Patent Publication Number: US-6901706-B2

Title: Door hardware interconnected with overlying reinforcement plate

Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS 
   This is a continuation application of Ser. No. 09/682,114 now U.S. Pat. No. 6,430,876; filed Jul. 23, 2001 and incorporated by reference herein. 

   BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   1. Field of the Invention 
   The present invention relates generally to fenestration products, such as a door assembly, for installation into a house or building. More particularly, the present invention concerns an improved strike plate which reduces the risk of intrusion through the door. 
   2. Discussion of Prior Art 
   Those ordinarily skilled in the construction industry will appreciate that building security is highly dependent upon the strength of the exterior door assemblies. That is to say, intruders will often gain access to a building through an exterior door, and security of that structure may consequently be improved by reducing the risk of unauthorized access through the door. This has been previously indicated in our U.S. Pat. No. 6,085,465, issued Jul. 11, 2000, entitled DOOR REINFORCEMENT ASSEMBLY, assigned of record to the assignee of the present invention. 
   Our prior invention is particularly designed to address this problem by securing the door framework (e.g., one of the door jambs) to a reinforcement member fixed between the floor and the header of the structure. We have now determined that it would also be helpful to improve the locking and/or latching engagement of the door with the framework. However, to save significant time and expense, it would be highly desirable to accomplish this without sacrificing conventional door lock and latch designs. 
   OBJECTS AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   Responsive to these and other problems, an important object of the present invention is to provide an apparatus that reduces the risk of intrusion through a door assembly. It is also important that this object be achieved in a timely and inexpensive manner. In this respect, another important object of the present is to provide an apparatus that is designed to improve the latching and locking interengagement of a door and the corresponding framework, without requiring new latch or lock mechanism designs. That is to say, the present invention improves the latching and locking engagement provided by standard latch and lock mechanisms. 
   In accordance with these and other objects evident from the following description of the preferred embodiment, the present invention concerns an improved strike plate design that improves the latching and locking engagement of the door with the framework. In particular, the inventive strike plate includes a generally flat body having a bolt-receiving hole defined therein. The body is placed between the exterior and interior sides of the jamb, with the bolt-receiving hole being generally aligned with the bolt-receiving opening defined in the jamb. The strike plate further includes a substantially flat projection extending generally transversely from the body at a point spaced from the bolt-receiving hole. The projection is secured against the side of the jamb that the door moves past as it swings into and out of the closed position (i.e., the exterior or interior side of the jamb). In one embodiment, the projection is secured to the side of the jamb by a reinforcement plate attached to the side of the jamb to overlie the projection. In another embodiment, the projection includes a pair of tabs that project outwardly beyond the body, wherein each tab has a screw-receiving opening. 
   Although it is not entirely known as to how this strike plate design improves the locking and latching interengagement of the door and door framework, we believe that it is attributable to at least several factors. For example, the inventive strike plate is less likely to be dislodged from the jamb—a problem common to conventional strike plates when a large impact load is exerted against the exterior side of the door. Additionally, the projection itself is prevented from moving away from the corresponding side of the jamb (either by the reinforcement plate or the screws received in the tabs in the illustrated embodiments). This serves to reinforce the jamb so that the bolt cannot simply be pushed through the jamb, and to also maintain the strike plate in the desired location when an impact load is exerted against the opposite side of the door. Further, with the strike plate being securely mounted to the jamb, a large impact load exerted against the door produces a moment that is significantly less than the moment produced when the bolt engages the jamb inwardly from the plate (as is often the case with a conventional strike plate that has been dislodged from the jamb). 
