Abstract:
A method and device for buttressing a sliding door. The sliding door includes a door frame having a locking edge and a free edge. A supporting member is coupled to the free edge of the door frame. The supporting member includes a body portion and an end portion. The body portion of the supporting member is disposed in alignment with the free edge of the door frame and has at least one hole disposed therethrough for coupling the supporting member to the doorframe. The end portion of the supporting member is positioned to extend beyond the free edge of the door frame when in a deployed position.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
       [0001]     The present invention relates to the field of doors. More particularly, the invention pertains to devices and methods for increasing the resistance of sliding glass doors and frames to impinging forces, such as, for example, high winds and projectile impacts potentially encountered during hurricanes, and attempted forced entries.  
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0002]     Homeowners, sliding door manufacturers, the insurance industry, public safety groups and governmental and quasi-governmental agencies alike are concerned regarding the ability of sliding glass doors to withstand the severe wind and impact conditions often encountered during hurricanes. Due to these concerns, many towns, counties and safety boards and agencies, as well as manufacturer industry groups, have created standard tests for such doors to pass that are designed to simulate the conditions that may be present during a hurricane and other severe weather conditions. These tests include large projectile impact tests and cyclic wind pressure loading tests. Manufacturers have found that due to certain design characteristics of a sliding glass door unit, the doors pop out of the frame or portions of the frame of the unit fail during certain high wind conditions, and during a certain combination of the impact and cyclic wind tests. The purpose of the tests is to minimize the risk to life and limb and the potential property damage that may occur during sever weather such as hurricanes.  
         [0003]     It has been found that during a hurricane, if certain minimum amounts of air penetrate a closed home, a vacuum is created inside the home that results in the roof being blown off the home. This has caused insurance premiums to skyrocket and has made such insurance unaffordable to many. In order to minimize the risk of such air infiltration due to sliding glass patio doors shattering during such weather, manufacturers use special, shatter-proof, silicon safety glass for doors to be used in homes in regions susceptible to hurricanes. Additionally, the glass in held in the frame using special frame designs and a special silicone glue. Because the glass of the doors will not shatter or come out of the door frame, the force of high winds and impacts is transferred to the door body and opening frames. Any area of weakness on these door bodies or opening frames may cause the unit to fail during hurricane conditions.  
         [0004]     For cost, ease of use, and aesthetic reasons, sliding glass door units are assembled at the factory and delivered to homes in one piece. The unit is composed of one or two door panels (with either one or both slideable), and an opening frame. The opening frame is placed in the door opening of the building, attached to the frame of the building with screws, and then the sliding glass door panels are inserted into the opening frame by lifting and tilting the door panel slightly and inserting the top of the door panel into the top of the opening frame, straightening the door panel by moving the bottom flush with the bottom of the opening frame, and then lowering the door panel into the bottom of the opening frame. Because the door is lowered into the bottom of the opening frame a space is created at the upper portion of the opening frame between the top of the opening frame and the top of the door panel. Thus, at the upper portion of the door panels the only support for the door panel is the interior portion of the top of the opening frame which extends only minimally below the top of the door panel. Under high wind conditions and strong impacts the interior portion of the top of the opening frame has been found to fail, and the sliding doors are pushed into the home (essentially jumping the frame), creating an opening that could lead to the risk to life and limb and additional property damage.  
         [0005]     In a similar fashion, when the sliding glass door units are subjected to a missile impact test, followed by a cyclic wind pressure loading test, it has been found that the initial impact cracks the opening frame on the side of the doors integral with the door lock, and after extensive wind cycling, the interior portion of the opening frame will fail allowing the door to break through the frame and creating an opening that could lead to the risk to life and limb and additional property damage.  
         [0006]     As a result of the increased stresses placed on the opening and door frames of sliding door units during hurricane and other intrusion conditions, it is necessary to design solutions that minimize the risk to life and limb and property during such events. The present invention provides such a solution by minimizing the possibility of the sliding doors intruding into the building (e.g., jumping out of the opening frame) and creating a dangerous opening condition if a frame failure occurs, with a low-cost, simple modification that can be installed at the factory or added to existing door units, without the need to redesign or replace the current door units.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0007]     The present invention provides a device and method for increasing the resistance of sliding glass doors and frames to impinging forces, including high winds and projectile impacts potentially encountered during hurricanes, and forced entries thereby minimizing the possibility of the sliding door being pushed out of the opening frame during such conditions. The present invention will therefore allow the sliding door units to successfully pass the standard tests currently used in the industry, as well as withstand such conditions during normal use.  
