Door jamb adjusting tool

Abstract

A door jamb adjusting tool has telescoping pair of tubes wherein the larger diameter tube has a plurality of holes, at precise intervals, into any one of which holes fits a biased pin which is part of the thinner tube so as to block the sliding motion relative to each tube in order to set a precise width. A pair of <<T>> bars is situated at opposite ends of the tool and a template is mechanically fastened to each <<T>> bar. Each template is configured and sized for a particular door jamb's size and configuration. In this manner, a very precise alignment of the base of a doorjamb can be obtained.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the invention

The invention relates generally to tools but more particularly a tool for adjusting door jambs during installation.

2. Background of the invention

Adjusting door jambs during housing construction is a delicate process which involves careful adjusting, otherwise the door will not be set up straight and may tend to swing open or closed by itself due to the fact that it was not set up correctly.

Over the years, inventors have developed tools to remedy this situation as well as other related problems. A sample of such inventions includes:

U.S. Pat. No. 408,496 by Macker describes a tool that includes extensible rulers as well as two lateral abutting members.

U.S. Pat. No. 1,192,418 by Hallberg also describes a tool that includes an extensible ruler as well as two lateral abutting members.

U.S. Pat. No. 2,603,880 by Dunn discloses a measuring tool for windows and panels and includes a tube, an extension rod, and lateral abutting members..

U.S. Pat. No. 2,806,495 by Merkle discloses a tool for doors that includes a tube, an extension rod, lateral abutting members.

U.S. Pat. No. 3,168,305 by Lee describes a tool for doors that includes a tube, a graduated extension rod, lateral abutting members.

U.S. Pat. No. 3,199,206 by Snapp describes a tool for holding door frame that includes tubes, extension rod, and lateral abutting members.

U.S. Pat. No. 3,259,367 by Squire a shoring tool comprising an extensible rod and lateral abutting members.

U.S. Pat. No. 3,851,868 by Lagasse describes a tool for doors that includes a tube, a graduated extension rod, lateral abutting members.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,829,727 by Kazura describes a tool for doors that includes a rod and lateral abutting members.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,775,036 by Stanley discloses a tool for doors having two sliding rules.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,873,175 by Johnston discloses a telescoping measuring tool having various graduated segments as well as two distal reference rods.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,085,434 by Mitchell discloses a telescoping measuring tool having graduated segments.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,658,753 by Tatarnic discloses a fence post positioning tool that includes a graduated rod and an extension rod.

U.S. design Pat. No. D287944 by Hewston describes a measuring tool having an extensible ruler lateral abutting members.

Some of the tools of the prior art have several components that are rather large, unwieldy, and complex to set up. Moreover the means used for sliding the components so as to protract or retract the tool allows for continuous extension which gives fractional measurements that, although with the use of indicias on the tool itself, as disclosed in some inventions, are imprecise as the securing means which blocks the sliding of the components may allow for shifting. In the case of door jambs, construction standards for doorways are in set inches, genrally 28, 30, 32, 34, not 33 and ¼ or other such fractional measurements. Another important aspect of the setting of door jambs besides the width is alignment, indeed, one wants one side of the door jamb to be in line with the other side so that when the door is shut, it will be abutting the stopper trim continuously on its three sides. This cannot be achieved if the jambs are set askew.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In view of the foregoing disadvantages inherent in the known devices now present in the prior art, the present invention, which will be described subsequently in greater detail, is to provide objects and advantages which are:

To provide for a door jamb adjusting tool that is practical and easy to use.

To provide for a door jamb adjusting tool that is small for easy carrying. is simple in construction yet precise.

To provide for a door jamb adjusting tool that gives secure preset adjustments.

To provide for a door jamb adjusting tool that is easily convertible so as to fit to any width or thickness of door jamb.

To provide for a door jamb adjusting tool that properly aligns the base of the jambs so taht both sides are aligned.

To attain these ends, the present invention generally comprises a telescoping pair of tubes wherein the larger diameter tube has a plurality of holes, at precise intervals, into any one of which holes fits a biased pin which is part of the thinner tube so as to block the sliding motion relative to each tube in order to set a precise width. A pair of <<T>> bars is situated at opposite ends of the tool and a template is mechanically fastened to each <<T>> bar. Each template is configured and sized for a particular door jamb's size and configuration. In this manner, a very precise alignment of the base of a doorjamb can be obtained.

There has thus been outlined, rather broadly, the more important features of the invention in order that the detailed description thereof that follows may be better understood, and in order that the present contribution to the art may be better appreciated. There are additional features of the invention that will be described hereinafter and which will form the subject matter of the claims appended hereto.

In this respect, before explaining at least one embodiment of the invention in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and to the arrangements of the components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced and carried out in various ways. For example, although doorways are primarily discussed, windows, archways and other such openings could benefit from the use of such a tool if a frame is required. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein are for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting.

