therein an adjustable door buck spreader, generally designated by reference numeral 10, constructed in accordance with the present invention. The spreader 10 includes a pair of elongated members 12 and 14. The member 12 has a channel 16 formed therein for a purpose yet to be described. The channel 16 extends the entire length of member 12 and is approximately T-shaped in configuration. More specifically, the channel 16 is comprised of a base portion 16a and a portion 16b which extends perpendicularly to the base portion 16a and has a width which is less than the width of the base portion 16a.

The member 14 as best understood with reference to FIG. 3 of the drawings has a generally T-shaped cross section which is formed by a base portion 14a which has a greater width than a portion 14b which is supported on the base portion 14a. In accordance with the preferred form of the invention, the portion 14b is preferably formed integrally with the base portion 14a. Member 14 is suitable dimensioned relative to the member 12 so that the base portion 14a and portion 14b of member 14 are receivable within the base portion 16a and portion 16b, respectively, of channel 16 whereby the member 14 is supported on the member 12. In a manner which will be referred to more fully hereinafter, the channel 16 of member 12 and the base portion 14a of member 14 comprise a first adjustment means. The latter first adjustment means functions to enable the members 12 and 14 to slide relative to each other whereby the distance between the free ends of the members 12 and 14 can be adjusted.

Referring again to FIGS. 1 and 2 of the drawings, as seen therein the members 12 and 14 are slidable relative to each other between an extended position as shown in FIG. 1 and a retracted position as shown in FIG. 2. The members 12 and 14 are capable of being moved relative to each other to any position which lies between the extended and retracted positions thereof depicted in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, respectively. This is accomplished merely by unloosening the fastener 18, moving the members 12 and 14 relative to each other until they occupy the desired position, and then retightening the fastener 18. The fastener 18 is operable to securely retain the members 12 and 14 positioned in the desired manner relative to each other. The fastener 18 may take the form of any suitable fastening means such as for example a wing bolt as shown in FIG. 3 of the drawings. With reference to the latter figure, as depicted therein the wing bolt 18 is threadedly received in a threaded opening 20 provided for this purpose in the side wall 12a of member 12. The opening 20 extends from the external surface of side wall 12a to the channel 16 whereby the fastener 18 extends through the opening 20 into engagement with one of the side walls of the base portion 14a of member 14.

Turning again to FIG. 2 of the drawings, as shown therein portion 14b of member 14 is provided on its outer surface with a measuring means 20. The latter measuring means 20 consists of suitable indicia marks in the form of a plurality of scale gradations which are calibrated so as to provide an accurate measurement of the distance between two points as will be set forth more fully hereinafter in connection with the description of the method of using the spreader 10. At this time it is deemed sufficient to merely point out that the scale gradations 22 which are provided on member 14 are alignable with the arrow 24 which is provided on the outer surface 12b of member 12 adjacent one end thereof. By reading the scale gradation 22 which appears below the arrow 24, a measurement is obtained which corresponds to the distance which exists between the opposite ends of the spreader 10.

The spreader 10 further includes a pair of buck engaging means 26 and 28. Inasmuch as the buck engaging means 26 and 28 are each of substantially identical construction for purposes of obtaining an understanding of the present invention, it is deemed sufficient to set forth hereinafter a description of only one of the buck engaging means. Accordingly, with reference to FIGS. 4-6 of the drawings, and more specifically the buck engaging means 26 illustrated therein, the latter as shown therein includes a plate 30 which is mounted at the free end of elongated member 14 so that the major axis of plate 30 extends substantially at right angles to the member 14. For purposes of securing the plate 30 to the member 14, in accord with the preferred form of the invention, the plate 30 as best understood with reference to FIG. 4 of the drawings is provided with a cut out portion 32 located approximately at the center thereof. The cut out portion 32 is suitably dimensioned so as to be capable of receiving the free end of member 14 in such a manner that when the end of member 14 is inserted into the cut out portion 32 the upper surface of the member 14 is flush with the upper surface of plate 30 viewed with reference to FIG. 4 of the drawings. The member 14 and the plate 30 are retained together in the aforedescribed assembled condition preferably through the use of a pair of conventional fasteners 34. The latter fasteners 34 are received in a pair of suitably spaced openings (not shown) provided for this purpose in the member 14, and are threaded into a pair of threaded openings (not shown) provided in the plate 30, the latter openings being alignable with the aforementioned openings (not shown) provided in the member 14.

