Frame strengthening apparatus and method

An improved frame, comprising:

• a doorjamb having a facing surface and a pair of outer edge surfaces generally perpendicular to said facing surface, said outer edge surfaces defining the width of said doorjamb and comprising an inside edge surface and an outside edge surface;
• a first rigid member having a first end disposed through both of said outer edge surfaces of said doorjamb;
• a second rigid member having a first end disposed through both of said outer edge surfaces of said doorjamb and spaced apart a distance from said first rigid member;
• a plate member disposed adjacent to said first ends of said first and second rigid members and connecting said first and second rigid members.

Frame strengthening apparatus, comprising:

• a door frame;
• a door hinged on said door frame and adapted to swing between an open and a closed position;
• a latching apparatus disposed in said door, said latching apparatus including a latch member slidingly disposed between an extended position and a contracted position;
• a frame member of said door frame having a facing surface and a pair of outer edge surfaces generally perpendicular to said facing surface, said outer edge surfaces defining the width of said frame member;
• a trim member disposed against at least one of said outer edge surfaces of said frame member;
• a first fastener disposed through both of said pair of outer edge surfaces of said frame member and through said trim member;
• a second fastener disposed through both of said pair of outer edge surfaces of said frame member and through said trim member and spaced apart from said first fastener;
• a bore formed in said facing surface of said frame member at a location between said first and second fasteners, for receiving said latch member when said latch member is in said extended position;
• and
• a plate member disposed generally parallel to one of said outer edge surfaces and connecting said first and second fasteners.

A method for strengthening a door frame, comprising the steps of:

• providing a doorjamb having a facing surface and a pair of outer edge surfaces adjacent to said facing surface and defining the width of said doorjamb;
• forming a first bore into said facing surface for receiving a latching device of a latching apparatus;
• forming a second bore through both of said pair of outer edge surfaces of said doorjamb above said first bore;
• forming a third bore through both of said pair of outer edge surfaces of said doorjamb below said first bore;
• disposing a fastener through each of said second and third bores;
• connecting a plate between said fasteners;
• tightening said fasteners to clamp the entire width of said doorjamb above and below said first bore.