As such, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the conception, upon which this disclosure is based, may readily be utilized as a basis for the designing of other structures, methods and systems for carrying out the several purposes of the present invention. It is important, therefore, that the claims be regarded as including such equivalent constructions insofar as they do not depart from the spirit and scope of the present invention.

Further, the purpose of the foregoing abstract is to enable the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office and the public generally, and especially the scientists, engineers and practitioners in the art who are not familiar with patent or legal terms or phraseology, to determine quickly from a cursory inspection the nature and essence of the technical disclosure of the application. The abstract is neither intended to define the invention of the application, which is measured by the claims, nor is it intended to be limiting as to the scope of the invention in any way.

These together with other objects of the invention, along with the various features of novelty which characterize the invention, are pointed out with particularity in the claims annexed to and forming a part of this disclosure. For a better understanding of the invention, its operating advantages and the specific objects attained by its uses, reference should be had to the accompanying drawings and descriptive matter in which there is illustrated preferred embodiments of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

FIGS. 1a-b Isometric view of the tool in context, with a close-up view of the tool in 1b.

FIGS. 2a-b Top view of the tool setting a ddor jamb, with a close-up view of the tool in 2b.

FIG. 3a Isometric exploded view of the tool and its various components.

FIG. 3b Detail view of the biased pin in context.

FIGS. 4abcd Isometric views of various sizes of templates.

FIG. 5 Top view of the graduated rod.

FIG. 6 Top view of the telescoping rod.

FIG. 7 Isometric view of the biased pin.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

A door jamb adjusting tool (10) generally comprises a telescoping pair of tubes wherein a larger diameter tube (12) slidingly engages over an inner tube (14). The larger diameter tube (12) has a plurality of holes (16) into any one of which fits a biased pin (18), which is mechanically attached to the inner tube (14), so as to block the sliding motion between the tubes (12, 14). Such biased pin and holes arrangement is well known and won't be further discussed. A predetermined width can be obtained by sliding and locking the tubes (12, 14) at the desired measurement. Depending upon the profile of a given door jamb (20), a specific pair of template (22) is mechanically fastened to <<T>> bars (24) perpendicularly located at the opposite ends of the door jamb adjusting tool (10). The mechanical fasteners (25) can be screws or wing nuts or even frictionally engaging pins, llo of which being mechanical equivalents. Templates (22) are <<L>> shaped with one part being mechnically fastened to the (( T )) bar (24) and the other having winglets (26, 26′). One winglet (26) is set at the edge of the jamb (20) while the other winglet (26′) is set on the edge of a stopper trim (28) opposite the edge of the jamb (20) as seen more particularly on FIG. 2b. Because of the orthogonality of the door jamb adjusting tool (10) setting it up as illustrated and described insures a proper alignment.

Because there are a multitude of possible door width, including twin doors, a long and a short inner tube (14, 14′) respectively, as shown in FIG. 3a, are preferable. As well, there are many possible template (22) sizes as ber FIGS. 7a-d which can be easily and quickly substituted.

As to a further discussion of the manner of usage and operation of the present invention, the same should be apparent from the above description. Accordingly, no further discussion relating to the manner of usage and operation will be provided.

With respect to the above description then, it is to be realized that the optimum dimensional relationships for the parts of the invention, to include variations in size, materials, shape, form, function and manner of operation, assembly and use, are deemed readily apparent and obvious to one skilled in the art, and all equivalent relationships to those illustrated in the drawings and described in the specification are intended to be encompassed by the present invention.

Therefore, the foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention.

Claims

1. A door jamb adjusting tool comprising:

a larger diameter tube slidingly engaging over an inner tube in a telescoping relation;

said larger diameter tube having a plurality of holes and into any one of which said holes fits a biased pin;

said biased pin being mechanically attached to said inner tube so as to block sliding motion between said larger diameter tube and said inner tube;

a <<T>> bar situated at the distal end of said larger diameter tube and said inner tube; a template being mechnically fastened to said <<T>> bar;

said template having winglets.

2. A doorjamb adjusting tool as in claim 1 wherein:

said <<T>> bars being perpendicularly located at opposite ends of said door jamb adjusting tool.

3. A door jamb adjusting tool as in claim 1 wherein:

said template being <<L>> shaped with one part being mechanically fastened to the <<T>> bar and the other having winglets.

4. A door jamb adjusting tool having the following method of use:

said door jamb adjusting tool being protracted to the desired width by sliding and locking tubes at a desired measurement;

a specific pair of template is mechanically fastened to <<T>> bars;

each said template having its equivalent winglet on the other template set at the edge of a jamb by moving said jamb so that it fits and both templates have their opposite winglets set on the edge of a stopper trim opposite the edge of said jamb.