Referring again to FIGS. 4-6 of the drawings, as shown therein the plate 30 further includes a longitudinally extending slot 36 which is formed in one of the long sides thereof, i.e., the side of plate 30 designated by the reference numeral 30a. The slot 36 functions to receive therein a pair of magnets 38 and 40 which are operable for a purpose which will be described subsequently. Accordingly, the width of slot 36 is dimensioned so as to correspond to the thickness of the magnets 38 and 40 whereby to enable the latter to be received within the slot 36 with a relatively tight fit. For a purpose which will be set forth subsequently, the magnets 38 and 40 are mountable in the slot 36 in either of two positions. In this regard, the magnets 38 and 40 may be mounted in the slot 36 either in a first position wherein they are spaced apart by the distance designated by the letter A in FIG. 5 of the drawings, or in a second position wherein they are spaced apart by the distance which is designated by the letter B in FIG. 6. The magnets 38 and 40 are detachably secured in the slot 36 in either of the two aforedescribed positions by suitable securing means, which as depicted in the drawings preferably takes the form of a pair of threaded bolts 42 and 44. The bolts 42 and 44 pass through a pair of openings 46, only one of which is visible in the drawings, which are formed for this purpose in spaced relation in the plate 30, and are threadedly received in threaded openings formed for this purpose in the magnets 38 and 40 such as for example the illustrated opening 48 in magnet 40. As most clearly understood with reference to FIG. 5 of the drawings, the threaded openings 48 are positioned in the magnets 38 and 40 so as to be located off center therein.

Because the openings 48 in which the bolts 42 and 44 are threaded are located off center in the magnets 38 and 40, the distance by which the magnets 38 and 40 are spaced apart relative to each other can be readily varied. More particularly, this can be accomplished simply by unthreading the bolts 42 and 44 from the openings 48, removing the magnets 38 and 40 from the slot 36, turning the magnets 38 and 40 end for end, then reinserting the magnets 38 and 40 into the slot 36, and finally once again threading the bolts 42 and 44 into the openings 48. The threaded openings 48 function to divide the magnets 38 and 40 each into a narrow portion and a wide portion, the latter portions being defined as the areas lying between the sides of the openings 48 and the outer side surfaces of the magnets 38 and 40. With reference to FIG. 5 of the drawings, this is exemplified therein by the portions of magnet 40 which are designated 40a and 40b for the wide portion and the narrow portion thereof, respectively. Thus, by mounting the magnets 38 and 40 in the slot 36 so that the wide portions of each of the magnets 38 and 40 are closest together in the manner illustrated in FIG. 5 of the drawings, the distance by which the magnets 38 and 40 are spaced apart, i.e., the distance designated by the letter A therein is less than when the magnets 38 and 40 are mounted in the slot 36 so that the narrow portions thereof are closest together as shown in FIG. 6 wherein the magnets 38 and 40 are depicted spaced apart by a distance designated therein by the letter B.

Although the description in the preceding paragraphs has been limited to setting forth the structural details of the buck engaging means 26, as was mentioned earlier the construction of the buck engaging means 28 is substantially identical to the aforedescribed construction of the buck engaging means 26, and as such reference may be had thereto for a detailed explanation of the construction of buck engaging means 28. Briefly, however, in this connection it can be seen with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2 of the drawings that the buck engaging means 28 comprises a plate 50, a pair of magnets 52 and 54 which are mounted in spaced relation in a suitable slot (not shown) which is similar in nature to the slot 36 formed in the plate 30, and are detachably secured therein by means of threaded bolts 56 and 58 so as to be capable of being mounted in either of two positions. The plate 50 is supported at the free end of the elongated member 12. For this purpose, the plate 50 is provided with a cut out portion (not shown) similar to the aforedescribed cut out portion 32 formed in plate 30. The cut out portion (not shown) formed in the plate 50 is dimensioned so as to be capable of receiving therein the end of member 12 whereby when the latter end of member 12 is positioned in the cut out portion of plate 50 the external surface, as viewed with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2 of the drawings, of member 12 is flush with the outer surface of the plate 50. The plate 50 and member 12 are preferably fixedly secured together in the assembled condition as depicted in FIGS. 1 and 2 of the drawings by means of suitable securing means such as for example by a pair of fasteners 60 and 62 which pass through openings (not shown) provided therefor in the member 12 and are threadedly engaged in threaded openings (not shown) provided for this purpose in the plate 50.