   Other aspects and advantages of the present invention will be apparent from the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments and the accompanying drawing figures. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIGURES 
     Preferred embodiments of the invention are described in detail below with reference to the attached drawing figures, wherein: 
       FIG. 1  is a fragmentary perspective view of a door assembly that has been reinforced with an assembly constructed in accordance with the principles of the present invention; 
       FIG. 2  is an enlarged, fragmentary horizontal cross-sectional view of the door assembly shown in  FIG. 1 , particularly illustrating the strike plate and reinforcement plate attached to one of the jambs of the assembly; 
       FIG. 3  is an enlarged, perspective view of the strike plate shown in  FIGS. 1-2 ; 
       FIG. 4  is an elevational view of the strike plate shown in  FIGS. 1-3 ; 
       FIG. 5  is a perspective view of an alternative strike plate design, wherein the plate includes a pair of bolt-receiving holes; 
       FIG. 6  is a fragmentary perspective view of a third embodiment of the present invention, particularly illustrating a door assembly that has been reinforced with a strike plate constructed in accordance with the principles of the present invention; 
       FIG. 7  is an enlarged, fragmentary horizontal cross-sectional view of the door assembly shown in  FIG. 6 , particularly illustrating the strike plate being attached to one of the jambs of the assembly by a pair of long screws; 
       FIG. 8  is an enlarged, perspective view of the strike plate shown in  FIGS. 6-7 ; 
       FIG. 9  is an elevational view of the strike plate shown in  FIGS. 6-8 ; 
       FIG. 10  is a fragmentary prospective view of another embodiment of the present invention, particularly illustrating a door assembly that has been reinforced with a strike plate overlain by and coupled to a reinforcement plate; 
       FIG. 11  is an enlarged, fragmentary horizontal cross-sectional view of the door assembly shown in  FIG. 10 , particularly illustrating the strike plate and reinforcement plate attached to one of the jambs via a wood screw; 
       FIG. 12  is an enlarged, prospective view of the strike plate shown in  FIGS. 10-11 ; 
       FIG. 13  is an enlarged, fragmentary horizontal cross-sectional view of the door assembly shown in  FIG. 10 , particularly illustrating the strike plate and reinforcement plate attached to one another by a thread cutting screw; 
       FIG. 14  is an elevational view of the strike plate shown in  FIGS. 10-12 ; 
       FIG. 15  is an elevational view of a strike plate similar to that shown in  FIG. 14 , however, the body of the strike plate does not include screw receiving holes; 
       FIG. 16  is an enlarged, perspective view of a door hinge assembly according to another embodiment of the present invention; and 
       FIG. 17  is a horizontal, cross-sectional view of the hinge assembly shown in  FIG. 16  coupling a door to a jamb and at least partly overlain by and attached to a reinforcement plate. 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
   Turning initially to  FIG. 1 , the door assembly  10  selected for illustration is designed to be installed within a suitable opening (not shown) defined within a building frame (also not shown). It shall be understood that the term “building” as used herein means any structure having an interior which may be accessed through a door assembly (e.g., houses, multi-dwelling structures, commercial structures, etc.). The illustrated door assembly  10  includes an open framework comprising a pair of laterally spaced doorjambs  12  (only the left jamb being shown in the drawing figures) extending between the floor (not shown) and header (not shown) of the building frame, an upper crossbeam (not shown) extending between the jambs  12  adjacent the header, and a lower sill  14  (see  FIG. 2 ) extending between the jambs  12  adjacent the floor. A door  16  is mounted to the right jamb (not shown) for swinging movement into and out of a closed position, in which the door is received within the framework (see FIG.  1 ). The door  16  and the door framework are preferably formed of wood, although other suitable materials may be used. 
   In the illustrated embodiment, the door assembly is accompanied by a sidelight assembly  18 . The sidelight assembly  18  similarly includes an open framework having a pair of laterally spaced, upright jambs  20  (only the right jamb being shown in the drawing figures) extending between the floor and header, an upper cross-beam (not shown) extending between the jambs  20  adjacent the header, and a sill  22  extending between the jambs  20  adjacent the floor. The window framework is also preferably formed of wood. The jambs  20 , cross-beam and sill  22  cooperatively support a glass pane  24  therebetween. In the usual manner, the sidelight assembly  18  includes trimming  26  extending around the perimeter of the pane  24  for mounting the pane  24  in the framework and enhancing the appearance of the assembly. It will be appreciated that similar trimming may be provided around the framework of the door assembly  10 . Further, additional trimming may be provided to conceal any gaps defined between the assemblies  10 ,  18  and building frame  18  and any gaps defined between the assemblies. 
