Frame assembly splice method and apparatus

A method of connecting a header of a door frame assembly to a tubular column having a first wall, a second wall located perpendicular to the first wall and an open end, a splice assembly having a flat body having a first elongated end, a second end opposite the first elongated end and a side wall extended between the first elongated end and second end, a first rib secured to the side wall of the body, said first rib having an elongated outer end spaced away from the side wall, and a second rib secured to the side wall of the body, said second rib being laterally spaced from and parallel to the first rib, said second rib having an elongated outer end spaced away from the side wall of the body, comprising:

• locating the flat body of the splice assembly perpendicular to the header,
• securing the flat body of the splice assembly to the header to maintain the flat body perpendicular to the header,
• moving the tubular column to locate the flat body, the first rib and the second rib within the open end of the tubular column and position the elongated outer ends of the first and second ribs adjacent the first wall of the tubular column,
• holding the elongated outer end of the first rib and the outer end of the second rib in engagement with the first wall of the tubular column, and
• holding the first end of the body in engagement with the second wall of the tubular column.

Splices for a frame assembly that supports a door for movement between a door open position and a door closed position relative to an opening in a structure, the frame assembly including a header located in an upright plane, said header having a first section and a second section opposite the first section,

• a first upright column having a first open upper end, a first wall and a second wall located perpendicular to the first wall, and
• a second upright column having a second open upper end, a third wall and a fourth wall located perpendicular to the third wall, said splices comprising:
• a first splice assembly permanently attached to the first section of the header,
• said first splice assembly having a first body engageable with the second wall of the first upright column and a plurality of first ribs having elongated flat outer ends joined to the first body, the first body and plurality of first ribs being located in the first open upper end of and adjacent to the first and second walls of the first upright column,
• first adjustable fasteners securing the first body of the first splice assembly to the first upright column and maintaining the first upright column in the upright plane of the header,
• said first adjustable fasteners including at least one first fastener mounted on the first upright column and operatively connected to the first body to hold the elongated flat outer ends of the plurality of first ribs in engagement with the first wall of the first upright column,
• a second splice assembly permanently attached to the second section of the header,
• said second splice assembly having a second body and a plurality of second ribs having elongated flat outer ends joined to the second body, the second body and plurality of second ribs being located in the second open upper end of and adjacent to the third and fourth walls of the second upright column,
• second adjustable fasteners securing the second body of the second splice assembly to the second upright column and maintaining the second upright column in the upright plane of the header, and
• said second adjustable fasteners including at least one second fastener mounted on the second upright column and operatively connected to the second body to hold the elongated flat outer ends of the plurality of second ribs in engagement with the third wall of the second upright column.

A splice assembly for a frame assembly supporting a door for movement between a door open position and a door closed position for opening and closing an opening in a structure, the frame assembling including a header, and a column having a first wall, a second wall located perpendicular to the first wall, and an open end, comprising:

• a splice assembly permanently attached to the header, said splice assembly being located in the open end of the column adjacent the first wall and the second wall,
• the splice assembly including a body having a first end and a second end opposite the first end and first and second ribs joined to the body, the first and second ribs each having an elongated flat outer edge engageable with the first wall of the column,
• adjustable fasteners securing the splice assembly to the column, and
• the adjustable fasteners including at least one first fastener supported by the column and operatively connected to the body for holding the elongated flat outer edge of each of the first and second ribs in engagement with the first wall of the column and at least one second fastener mounted on the column and engageable with the second end of the body for holding the first end of the body in engagement with the second wall of the column.