US3778945A - Adjustable prefabricated entryway - Google Patents

Abstract

A prefabricated entryway made of molded fiberglass consisting of individual fluted pilasters, base and head blocks, a mantel made in two parts, a mantel overlay, a pediment made in two parts, a combined urn and urn base and a plurality of spring clips. The entire assembly is readily erected in place on a wall about an opening upon the spring clips being fastened to the wall and the various parts becoming interlocked and interengaged without the use of nails, screws and the like.

Description

United States Patent [191 Medow [451 Dec. 18, 1973 ADJUSTABLE PREFABRICATED ENTRYWAY [76] Inventor: Robert S. Medow, 15840 W.

Prestwick FL, Miami Lakes, Fla.

[22] Filed: Sept. 29, 1972 [21] Appl. No.: 293,519

lnnes et al. 52/311 Mesker et al. 52/311 Primary Examiner.101'm E. Murtagh Assistant ExaminerLeslie A. Braun Attorney-Salvatore G. Militana [57] ABSTRACT A prefabricated entryway made of molded fiberglass consisting of individual fluted pilasters, base and head blocks, a mantel made in two parts, a mantel overlay, a pediment made in two parts, a combined um and um base and a plurality of spring clips. The entire assembly is readily erected in place on a wall about an opening upon the spring clips being fastened to the wall and the various parts becoming interlocked and interengaged without the use of nails, screws and the like.

3 Claims, 11 Drawing Figures 1 ADJUSTABLE PREFABRICATEDENTRYWAY CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION This application is an improvement over my copending application Ser. No. 155,835, filed on June 23, 1971 now abandoned, for Prefabricated Ornamental Entryway.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field Of The Invention This invention relates to prefabricated entryways and is more particularly directed to adjustable entryways having interlocking parts that may be readily and quickly erected for openings of various sizes.

2. Description Of The Prior Art Except for my prefabricated entryways manufactured in the manner set forth by my copending application Ser. No. l55,835 for Prefabricated Ornamental Entryway, all of the present entryways are custom fabricated and erected by skilled workmen for a specific opening. With the advent of my prefabricated entryways, the need for skilled artisans and specially constructed entryways were no longer necessary so that at this time all that need to be done to provide an opening with my entryway is to make the opening of a certain size and then assemble and mount my prefabricated entryway thereon. However, in order to accommodate openings of varying sizes, different prefabricated entryways of appropriate sizes would have to be made available. This, of course, would necessitate providing molds of different sizes to produce plasters and pediments of different sizes. Since the cost of molds are exceedingly expensive and since the heights and widths of openings did not vary more than approximately 12 inches, then a single set of molds was devised that permitted the assembly of the various parts constituting the entryway. In this manner, only one set of the entryway parts areneeded for openings of different sizes. In addition, the various parts constituting my Entryway of application Ser. No. 155,835, required to be nailed or otherwise fastened to furring strips nailed to the wall.

SUMMARY. OF THE INVENTION The present invention contemplates the prefabrication of the various parts that constitute an ornate entryway in a manner that they may be adjustably mounted about various sized openings in a wall so that one set of such parts can be used for various size openings.

Therefore, it is a principle object of the present invention to provide an entryway made of various molded parts made from a single set of molds so as to reduce the cost of an ornate entryway to a minimum without diminishing the ornatcness and splendor of such entryways.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an ornate entryway that is readily adapted to be erected by ordinary labor without the need of special tools and which readily accommodates openings of various sizes. A further object of the present invention is to provide an ornate entryway that consists of varous parts that interlock so that a minimum of fastening members, such entryway may be erected in an exceedingly short time.

With these and other objects in view, the invention will be best understood from a consideration of the following detailed description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings forming a part of this specification, with the understanding, however, that the invention is not confined to any strict conformity with the showing of the drawings but may be changed or modified so long as such changes or modifications mark no material departure from the salient features of the invention as expressed in the appended claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS- FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a wall having an opening about which my entryway is shown mounted.

FIG. 2 is a cross sectional view taken along theline 22 of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a base block.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a head block.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a mantel overlay.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a combined keystone and um.

FIGS. 7, 8 and 9 are cross sectional views taken along the lines 7-7, 8-8 and 99 respectively of FIG. 1.

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a spring clip for fastening the pilasters to a wall.

FIG. 11 is a fragmentary perspective view of a mantel.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring to the drawings wherein like numerals are used to designate similar parts throughout the several views, thenumeral 10 refers to an entryway constructed in accordance with my invention and shown mounted about an opening 11 in awall 12. Myentryway 10 consists of the following parts, a pair of pilasters P, a pair of base blocks B, a pair of head blocks H, a pair of half mantels M, and overlay mantel V, a pair of half pediments D and a combined um and keystone K. As will be noted from the following description, the parts are so fabricated, assembled and erected at the site of the opening that myentryway 10 can be quickly and adjustably fitted to any of the various sized openings that are presently provided in todays construction, and that a minimum of fastening members are used for fastening myentryway 10 in place. As the various parts of myentryway 10 is made of molded fiberglass which can be sawed, cut and nailed, they are made of such dimensions that they will fit the largest desired opening and in fitting the various parts toa smaller opening, these parts can be cut to size without affecting or changing the appearance of the entryway.