   If desired, a second sidelight assembly (not shown) maybe provided alongside the right door jamb. However, it is entirely within the ambit of the present invention to utilize the door assembly  10  in various other types of installations. For example, the door assembly  10  need not be accompanied by a sidelight assembly, but rather it may be installed between a pair of laterally spaced cripples (not shown) of the building frame (a so-called “single door application”). Further, instead of the door and sidelight assembly having separate jambs, a single member can be used as the jamb for both the door and the sidelight assembly. This configuration is commonly referred to as a “uni-jamb”. 
   With the foregoing caveats in mind, the door assembly  10  includes a stop  27  extending vertically along the left jamb  12  for preventing outward swinging movement of the door  16  beyond its closed position, as perhaps best shown in FIG.  2 . In this respect, the door  16  is permitted to move past the interior side  28  of the door jamb  12  as it swings into and out of the closed position, but not past the exterior side  29  of the jamb. The door  16  is further maintained in the closed position by latching and locking engagement with the left door jamb  12 . In particular, a standard lock mechanism  30  and standard latch mechanism  32  are mounted to the door  16 , and the left doorjamb is provided with a pair of bolt-receiving openings  34  and  36  for purposes which will subsequently be described. 
   Turning first to the latch mechanism  32 , the lower bolt-receiving opening  36  is configured to receive a spring-biased bolt  38  reciprocally mounted to the door  16 . In the usual manner, the bolt  38  is urged outwardly to be automatically inserted into the opening  36  when the door  16  is closed, thereby releasably retaining the door in its closed position. A rotatable interior handle  40  is coupled with the bolt  38  to shift the latter out of the opening  36 , and thereby unlatch the door  16 , when it is desired to swing the door  16  out of its closed position. As is custom, the outer end of the latch bolt  38  has an arcuate camming face (not shown) which cooperates with structure mounted to the left door jamb  12  to automatically shift the bolt  38  against the spring-bias as the door is swung to the closed position. 
   On the other hand, the lock mechanism  30  serves to lock the door  16  in its closed position. The lock mechanism  30  similarly includes a bolt  42  mounted to the door  16  for reciprocating movement into and out of the upper bolt-receiving opening  34 . However, the lock bolt  42  is not spring-biased, but rather an interior hand-operated turnscrew  44  serves to control reciprocating movement of the bolt  42 , along with a key-operated cylinder (not shown) mounted to the exterior side of the door. As perhaps best shown in  FIG. 2 , the upper bolt-receiving opening  34  extends into the adjacent window jamb  20  so that a high security lock mechanism with an extended bolt throw may be utilized. Of course, with a single door application, in which the door assembly  10  is not accompanied by a sidelight assembly, the bolt-receiving opening  34  would preferably extend into the adjacent cripple (not shown) of the building frame. In addition, if the left door jamb  12  and adjacent window jamb  20  are secured to a reinforcement member (not shown), as disclosed in our prior application, the reinforcement member is preferably provided with a slot for accommodating the lock bolt  42  when it is in the locked position. 
   Traditionally, a conventional strike plate (not shown) would be mounted adjacent each of the bolt-receiving openings  34  and  36 . The conventional strike plate serves to prevent contact between the bolts and the finished door jamb. However, conventional strike plates provide little, if any, reinforcement to the door jamb. In addition, a conventional strike plate is typically mounted to the doorjamb only by a pair of screws inserted into the exposed face (see reference numeral  46  in  FIGS. 1 and 2 ) of the door jamb. A conventional strike plate is consequently capable of being dislodged from the door jamb even with relatively insignificant impact loads exerted against the exterior side of the door. When dislodged, the conventional strike plate is incapable of preventing movement of the bolts through the door jamb, and the jamb is consequently likely to splinter or otherwise fail adjacent the bolt-receiving openings. In some instances, when an impact load is exerted against the exterior side of a door utilized with conventional strike plates, movement of the bolts is restricted by the doorjamb inside the bolt-receiving openings rather than at the exposed face of the jamb. The bolts consequently experience a relatively larger moment than an arrangement where movement of the bolts is restricted at the exposed face of the doorjamb. The bolts will likely bend or otherwise fail, and thereby permit swinging of the door out of its closed position. 