There will now be set forth a description of the method of employment of the adjustable door buck spreader 10. In this connection, reference will be had to FIGS. 1 and 2 of the drawings. With the elongated members 12 and 14 in their retracted positions, i.e., the positions which the members 12 and 14 occupy in FIG. 2 of the drawings, the wing bolt 18 is unloosened to permit the members 12 and 14 to be slid relative to each other. The members 12 and 14 are extended until the scale gradation 22 which appears below the arrow 24 corresponds to the desired width of the door frame which is to be installed. In this connection, it is to be noted that the scale gradations 22 of the measuring means 20 are calibrated so that the number which appears below the arrow 24 represents the distance measured in inches between the outer ends of the magnets 38 and 40 of the buck engaging means 26 and the outer ends of the magnets 52 and 54 of the buck engaging means 28. Next the wing bolt 18 is retightened to secure the members 12 and 14 together so that they bear the proper relationship relative to each other, i.e., so that the distance measured between the ends of the magnets 38 and 40 and the ends of the magnets 52 and 54 equals the distance desired to exist between the door bucks, i.e., jambs of the door frame being installed. With the elongated members 12 and 14 extended relative to each other to the desired extent, the spreader 10 is inserted between the door bucks of the door frame in the manner exemplified in FIG. 1 of the drawings wherein buck engaging means 26 is depicted in engagement with door buck 64 and buck engaging means 28 is depicted in engagement with door buck 66. As illustrated in FIG. 1 of the drawings, the door bucks 64 and 66 comprise portions of a metal door frame. The door bucks 64 and 66 as such each have a rib 68 and 70, respectively, formed integrally therewith. As a result, it can be seen with reference to FIG. 1 of the drawings that when buck engaging means 26 and 28 are in engagement with the door bucks 64 and 66, respectively, the rib 68 is positioned in the space which exists between the magnets 38 and 40, and the rib 70 is positioned between the magnets 52 and 54. In the event that the ribs 68 and 70 had a width which exceeded the distance by which the magnets 38 and 40 and the magnets 52 and 54, respectively, were spaced apart, the distance between the magnets 38 and 40, and between the magnets 52 and 54 could be increased in the manner described previously hereinabove wherein the magnets 38 and 40, and the magnets 52 and 54, are turned end for end, i.e., reversed so that they occupy the positions depicted in FIG. 6 of the drawings for the magnets 38 and 40. It is, of course, to be understood that although not shown in FIG. 6, the magnets 52 and 54 would be positioned relative to each other in the same manner as the magnets 38 and 40 shown therein.

Continuing with the description of the method of use of the spreader 10, with the latter positioned between the door bucks 64 and 66 in the manner described above, the magnetic attraction between the magnets 38 and 40 and the door buck 64, and between the magnets 52 and 54 and the door buck 66 is sufficient to render the spreader 10 self-supporting whereby the spreader 10 is operable without the need for any other external support means to maintain the proper spacing between the door bucks 64 and 66. The door bucks 64 and 66 are then anchored in conventional fashion by means of suitable securing means to the floor or other suitable supporting surface. After the door frame has been installed in the aforedescribed manner, the spreader 10 is removed from between the door bucks 64 and 66 by unloosening the wing bolt 18 and retracting the elongated members 12 and 14 to the positions thereof depicted in FIG. 2 of the drawings. Wing bolt 18 is then retightened to maintain the elongated members 12 and 14 in their retracted positions. With the members 12 and 14 so retracted, the spreader 10 comprises a relatively compact assembly which is easily transportable to the next location wherein it is desired to install a door frame.