The pilasters P have a channel-like cross sectional shape consisting of an outerfluted wall portion 13 joined along the edges by side walls M that extend at right angle thereto. Each pilaster P is held in place on thewall 12 by a plurality of spring clips C which consists of an elongated andflat body portion 48 on the ends of which is an arcuate shoulderengaging member 49. .Thebody portion 48 is provided withopenings 58 for receiving nails and the like for fastening the clips C to thewall 12. The pilasters P are provided withshoulders 60 on the inner wall and along each side edge for engagement by theshoulder engaging member 49 of the spring clips C forsecuring the pilasters P to thewall 12.

Telescopically mounted over the lower portion of each of the pilasters P is the base block B, also of channel shaped cross section as shown by FIG. 3 having a main wall whose upper portion is foreshortened in width by anarcuate cut portion 16 on each side thereof withside walls 17 and 18 extending along the sides of themain wall 15. The upper inner edge portion is provided witharcuat e projections 19 that are received by the fluted portion of themain wall 13 of the pilasters P. There are also a pair of pointed dowels orpins 20 which are frictionally engaged inopenings 21 that are drilled through themain wall 13 of the pilaster P for the purpose of securing the base blocks B to the base of the pilasters P. At the top end portion of each of the pilasters P is the head block H telescopically mounted thereon and consisting of a channel-like member having afront wall 22 with rightangled side walls 23 extending alongside thereof. For artistic purposes, theupper portion 24 of thefront wall 22 projects outwardly with atop wall 27 thereto while theside walls 23 are slotted as at 25 to abut properly on the lower portion of the mantels M. Projecting from the inner surface of thewall 22 arepins 26 that extend into and engageopenings 21 drilled at the upper portion of the pilasters P. The inner surface of thewall 22 is provided also witharcuate projections 27 that fit into the fluted portions of themain wall 13 of the pilasters P.

Mounted on the top of the pilasters P are mantels M that'are identical in construction and in aligned position with the mantel overlay V centrally positioned so as to cover the gap, if any between the ends of the mantels M. The mantels M are channel shaped with afront wall 28 andend wall 29 at the exposed end thereof. The mantels M are provided withalternating square projections 30 for ornamental purposes, including a lowerhorizontal projection 31. Projecting further forwardly is thetop portion 32 of the mantel M extending along the full length of the mantels. Top and bottom walls 50 and 51 extend horizontally of the main orfront wall 28. The top wall 50 is provided with a plurality ofslots 58 andtabs 54 at the rear edge thereof. It is to be noted that the half mantels M can be fabricated as a single unit. If the opening 11 requires the shortening of the mantel M, then the mantel can be cut at its mid-portion since the mantel overlay V will cover the break therebetween. Thetabs 54 are provided withopenings 56 for receiving a nail or screw for securing the mantels M to the all 12.

Straddling the inner ends of the mantels M and covering the gap therebetween is the mantel overlay V as shown by FIG. 5 consisting of a channel shape with afront wall 33 andside walls 34. The top portion of the mantel overlay V extends forwardly as at 35 with alternatingsquare projections 36 therebelow. Slottedportions 37 and 38 at the top and bottom portions respectively of theside walls 34 permit the fitting of the mantel overlay V on themantels M. Pins 39 extending inwardly of themain wall 33 of the overlay V engageopenings 40 that have been drilled in themain wall 28 ofthe mantels M for retaining the mantel overlay in place.

Mounted over each of the mantels M is a pediment D between which is fitted a combined keystone and um K. The pediments D are ornate as are the pediment described in my copending application but in this instance the pediments D are in two halves with the combined urn and keystone K extending over any gap that may exist between the inner ends of themain wall 41. The combined um and keystone is molded in one piece, the keystone portion having amain wall 42 withside walls 43 having slottedportions 44 for permitting the inner ends of themain wall 41 of the pediments D to extend therethrough and overlie over any gap that may extend between the ends of themain wall 41.Pins 45 extend inwardly of themain wall 42 and frictionally fitopenings 46 formed in themain wall 41 of the pediments D. To secure the pediments D to the mantels M thelower wall 45 of the pediments D is provided with a plurality of downwardly extendinglugs 58 that are received byslots 47 formed in the inner edge of the top wall of the mantels M. An inclinedtop wall 48 of the pediments D which extends on an oblique angle with the horizontal to a position spaced from the urn K is provided with upwardly extendingtabs 54 for securing the pediments D to thewall 12.