   The present invention is particularly designed to address these problems. In particular, improved strike plates  48  and  50  are mounted to the left door jamb  12  adjacent respective ones of the bolt-receiving openings  34  and  36 . The strike plates  48  and  50  are identical in construction. Thus, for the sake of brevity, only the upper strike plate  48  associated with the lock mechanism  30  will be described in detail herein, with the understanding that the lower strike plate  50  is similarly constructed. 
   The strike plate  48  comprises a flat body  52  that is placed along the exposed face  46  of the doorjamb  12 . As perhaps best shown in  FIG. 4 , the body  52  is generally rectangular in shape, presenting a pair of parallel, opposite ends  54  and  56  and a transverse side  58 . The opposite side of the body is not exposed (and is therefore not referenced by a numeral), but rather a cam element  60  projects from the opposite side for purposes which will be described further hereinbelow. Spaced generally equally between the ends  54 , 56  of the body  52  is a bolt-receiving hole  62  that is configured to receive the lock bolt  42 . The hole  62  is generally rectangular in shape, except for its rounded ends, although other hole shapes are within the ambit of the present invention, such as, for example, a rectangular hole with square corners. It will be appreciated that this design corresponds with the cross-sectional shape of many standard bolt constructions. A screw-receiving opening  64  and  65  (see  FIGS. 3 and 4 ) is defined in the body  52  between the bolt-receiving hole  62  and each end  54  and  56 . As shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , woodscrews  66  and  67  are inserted through the openings  64  and  65  and into the exposed face  46  of the left door jamb  12 . It will be noted that the screw-receiving openings  64 , 65  are counterbored so as to receive the tapered heads of the screws  66 , 67 . In addition, the body  52  is recessed within the jamb (see  FIG. 2 ) so that the outer face  68  of the body  52  lies generally flush with the exposed face  46  of the jamb  12 . This may require that a recess be cut into the jamb  12  (e.g., by use of a router) before the strike plate  48  is attached thereto. 
   The cam element  60  extends between the ends  54 , 56  of the body  52  and is generally coplanar with the body  52  except for an arcuate-shaped tip section  60   a . It will be noted that the cam element  60  projects beyond the interior side  28  of the door jamb  12 . With particular respect to the latch mechanism  32 , the cam element  60  cooperates with the rounded end of the latch bolt  38  in the usual manner to shift the bolt  38  inwardly against the spring-bias as the door is swung toward the closed position. Although the cam element  60  may be eliminated on the upper strike plate  48  because the lock bolt  42  is not spring-biased outwardly, it is believed that manufacturing and installation costs are actually reduced when a universal strike plate design is used rather than different strike plates for the lock mechanism  30  and latch mechanism  32 . However, it may be possible to use the inventive strike plate in conjunction with either locking mechanism  30  or latch mechanism  32 . 
   Extending generally along the unexposed side of the body  52  is a transverse, flat projection  72  that is configured for placement along the interior side  28  of the door jamb  12 . The projection has a rectangular shape and presents parallel, opposite ends  74  and  76  that are coplanar with the ends  54  and  56  of the body  52 . Similar to the body  52 , the projection  72  is recessed within the jamb (see  FIG. 2 ) so that the outer face  78  of the projection  72  lies generally flush with the interior side  28  of the jamb  12 . In this respect, the only portion of the strike plate  48  projecting outwardly beyond the jamb  12  is the cam element  60 . 
   The strike plate  48  is preferably formed of an extruded metal, such as aluminum, so that the body  52 , cam element  60  and projection  72  present an integral unit. In addition, the strike plate  48  is configured so that the bolt-receiving hole  62  is aligned with the bolt-receiving opening  34  when the projection  72  is secured against the jamb  12 . Accordingly, this configuration may vary depending on the location of the bolt-receiving opening  34 , which in turn depends upon the location of the lock mechanism  30  when the door  16  is in the closed position. With respect to the illustrated embodiment, the hole  62  is closer to the exposed side of the body  58  than the projection  72  (see FIG.  4 ). 
