Doorframe setting gauge

2,636,282

April 28, 1953

A. J. KRONQUIST

DOORFRAME SETTING GAUGE

Filed Feb. 14, 1950

SHEETS—SHEET 1

<img file="US2636282A_D0001.tif" />

Rlfreo J. Kronqu/st BY

<img file="US2636282A_D0002.tif" />

fiTTORNEVS

April 28, 1953

Filed Feb. 14, 1950

A. J. KRONQUIST

DOORFRAME SETTING GAUGE

2,636,282

SHEETS—SHEET 2

<img file="US2636282A_D0003.tif" />

<img file="US2636282A_D0004.tif" />

ATTORNEYS

Patented Apr. 28, 1953

2,636,282

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE

2,636,282 DQ-ORFRAME’-’SETTING-GAUGE// Alfred. J. JSr^nqujst, San Francisco, Calif,,. _rApplication February 14,1950, Serial No; 144,172 b 4 Claims;,· .. (CI. 33^194) 1 2

This invention relates to a doorframe?.settings gauge, and has for one of its objects.the; provision/» of means for enabling a workman» to'.quickly·; and .?accurately set the jambs andhead.of a door frame./·, so that -the-.· jambs/are./actually /vertical::afoaU«t^,e points therealong,-and·so -thatthe-head .or upper../ end -of -the frame is horizontal.» t

A normal door opening .m the. framework.of a··., house comprises , a -pair, of ·. horizontally·! spaced ./ vertically extending members and .a head member, io •extending across - or . between» -their supper .ends»: ·-, These members-are .usually, stwo inch -by. .four. inchsr pieces and no great attempt -is madeifor precise;/ accuracy in setting, the upright members vertical» ·. nor the horizontally ..extending/head/membeifeis horizontal.. The door-frame that includes..jambs and a head-.are intended.to easily .fit. within the. . area defined by the. aforesaid members with the . jambs extending alongside, the opposed faces, of . the upright, members.· and·; »the head., bclpw. the 20 head member.·..

The accuracy, with .which/the/do.or frame» is . “set”in the; door, opening defined by,the. members above, described· determines the, speed, with, which the door will; be- hung in said: door .frame,:, and,, 25 it will also, determine.to..a great...extent_;;the;,acT : curacy with which the door is hung,; A skilled»·.;· and fast workman, may».hang, about, eight doers during an. eight hour day. Such·· workmen are -.highly, paid and if the door.; frames,,are.·b.adjy,-.set,/;3o they may not.be able,to hang; more rthan-five or six doors a day and /even rthqsej .doqrs /may/-of/; necessity, be poorly fitted»;.-:,

With the present ting”.of the door frames·,is made.a.relatiyely^easyrgs and fast job thereby enabling a man who is skilled .in hanging , doors to hang-, considerably ?» more doors each day, tha,n_; here^fpre.-i and such,· doors will be far more accurately hung.?,,

The doors,,themselves,>as .supplied»fey- the. mill, ₄₀are usually quite accurate,-with.parallel -vertical. edges spaced the,regulation distance, and with , their upper, and- lower .e’dggs parallel·,and at right ? angles to the vertical· edges,-and, also spaced apart. the regulation distance.»,/When?.the door,· ΐrame?„_4gis rectangular,with the jamfes .verjical'and-spaced? the regulation-distances for-the dopr,,and?.when , the head -is at right, angles .to the jambs, (and the sill is also,-at right angles to the jamb when.», used for outside.doors) there.is very,little.plan- ₅₀ing, if any, to be. done fey, the man that hangs?; the, doors.. ...... .........“

The . present invention does, not require any ,, unusual, skill .on. the part.pf .the .workman,,.and?, may be-collapsed _;to a compact..size,,,when?not in? 55 use.,.

An added object of the invention, is the pro.-»... vision, of a door frame setting gauge that- may.?· be held in its operable· position ,in the., .frame., during. the time · whep,.the, frame. is. nailed. in its , _eoadjusted, position, ..which facilitates the setting operation.

A .still· ifurthen/object ofsthertnvention. is the. /, provision .of;a door.-frame. setting;gauge.that may be used by a workman facing in either direction , towai’dith&amp;frame.mpening.;;!::

Other’ objects; and advantagesswill· appear, in .·.. the description /and;. ini the-drawings:;, .