To erect myentryway 10 about the opening 11, the spring clips C must first be fastened on the wall 11 withnails 59 as shown by F108. 2 and 7. Then the pilasters P which have to be cut to their proper lengths for the opening 11 are placed over the spring clips C and forced into engagement therewith. The arcuate ends v49 of the clips C will spring inwardly to permit the shoulders of the pilasters P to slip past and become en gaged by the clips C. The base blocks B are then fitted in place at the base of the pilasters P upon inserting thepins 20 intoopenings 21 previously drilled in the pilasters P. The mantels M are then mounted on thewall 12 above the opening 11 with the lower wall 51 of the mantels M resting on the top ends of the pilasters P. The head blocks H are then mounted in place on the pilasters P upon inserting thepins 26 through theopenings 21 drilled into the pilasters P. The pediments D are then mounted over the mantels M. The lugs 58 of thelower wall 45 of the pediments D engage theslots 47 of the top wall 50 of the mantel M. Nails 56 are then driven through thetabs 54 and into thewall 12 to fasten the mantels and pediments D to thewall 12. The mantel overlay V is placed over the inner ends of the mantels M and fastened into place by inserting thepins 39 throughopenings 40 drilled through themain wall 28 of the mantels M. Now the combined um and keystone K is placed over the inner ends of the pediments D and thepins 45 inserted intoholes 46 drilled into thewalls 41 of the pediments D thereby completing the erection of my entryway on thewall 12 about the opening 11.

it is to be noted that the same parts that constitute myentryway 10 may be used for openings of different sizes, so that one set of molds will be adequate to produce my entryway that will accommodate openings ranging from the smaller to the larger popular sizes. The opening 11 is the maximum size in height and width accommodated by my entryway as shown by FIG. 1. If the opening 11 is smaller in height and width than that shown by FIG. 1, the lower end of the pilasters P can be cut off while the mantels M may be brought closer together even to the position of touching together at their inner ends to attain the desired dimensions. Also, except for the spring clips C and thetabs 54 of the pediments D being nailed or otherwise fastened to thewall 12, the remaining'parts that constitute myentryway 10 form a rigid structure by interlocking and interengaging with each other. If desired, the overlapping portions may be cemented or glued to each other for a permanent erection of theentryway 10. Also, thetabs 54 may be covered by tape, plaster and the like.

What I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States is:

1. An adjustable prefabricated entryway comprising a plurality of fastening members adapted to be secured on a wall on each side of an opening therein, a pilaster secured to said fastening members on each side to said opening, a base block mounted on the lower end portion of each of said pilasters, interengaging means securing said base blocks to said pilasters, a head block mounted on the upper end portion of each of said pilasters, interengaging means securing said head blocks to said pilasters, a mantel mounted on said pilasters and extending substantially horizontally, a mantel overlay positioned over the mid-portion of said mantel, interengaging means securing said mantel overlay to said mantel, a pediment positioned on each of said mantel and extending in a direction toward each other, lug means mounted on the lower portion of said pediments received by slotted portions formed on said mantel securing said pediments and said mantel together, tabs mounted on the upper portion of said pediments for fastening said pediments to said wall, a keystone positioned over the inner end portions of said pediments, and interengaging means securing said keystone to said pediments.

2. The structure as recited by claim 1 wherein all of said interengaging means comprise a pin mounted on one member frictionally engaging an opening formed in the other member for fastening said two members together.

3. The structure as recited byclaim 2 wherein each of said fastening members comprise a spring clip having an elongated body portion, shoulder engaging means mounted on each end of said body portion and shoulder means mounted along each edge portion of said pilasters received by said shoulder engaging means.

Claims (3)

1. An adjustable prefabricated entryway comprising a plurality of fastening members adapted to be secured on a wall on each side of an opening therein, a pilaster secured to said fastening members on each side to said opening, a base block mounted on the lower end portion of each of said pilasters, interengaging means securing said base blocks to said pilasters, a head block mounted on the upper end portion of each of said pilasters, interengaging means securing said head blocks to said pilasters, a mantel mounted on said pilasters and extending substantially horizontally, a mantel overlay positioned over the mid-portion of said mantel, interengaging means securing said mantel overlay to said mantel, a pediment positioned on each of said mantel and extending in a direction toward each other, lug means mounted on the lower portion of said pediments received by slotted portions formed on said mantel securing said pedimentS and said mantel together, tabs mounted on the upper portion of said pediments for fastening said pediments to said wall, a keystone positioned over the inner end portions of said pediments, and interengaging means securing said keystone to said pediments.

2. The structure as recited by claim 1 wherein all of said interengaging means comprise a pin mounted on one member frictionally engaging an opening formed in the other member for fastening said two members together.

3. The structure as recited by claim 2 wherein each of said fastening members comprise a spring clip having an elongated body portion, shoulder engaging means mounted on each end of said body portion and shoulder means mounted along each edge portion of said pilasters received by said shoulder engaging means.

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