   In the embodiment illustrated in  FIGS. 1-4 , the projection  72  is prevented from disengaging the jamb  12  by a rectangular-shaped, flat reinforcement plate  80 . The reinforcement plate  80  and door jamb  12  are substantially coextensive (i.e., plate  80  might be slightly shorter than the full length of the jamb  12  to permit proper alignment with the holes in the jamb), with the plate  80  extending substantially the same length as jamb  12  and overlying the door jamb  12  and a substantial portion of the window jamb  20  (see FIG.  2 ). In this respect, the reinforcement plate  80  also overlies the projections of each of the strike plates  48  and  50 . The reinforcement plate  80  is provided with a plurality of screw-receiving holes, which are spaced in pairs along the length of the plate  80 , so that long woodscrews  82  may be inserted through the plate  80  and into jambs  12 , 20 . Because the reinforcement plate  80  is fastened against the interior sides of the jambs  12 , 20 , the screws may have a length corresponding generally to the dimension between the interior side  28  and exterior side  29  of the left door jamb  12 . Consequently, the fastening power preventing dislodgment of the strike plates  48 , 50  is significantly greater than that offered by a pair of screws inserted into the exposed face  46  of the doorjamb  12  (as would be the case with a conventional strike plate). It will be noted that the screw-receiving openings in the reinforcement plate  80  are spaced in such a manner as to avoid interference with the projections of the strike plates  48  and  50 . 
   The reinforcement plate  80  is preferably formed of an extruded metal, such as aluminum, although other suitable materials (e.g., fiberglass, tile, etc.) maybe used. Those ordinarily skilled in the art will appreciate that the illustrated reinforcement plate  80  serves to strengthen the door framework in the same manner as the devices disclosed in our prior application. However, it is entirely within the ambit of the present invention to vary the construction of the reinforcement plate, if desired. For example, a pair of reinforcement plates maybe used, one for each of the strike plates  48  and  50 . In addition, the reinforcement plate  80  maybe secured only to the door jamb  12  or, in the case of a single door application, to the door jamb  12  and the adjacent cripple (not shown). It is also not critical that the reinforcement plate have a solid configuration, as illustrated (e.g., the plate may be perforated, if desired). The reinforcement plate  80  can be covered with suitable trimming, as noted above, or left exposed, whichever is preferred. Alternatively, the reinforcement plate can be covered with a decorative cover plate such as, for example, the cover plate disclosed in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/587,863, filed Jun. 6, 2000, incorporated herein by reference. If desired, the projection  72  may be provided with screw-receiving openings (not shown) to further secure the projection to the door jamb  12 . However, the openings must be located so that the long woodscrews inserted into the door jamb  12  do not interfere with the bolt-receiving openings  34  and  36 . 
   In use, the strike plates  48  and  50  serve to significantly improve the locking and latching interengagement of the door  16  and door jamb  12 . Particularly, when an intruder attempts to gain access through the door assembly  10  by exerting a large impact load against the exterior side of the door  16 , the strike plates  48  and  50  are not likely to be dislodged from the doorjamb  12 . This is primarily attributable to the fact that the reinforcement plate  80  and, to a lesser extent, the screws  66  and  67  cooperatively prevent the projections of the plates  48  and  50  from disengaging the door jamb  12 . With the projections being secured along the interior side  28  of the jamb at the same elevation as the respective bolt-receiving openings  34  and  36 , the bolts  38  and  42  cannot simply be pushed through the door jamb  12 . Additionally, when an impact load is exerted against the exterior side of the door  16 , movement of the door  16  is restricted primarily by engagement of the bolts  38  and  42  against the respective strike plates  50  and  48 . The resulting moments generated by such engagement is not likely to cause bending or failure of the bolts  38  and  42 . 
   The preferred forms of the invention described above are to be used as illustration only, and should not be utilized in a limiting sense in interpreting the scope of the present invention. Obvious modifications to the exemplary embodiments, as hereinabove set forth, could be readily made by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit of the present invention. 