Im the-..drawings;; ,

Fig; 1 is a side view, of .a door frame in .the, door > opening i.in,,.a /building/.with the, gauge of this, invention·in· said!frame imposition, for,.use:.

Fig. ;2 is an enlarged ..cross .sectional .view; taken»., along· line.;2—2. of iFig;,!, the figure being-broken ., indength to.accommodate the, same to the sheet.

Fig.; 3. is affifenlaree.d-jcrossiseetionali.view taken along.line.,3.—.3.,of :Fig.,d..,.

Fig;. 4 is .an,enlarged-icrosss.ectional;view taken·., along. ,line.:4-fr.4 ,Qf ;Fig.’.;l.

Fig_;.;5 is an .enlarged<fraginentary;.side’ eleva- , tional /view. >of, part tof.,the vertical -standard, of the:, gauge,/

In; detail, ,the :doo.r, opening,am. the frame .of .a frame/building,, normally comprises./a pair > of horizontally -spaced»; vertical·;..two ;hy; four; < inch ·. members.;!, 2, apd,each;usually has.a secondsimi-,·lap. member ,3 ip side by side engagement therewith as seen in Fig. 1.

Extending, , across·-or-./between,» the.upper · ends/ of/members·,2. is ,a horizontally ,extending, head member 4, also,,a two,.-by;,four? inch, piece,: and. a . second similar member •Ei_fma.yhe=above _an(i _Earai_„ lei ./-with, member» A and in. engagement .with the latter. ................

The,membersyi, 2,-fl and,ifloor level -.6 (Fig,!), ordinarily, ,-define-· the;, door -.-opening. for.. a door?» frame, ................

The .-conyentional·· door-frame comprjses-a pair of W^P^^y^.aee'^.veEticany extending jambs 7, /8, jthe,,jamb,·! being? .alongside -the?inner side·.· of/member;·/! ah^-,iaipfe„8‘ being??alongside.. the member.,2 in,-,ppppsediy??facing, ^relation rto?the ? jamb 7. A horizontal head, or jamb head, 9» connects, the tipper onds of-jambs,7.» 8 and .is directly be^_/jtee»heac!;iaemberr4^:._e,'.'.'''···

The. spacing;feetweoh.,the?memfeers,!, .2 is .such , that. narroyi spapes ,(2, ,13,normally.exist,between,. jamb 7 and member,·!, .and.-festween member , 2 and_:,jamfe,8. , The head ,9?may,also.?be. slightly.' spaced from the. head member 4. as indicated at 14. ..... ............... ' '

This spacing.of the'»door.-.frame .within.the .area defined.,fey the btiilding..frame?memhersd.?2 and ¢, is to permit •settin‘g .the:jambs.;and.head.9 so that ' the, jambs ..will,he , vertical ?and„ the ( head, hori- . zOnfcah,· Pieces, of.ishingleis'„are'.usually driven jp^o.-said.spaces,,! 2, 13, .14 :at,,theidesired. points . to square theiframe., apd,the.jambs and.head 9' are. .then·, nailed ..to .the? members? i, 2 and head member 4.

Theiusu^ipraotice; has.heretofore..been to use;; the norma I. .level,.-which? may be 'several -feet in length, in setting the jambs? andrthese- may fee set. one. at ,a time with. as.much 'accuracy.*as is

2,636,282 possible, since the jamb may be vertical in one direction and inclined in the other, or it may be warped so that it is vertical at one point along its length, but not vertical at another point. After the frame setter has finished his job to the best of his ability, the door hanger must hang the door in the frame, and he attempts to shape the edges of the door so as to approximate the linear contour of the jambs and head of the frame. If the jambs are too narrowly spaced, a : considerable amount must be planed off one of the door edges at considerable waste. If the jambs are warped, little can be done, and if they are not vertical, the edges must be planed to different depths along the edge to attempt to fol- : low the inclination of the jamb.

The present invention provides an elongated vertical standard, generally designated 20 that is absolutely straight along its outer edge.

Inasmuch as the standard 20 must extend from / substantially head 9 to floor 6, a distance usually in excess of six feet by about eight inches, or 6 feet, 8 inches, the same is preferably made in two portions, there being an upper portion 2 1 and a lower portion 22. These portions are preferably made from a good hardwood, such, for example, as mahogany. This hardwood is initially in strips or pieces that may be about one and one half by three and one half inches in cross sectional contour, and across one of the corresponding edges of said strips are metal face plates or strips 24, 25 respectively secured to strips 21,22 (Fig. 5).