Although only one embodiment of an adjustable door buck spreader constructed in accordance with the present invention has been shown in the drawings and described hereinabove, it is to be understood that modifications in the construction thereof may be made thereto by those skilled the art without departing from the essence of the invention. In this connection, some of the modifications which can be made in the adjustable door buck spreader have been alluded to hereinabove while others will become readily apparent to those skilled in the art when exposed to the present description and illustration of the construction of the adjustable door buck spreader 10. For example, although the elongated members 12 and 14 and the plates 30 and 50 are preferably each made of wood, other materials such as plastics, etc., which embody the desired degree of rigidity could obviously be substituted therefor without departing from the essence of the invention. In addition, as shown in the drawings and described hereinabove the spreader 10 by virtue of the embodiment therein of the magnets 38, 40, 52 and 54 is particularly adapted for use in installing metal door frames. However, in the event that it were not desired to provide the spreader 10 with the self-supporting capability afforded by the magnets 38, 40, 52 and 54, the latter members could be formed of non-magnetic material without departing from the essence of the present invention. Similarly, if the spreader 10 were to be employed with other than metal door frames, the magnets 38, 40, 52 and 54 could be replaced by similarly configured members formed from non-magnetic materials, without departing from the essence of the invention. Furthermore, if the spreader 10 is intended to be employed to install door frames which do not have ribs formed integrally with the door bucks thereof, and as such it is desired that the spreader 10 be capable of presenting a substantially flat surface to the door bucks, the magnets 38, 40, 52 and 54 may be removed from the slots provided therefor in the plates 30 and 50, along with the bolts 42, 44, 56 and 58 by which they are fastened in place, thereby to present substantially planar surfaces in the form of the outer edge surfaces of the plates 30 and 50. Also, the spreader 10 is capable of use with aluminum store front frames and doors, as well as masonry door frames.

Thus, it can be seen that the present invention provides a novel and improved adjustable door buck spreader for use in installing door frames of different sizes, and particularly door frames which are made of metal. Moreover, the adjustable door buck spreader of the present invention is characterized by the fact that it is easily transferable from one job location to another. Furthermore, in accord with the present invention an adjustable door buck spreader is provided wherein magnetic means are employed whereby the spreader is capable of functioning in a self-supporting fashion. The adjustable door buck spreader of the present invention includes adjustment means operable to enable the spreader to be employed with metal door frames which embody integrally formed ribs of different sizes. In addition, in accord with the present invention, an adjustable door buck spreader is provided which is also capable of being employed to install masonry door frames. Finally, the adjustable door buck spreader of the present invention is easy to employ, is relatively inexpensive to manufacture, and through the use thereof enables door frames to be properly installed by a single workman.

Claims

Having thus described the invention, I claim:

1. An adjustable door buck spreader for use in installing door frames comprising:

a. a pair of elongated members supported in overlapping relation relative to each other;

b. buck engaging means mounted at the free ends of said pair of elongated members, said buck engaging means comprising a first plate mounted at the free end of one of said pair of elongated members, a second plate mounted at the free end of the other of said pair of elongated members, a first pair of elements supported in spaced relation on said first plate so as to provide when said first plate and said first pair of elements are in the assembled condition a substantially U-shaped configuration, and a second pair of elements supported in spaced relation on said second plate so as to provide when said second plate and said second pair of elements are in the assembled condition a substantially U-shaped configuration;

c. measuring means provided on said pair of elongated members operable for indicating the distance by which said buck engaging means are spaced apart;

d. first adjustment means operable for adjusting the relative positions of said pair of elongated members by moving said pair of elongated members relative to each other thereby to vary the distance by which said buck engaging means are spaced apart; and

e. second adjustment means operable for adjusting said buck engaging means to enable the spreader to be employed for installing door frames wherein the door bucks thereof have different size ribs, said second adjustment means comprising a first slot formed in said first plate, a second slot formed in said second plate, first mounting means operable for supporting said first pair of elements in said first slot in any one of a plurality of positions, said first mounting means including a threaded opening formed off center in at least one of said first pair of elements operable to divide said one of said first pair of elements into two portions of differing widths so that when each of said first pair of elements is supported in said first slot in one of said plurality of positions thereof with one of said two portions of said one of said first pair of elements disposed towards the other element of said first pair of elements a first distance is defined therebetween and when each of said pair of elements is supported in said first slot in a second of said plurality of positions thereof with the other of said two portions of said one of said first pair of elements disposed towards the other element of said first pair of elements a second distance is defined therebetween wherein through the relative use of said first and second distances the spacing between said first pair of elements is capable of being adjusted, and second mounting means operable for supporting said second pair of elements in said second slot in any one of a plurality of positions, said second mounting means including a threaded opening formed off center in at least one of said second pair of elements operable to divide said one of said second pair of elements into two portions of differing widths so that when each of said second pair of elements is supported in said second slot in one of said plurality of positions thereof with one of said two portions of said one of said second pair of elements disposed towards the other element of said second pair of elements a first distance is defined therebetween and when each of said second pair of elements is supported in said second slot in a second of said plurality of positions thereof with the other of said two portions of said one of said second pair of elements disposed towards the other element of said second pair of elements a second distance is defined therebetween wherein through the selective use of said first and second distances the spacing between said second pair of elements is capable of being adjusted.