   For example, the present invention contemplates a single strike plate  100  having a pair of bolt-receiving holes  102  and  104  for accommodating the bolts of both the lock and latch mechanisms, as shown in FIG.  5 . The strike plate  100  is otherwise very similar to the plates  48 , 50  shown in  FIGS. 1-4 , except that the strike plate  100  is elongated to extend generally the length of the two plates  48 , 50  combined. In addition, the strike plate  100  includes an extra pair of screw-receiving openings  106  and  108  located between the bolt-receiving holes  102  and  104 . Notwithstanding these differences, the strike plate  100  is mounted to the door jamb in the same manner as the plates  48  and  50 , with a reinforcement plate being attached to the interior side of the jamb to overlie the projection  110 . 
   Another embodiment of the present invention is shown in  FIGS. 6-9 , wherein a pair of strike plates  200  and  202  are mounted to the door jamb  204 . The strike plates  200  and  202  are identical in construction, and accordingly, only the upper strike plate  200  associated with the lock mechanism  206  will be described in detail herein, with the understanding the lower strike plate  202  associated with the latch mechanism  208  is similarly constructed. Similar to the strike plates  48  and  50  shown in  FIGS. 1-4 , the strike plate  200  includes a flat body  210  having a bolt-receiving hole  212  defined therein, a cam element  214  projecting from one side of the body  210 , and a flat projection  216  projecting transversely from the body  210 . However, the projection  216  extends outwardly beyond the ends  218  and  220  of the body  210  to present a pair of tabs  224  and  226 , each of which includes a screw-receiving opening  228  and  230  (see FIGS.  8  and  9 ). Accordingly, the projection  216  is prevented from disengaging the door jamb  204  by long woodscrews  232  and  234  inserted through the openings  228  and  230  and into the jamb  204 . Notwithstanding this distinction, the strike plates  200  and  202  operate in virtually the same manner and provide the same benefits as the previously described strike plates. 
   Another embodiment of the present invention is shown in  FIGS. 10-13 , wherein a pair of strike plates  300  and  302  are mounted to a door jamb  304 . Strike plates  300  and  302  are identical in construction, and accordingly, only upper strike plate  300  associated with the lock mechanism  306  will be described in detail herein, with the understanding that lower strike plate  302  associated with latch mechanism  308  is similarly constructed. Similar to the strike plates  200  and  202  shown in  FIGS. 6-9 , strike plate  300  includes a flat body  310  having a bolt-receiving hole  312  defined therein, a cam element  314  projecting from one side of body  310 , and a flat projection  316  projecting transversely from body  310  and extending outwardly beyond ends  318  and  320  of body  310  to present a pair of tabs  324  and  326 . However, as perhaps best shown in  FIG. 12 , in this embodiment tabs  324  and  326  are not manufactured with screw-receiving holes therein. Rather, projection  316  is initially formed to present an outer face  328  having substantially no apertures therein. 
   When strike plate  300  is placed against door jamb  304  and overlain by reinforcement plate  330 , the screw-receiving holes in reinforcement plate  330 , can be used as a template for drilling screw receiving holes in projection  316 . The post-manufacture drilling of holes in projection  316  avoids alignment problems between the screw-receiving holes in reinforcement plate  330  and the screw-receiving holes in projection  316 . Such alignment problems are especially common when existing door assemblies are retrofitted with the reinforcing system of the present invention. 
   As shown in  FIG. 11 , woodscrews  332  can be employed to fasten reinforcement plate  330  to sidelight jamb  333  and door jamb  304 . On door-side jamb  304 , certain woodscrews  332  will extend through aligned screw-receiving holes in both the reinforcement plate  330  and projection  316 . In an alternative embodiment, shown in  FIG. 13 , the screws which extend through both the reinforcement plate  330  and the projection  316  can be thread-cutting screws  334 . Thread-cutting screws  334  extend through reinforcement plate  330  and threadably engage projection  316 . Thus, thread-cutting screws  334  fasten strike plate  300  to reinforcement plate  330 , thereby more securely holding door  336  relative to door jamb  304 . 