The strips or face plates 24, 25 are preferably substantially wider than the edges of the wooden pieces 21, 22 to which they are secured, hence they will extend oppositely outwardly of the opposite sides of said pieces as indicated at 26, 27 in Fig. 2. The projecting portion 26 of each strip 24, 25 terminates in a right angle flange 28, and these projections are respectively backed by strips 29 that are triangular in cross sectional contour, and that may also be of wood and glued or otherwise secured to the opposite sides of the strips 2 i, 22. These backing pieces merely fill the reentrant angles between the said opposite sides of the strips 21, 22 and the projecting portions 26, 27 of the metal strips 24, 25. The portions 27 may continue over the outer exposed side of the strips 29 that are against said portions, as best seen at 38 (Fig. 3). It is to be understood that the triangular strips 29 and the flanges 28 do not continue past the adjacent ends of strips 2(, 22 when the latter are in end to end abutting relation (Fig. 5).

The strip 22, which is the lowermost strip of the pair, has an upwardly projecting dowell 32 at its upper end that is adapted to fit into a complementarity formed recess in the lower end of the upper strip 21 for securing said strips in longitudinal alignment with their outer corresponding sides and edges flush at the juncture between said strips. The lower end portion of the upper strip 21 is provided with a cross bolt 33 and the upper end of the upwardly projecting dowel 32 is formed with an upwardly opening slot 34 (Fig. 5) that is adapted to pass said bolt when said strips are together in alignment. Upon tightening the thumb nut 35 on said bolt, the two strips 21, 22 will be securely locked together.

The two opposite sides of the strips 21, 22 along the edges remote from the metal face plates 24, 25 are formed with outwardly opening grooves 36 (Fig. 3) that are rectangular in cross sectional contour, and that extend parallel with the edges and sides of the strips 21, 22. The grooves in in the of the are se50

7Q each of the sides of strips 21 are in longitudinal alignment with the corresponding grooves in lower strip 22. The said grooves in the upper strip 2 ί have rectangular channel members 38 fitted therein with their open sides opening oppositely outwardly relative to the strip 21. Lower strip 22 has similar channel members 39 fitted grooves in said lower strip.

Channel members 38 terminate short lower ends of the grooves in which they cured while the upper ends of the channel members 39 (Fig. 5) carried in the grooves in the lower strip 22 project upwardly, and are adapted to abut the lower ends of channels members 38 when the strips 21, 22 are in longitudinal alignment. Thus the channel members 38,39 are definitely in alignment at their junctures. Inasmuch as said channel members constitute guide ways for slidably retaining a gauge arm on the standard 29 for sliding the length of the latter, it is essential that the juncture between the channel members be in absolute alignment when the strips forming said standard are secured together. Screws ¢0, 41 may respectively secure the upper ends of channel members 38, 39 to the adjacent end portions of strips 21, 22 as seen in Fig. 5. This structure at the joint between strips 21, 22 also materially contributes to the rigidity of the joint.

While, as above mentioned, the separation of strips 21, 22 is made possible by the central joint connecting them, it is also submitted that this structure materially increases the accuracy of the standard as a straight edge, which is highly desirable. A single strip of metal or wood that is over six feet in length and that remains straight, is almost impossible to obtain, whereas it is relatively simple to provide a straight piece that is no more than three or four feet in length, and such shorter pieces will not tend to warp nor to become distorted if selected with reasonable care.

The opposite sides of the strips 21,22 may be relieved slightly by shallow central grooves or recesses 45 extending longitudinally thereof, and which recesses also provide finger grips for easily holding the standard by the hand.

The upper piece or strip 21 is preferably formed with a through opening 46 that extends longitudinally of said strip, and which opening is slightly below the eye level of the average man standing beside the standard when the lower end of the latter is upright and is supported at its lower end on the floor 6.

Extending across this opening and secured to said strip 21 at their ends are a pair of horizontal spirit levels 48, 49 (Fig. 5) that extend at right angles to each other and that are respectively parallel with two adjacent right angle sides of the strip. These spirit levels are fully protected against injury, as they are within the planes of । the opposite sides and edges of the strip 21.