2. The adjustable door buck spreader as set forth in claim 1 wherein said measuring means comprises a plurality of scale gradations provided on one of said pair of elongated members and an arrow provided on the other of said pair of elongated members so as to be alignable with said plurality of scale gradations whereby by reading the value of the one of said plurality of scale gradations which is aligned with said arrow a measurement is obtained of the distance by which said buck engaging means are spaced apart.

3. The adjustable door buck spreader as set forth in claim 1 wherein said first adjustment means comprises a channel formed in one of said pair of elongated members so as to extend the entire length thereof, a base portion integrally formed as a part of the other of said pair of elongated members and configured so as to be receivable within said channel with a sliding fit, and fastening means operable for fastening said pair of elongated members together with said base portion positioned within said channel whereby said pair of elongated members are prevented from moving relative to each other.

4. The adjustable door buck spreader as set forth in claim 1 wherein said elements of said first pair of elements and said elements of said second pair of elements each comprise magnets operable for maintaining said buck engaging means in engagement with the door bucks of a metal door frame by means of magnetic attraction whereby the spreader is rendered self-supporting.

5. An adjustable door buck spreader for use in installing door frames comprising:

a. a pair of elongated members supported in overlapping relation relative to each other;

b. buck engaging means including a first plate mounted at the free end of one of said pair of elongated members, a first pair of magnets, a second pair of magnets, first mounting means for supporting said first pair of magnets on said first plate in either of two positions whereby said magnets of said first pair of magnets are spaced relative to each other, said first mounting means including a threaded opening formed off center in each of said first pair of magnets operable to divide each of said first pair of magnets into two portions of differing widths so that when each of said first pair of magnets is supported in said first slot in one of either of said two positions with one of said two portions thereof disposed towards the corresponding portion of the other of said first pair of magnets a first distance is defined therebetween sand when each of said first pair of magnets is supported in said first slot in the other of either of said two positions thereof with the other of said two portions thereof disposed towards the corresponding portion of the other of said first pair of magnets a second distance is defined therebetween wherein through the selective use of said first and second distances the spacing between said first pair of magnets is capable of being adjusted, and second mounting means for supporting said second pair of magnets on said second plate in either of two positions whereby said magnets of said second pair of magnets are spaced relative to each other, said second mounting means including a threaded opening formed off center in each of said second pair of magnets into two portions of differing widths so that when each of said second pair of magnets is supported in said second slot in one of either of said two positions with one of said two portions thereof disposed towards the corresponding portion of the other of said second pair of magnets a first distance is defined therebetween and when each of said second pair of magnets is supported in said second slot in the other of either of said two positions thereof with the other of said two portions thereof disposed towards the corresponding portion of the other of said second pair of magnets a second distance is defined therebetween wherein through the selective use of said first and second distance the spacing between said second pair of magnets is capable of being adjusted;

c. measuring means provided on said pair of elongated members operable for indicating the distance by which the outer ends of said first pair of magnets are spaced apart from the outer ends of said second pair of magnets.

6. The adjustable door buck spreader as set forth in claim 5 wherein said first mounting means further includes a first pair of threaded fasteners threadedly engaged in said threaded openings formed in said first pair of magnets, and said second mounting means further includes a second pair of threaded fasteners threadedly engaged in said threaded openings formed in said second pair of magnets.

7. The adjustable door buck spreader as set forth in claim 5 wherein said measuring means comprises a plurality of scale gradations provided on one of said pair of elongated members and an arrow provided on the other of said pair of elongated members so as to be alignable with said plurality of scale gradations whereby by reading the value of the one of said plurality of scale gradations which is aligned with said arrow a measurement is obtained of the distance by which said buck engaging means are spaced apart.

8. The adjustable door buck spreader as set forth in claim 5 further comprising adjustment means including a channel formed in one of said pair of elongated members so as to extend the entire length thereof, a base portion integrally formed as a part of the other of said pair of elongated members and configured so as to be receivable within said channel with a sliding fit, and fastening means operable for fastening said pair of elongated members together with said base portion positioned within said channel whereby said pair of elongated members are prevented from moving relative to each other.