   Another embodiment of the present invention is shown in  FIGS. 14-15 , wherein a strike plate  400 , similar to those described above, includes a flat body  402  having a bolt-receiving hole  404  defined therein, a cam element  406  projecting from one side of body  402 , and a flat projection  408  projecting transversely from body  402 . Similar to strike plates  48  and  50 , shown in  FIGS. 1-5 , in this embodiment projection  408  presents parallel, opposite ends  410  and  412  that are coplanar with ends  414  and  416  of body  402 . In other words, projection  408  does not have tabs which extend beyond ends  414  and  416  of body  402 . However, in this embodiment projection  408  includes screw-receiving openings  418  and  420  therein. Thus, screws  422  are extended through aligned openings in both the reinforcement plate  423  and projection  408  to secure strike plate  400  to the door jamb (not shown). The screw-receiving opens  418  and  420  in projection  408  can be formed during the manufacture of strike plate  400  or can, alternatively, be drilled during assembly of the inventive system using the reinforcement plate  423  as a template. 
   As shown in  FIG. 14 , body  402  of strike plate  400  can include a screw openings  424  and  426  for further fastening strike plate  400  to the door jamb. Because screws extending through screw openings  424  and  426  and screw-receiving openings  418  and  420  may intersect one another it is preferred that screw openings  424  and  426  and screw-receiving openings  418  and  420  be vertically spaced from one another. Alternatively, as best illustrated in  FIG. 15 , body  402  of strike plate  400  can be manufacture without screw-receiving openings therein. In such a configuration, screws  422  extending through reinforcement plate  423  and projection  408  are the primary means of securing reinforcement plate  400  to the door jamb. 
   As shown in  FIGS. 16-17 , the inventive reinforcement system of the present invention can be implemented for use with door hardware other than strike plates.  FIG. 16  shows a door hinge assembly  500  comprising a door-side hinge member  502  and a jam-side hinge member  504  adapted to be pivotally coupled to one another by a hinge pin  506 . Door-side hinge member  502  includes a substantially flat body  508  and a projection  510  extending generally transverse from body  508 . Jam-side hinge member  504  includes a substantially flat body  512  and a projection  514  extending generally transverse from body  512 . 
   Referring now to  FIG. 17 , door-side hinge member  502  is preferably positioned on a door  516  so that substantially flat body  508  is received flushly against an edge  518  of door  516  and projection  510  is received flushly against an inside surface  520  of door  516 . Door-side hinge member  502  is preferably coupled to door  516  via a plurality of wood screws  522  which extend through door-side holes  524  in body  508  and threadably engage door  516 . In this configuration, projection  510  of door-side hinge member  502  inhibits separation of hinge member  502  and door  516  when an inward normal force is applied to an outside surface  526  of door  516 . 
   Jam-side hinge member  504  is preferably positioned on hinge-side jam  528  so that flat body  512  is received flushly against an exposed face  530  of jam  528  and projection  514  is received flushly against an inside surface  532  of jam  528 . Jam-side hinge member  504  can be attached to jam  528  in the same manner described above with reference to attaching a strike plate to a door jam. Preferably, substantially flat body  512  includes a plurality of jam-side holes  534  through which wood screws  536  can be extended for engagement with jam  528 . Further, a reinforcement plate  538  overlays projection  514  and is coupled to jam  528  via wood screws  540 . At least one additional screw  542  extends through both reinforcement plate  538  and projection  514 . Screw  542  can be a wood screw (now shown) which extends through both reinforcement plate  538  and projection  514  and threadably engages jam  528 . Most preferably, screw  542  is a thread-cutting screw (as shown in  FIG. 17 ) which extends through reinforcement plate  538  and threadably engages projection  514  to thereby fasten reinforcement plate  538  and jam-side hinge member  504  to one another. 
   The inventors hereby state their intent to rely on the Doctrine of Equivalents to determine and assess the reasonably fair scope of the present invention as pertains to any apparatus not materially departing from but outside the literal scope of the invention as set forth in the following claims.