A bracket member 50 (Fig. 1) is provided or formed with upper and lower pairs of shoes 5i, with the shoes of each pair being in opposed relation (Figs. 1, 2) and fitting within the oppositely outwardly opening channel members 38, 39 carried by the standard 20 for sliding longitudinally of said standard. This bracket member carries an arm 52 that extends at a right angle to the standard 20, and which arm is in two sections made up of a horizontally elongated laterally opening channel member 54, being a vertical, horizontally extending bottom or closed side 55 (Fig. 4), and upper and lower sides 5S, 57 that extend convergently in direction transversely of the length of the arm and away from the

2,636,282 upper, ami.towBrs/edgns.nf ^hoitoimiSE; landa stir ip telescopieally.;slidabls· m..said;&lt;toaiiiiel-Tneinber as, will be Tatar described.

•The Outer .end of said channel/member. 54 is open, and a strip 59 preferably.-of wood;/slidably extends into said open -end, the external 'cross seciaonalcontour. of.said strip ..'being-.such as. to correspond with that of the inner faces of said channel member-54,. hence the sides: 56, 57 will hold, the strip 59 therein, and at right angles to the standard 29.

The strip 59 is formed with a.-slot 5’1 extending longitudinally thereof and the.’.channel .member 54 carries, a. clamping- bolt 62 with a thumb nut 6-3 thereon for. elamping; the strip 5 9. to. 'channel member 54 at any'desired ^degree of extension of the strip 59 .(Fig. :4).

From the. foregoing,. it Wil-he. seen that the strip. .59 . and channel member 5'4 'provide two telescopic sections of an arm that extends -at right. angles to We standard. 20, and that, the upper edge of the channel member or /section; 54 and the face plates .24,- :25 on standard. 20 may simultaneously engage the. laterally. - inwardly facing-side of either of the jambs 7,8 and the lower surface of the head '9.. .when the bracket carrying the s.ection.54 isat.the top of the-standard, as seen· in. Fig. 1.

The. outer end.-of section .or strip: 59 carries a plate 15 (Figs. 2, 4) that is /disposed in. a vertical plane that is in parallel, opposed relation to the plane- in. which-pIates./.24.; 25 on standard 20 are disposed. This plate'15 projects , laterally from the outer end of strip 59 to the same side as the. portions :26 . of plates .24, -25. .and is formed with a vertically extending /flange 12 along.:its outer edge that-is remote -from strip 59.. Flange 72- extends in a direction away from the^- flange 28 and is in the same plane, as · flange· 28.

In operation, assuming, the .desired finished distance between -the jambs- 7,. 8 is three feet -or thirty six inches, the distance between the oppositely outwardly facing surfaces of the-plates-TO, 24 and 7-0, 25 along a horizontal line in each instance, should be three feet, -and this is· readily obtained by .observing the· numbered graduations 73 on the inner side of the- bottom 55 of -the channel-sections- 54 (Fig. 1)-. When- the inner end of the strip 59 is even-with the graduation “36” or “3,” according to whether the-graduations are in inches or in feet, and fractions, thereof, the distance between the said -oppositely- outwardly facing surfaces of said plates along a horizontal line will be thirty six inches or three feet.

The next step in “setting”· the. door frame is to position the lower end of the standard 20 on the floor or sill adjacent one of the jambs. A downwardly directed pointed-projection 74 on the lower end of the standard, -will engage the floor to prevent slippageZof said lower end.

When the jamb in Fig. lis- vertical, the-.flanges 28. of plates 24, 25 will engage, the jamb from top to bottom and the outer faces of said plates will also engage the inwardly facing surface of said jamb. This position of the jamb can be determined by observing the spirit levels 48, 49. Wherever-there may be a variation from vertical along the length of the jam, wooden wedges, such as pieces of wooden shingles, are driven into the space 12 between the jamb 7 and member ί to either force the jamb inwardly or else the jamb is forced toward said- member by nailing. In any event,We jamb is nailed·,to. We member i, preferably by'finishing nails such as indicated at 79 in Fig. 3 in dot dash lines. It is important to note that thewidth of. the.plates/ 24, I &amp; /is such as to/permit mailing wiWput-.remaving the standard. Should .the jamb be vertical'Without necessitating the. forcin g of the/same; toward or away from the member I, nevertheless a filler, such. as. pieces of/.shingles, are placed or/Wiven into space 42-to provide a rigidWaekin-'g: for; We jamb at the points where the nails are driven into the member I.

• By: We foregoing·-step, Wejamb 7 _;can, readily be.set vertically in/both. Erections atrighfe angles to each other, even:Weughpartof the jamb may be twisted or./-warped. · :Suchwarpage -is.-quite frequent,, and has heretofore escaped notice of the workman installing, the door in many instances, unless .the/ ordinary level is placed on the portion of the door that is out of vertical; and even then the workman usually: assumes that the entire: jamb is out of-plumb, and: the rectifying of /the /warped, .part. may/throw' the remainder out of vertical.

With the present, invention, the workman can see exactly where rectification is required- along the. entire length of the jamb, and can easily make the desired- corrections.

Once the: jamb .7; is; vertical and is nailed, to the member I:, the. arm; 52 ;Which- comprises;·-the sections made up of strip 59 and channel member 54 is slipped to the upper end of the standard in the position shown in full line in Fig.: 1. : If the head 9 is not at right angles to the jamb 7, this fact ..will - instantly appear. smcecthe upper edge of the channel, membrar is, at right/ angles; to the plates: 24, 25 on standard.. 20,; and these; plates will.be.-flat. against the jamb TvWen-the; latter , is set vertically.. If the head is not at right angles to jamb 7 it is readily secured at right angles by the use of. shingles or wedges in tflesame. manner as employed for jamb 7.

When the jamb- 7 is vertical and the, arm 52 is, at the top of the standard; the jamb 8 should practically: touch We outwardly facing side, of plate W, and flange 72 on said plate will engage the, edge of the jamb 8 as seen in Fig.; 2. - If We jamb T,is spaced too great,a- distance from jamb8, -wedges., may .be; driven· into, space, 1,3 between jamb 8 and the member 3 that is alongside the latter to move it over toward jamb- 7. When the upper end of jamb 8 is properly spaced from jamb: 7 the arm 52 may be slipped downwardly toward position 75, indicated in -dot dash lines, and if We, j amb 8 is not vertical, this fact will be .readily seen from relationship between plate 70,and the Jamb f and the same steps as described for. making jamb 7- plumb may be taken for jamb: 8. From position 75 the arm 52 may be moved tO;/Welowermost-.position 76. Corrections in the position of jamb 8 between positions 75, 76 may be made as We arm is moved to position 7,6.

It is .obvious, thafc .after We.·, above steps,· We two surfaces ofjamb: I-engagedWyrelements, 24 and'2.8. are in vertical, planes and We corresponding-side'.edges of, jambs 7 and 8 are in We same vertical/plane. Also,, the jambs are properly spaced· apart,,and:;the-head 9 is horizontal. By placing 'We standard adjacent jamb, 8 We latter may-be quickly.checked to see that it is vertical, and if not, it may he quickly corrected.

It is immaterial which of We two jambs is initially corrected, inasmuch as We gauge may be used from- either side of-the frame. Also, many times, We operator may wish to check the jambs from We.edges; opposite the ones Wat were engaged by We/flanges 28, 72 during We first

2,636,282 checking operation. This may be done by placing the standard against jamb 8 and along the edge opposite the one that is shown as being engaged at the present time by flange 72.

The nailing of a jamb 8 to the member 2 that 5 is alongside the same is readily accomplished during the procedure of moving the arm 52 vertically while flange 72 engages the edge of said jamb for the reason that there is ample space alongside the plate 70 for nailing. When the io gauge is removed, and the jambs are set, another nail may be driven through the jambs and into members I, 2 to complete the proper degree of securement between said jambs and the building frame members adjacent thereto. 15

The operation of setting the jambs is one that is quickly performed and with the greatest accuracy. The door to be hung is, as has been explained, relatively accurate in its dimensions, hence the minimum amount of work remains for 20 properly hanging the door. In ordinary practice, the workman setting the jambs will take substantially less time to set the jambs by use of the present invention, than formerly, and a much higher degree of accuracy is obtained, thereby 25 making it possible for the person hanging the doors to complete his work in a fraction of the time heretofore required, and to accomplish it with a much greater degree of accuracy than by the conventional methods. 30