         [0008]     The present invention provides one or more adjustable supporting members or beams that may be coupled to the top, bottom, or both top and bottom of an edge of the door frame that does not engage the opening frame at a vertical plane when the door is closed (which for simplicity sake will be referred to herein as the locking edge of the door frame). The supporting member or beam is most effective when positioned near the vertical edge of the door frame opposite the locking edge (for simplicity sake, the free edge of the door frame). The supporting member or beam may be utilized for both flat edged door frames and grooved door frames.  
         [0009]     For a flat edged door frame, one or more supporting members may be adjustably coupled to the free edge of the door frame at one or more of the upper free edge and the lower free edge facing the vertical portion of the opening frame. The supporting members may have a flat surface that is aligned with the free edge of the door frame. Upon insertion of the sliding door into the opening frame, the one or more supporting members may be adjusted such that they are positioned within one or more of the u-shaped grooves formed by the inside, upper or lower and outside edges of the opening frame (the “opening frame grooves”). The supporting members may then be maintained in such position using one or more fasteners, such as, for example, screws, bolts, pins, snaps, grommets, latches, glue, nails, staples, tape, clamps, or some other fastening means.  
         [0010]     For a grooved door frame, one or more supporting members may be positioned in similar locations and maintained in such positions as described for the flat edged door frame, with the difference being that the supporting members will have a protuberance for alignment with the groove of the door frame. The protuberances on the supporting members may be of any shape, so long as they are not wider (referring to the width of the supporting member when measured in the direction from the exterior to the interior of the door frame) at the portions that are inserted into the opening frame grooves than the opening frame grooves, and the supporting member may be of any width so long as it does not interfere with the free movement of the sliding door.  
         [0011]     When positioned within one or more of the opening frame grooves, the one or more supporting members fills a portion of the opening frame grooves and supports the sliding door within the opening frame grooves thereby preventing the sliding door from being pushed out of the opening frame by external forces, such as, for example, high winds, debris impacts or attempted forced entries.  
         [0012]     The supporting member may include a groove running laterally along its bottom portion (in the direction of movement of the sliding door) to allow the supporting member to be positioned at a lowermost position within the opening frame bottom groove straddling the sliding door roller track so that there is no interference from the sliding door roller track that is located along the bottom of the opening frame. The groove may be shaped so as to allow adaptability to any shaped roller track, including roller tracks that are secured to the opening frame with a screw or bolt.  
         [0013]     The supporting member may alternatively be located primarily or totally within the groove or an end portion of the free edge of the door frame. Such a supporting member may be maintained in a recessed or extended position using a latch and/or bolt or a fastener as described above. During installation of the sliding door in the opening frame the supporting member is maintained in the recessed position and after installation, the supporting member may be moved to an extended position.  
         [0014]     The supporting member may also be maintained in an initial bent or folded position and extended or unfolded such that the supporting member is positioned within the opening frame groove and maintained there using a fastener as described above.  
         [0015]     The supporting member may include a further groove in the portion that is extended or inserted into the opening frame groove for positioning over a screw or other fastener when the sliding door is in the closed position for purposes of further strengthening the supporting member and preventing the sliding door from being forced out of the opening frame.  
         [0016]     The supporting member may be fashioned from a variety of materials, including materials such as, for example, metal, plastic, wood, another rigid material or a combination of two or more of any such materials.  
         [0017]     The present invention also provides for the positioning of one or more supporting bars or snubbers within the groove formed by the vertical side of the opening frame where the locking mechanism is located (the “locking edge of the opening frame”), to provide additional support to the opening frame and prevent cracking of the opening frame due to impinging forces and/or cycling forces. The supporting bar or snubber may be a single bar that runs the entire length of the locking edge groove of the opening frame (from top to bottom) or multiple bars that each occupy only a portion of the locking edge groove and that are each positioned at intervals within the locking edge groove. The supporting bar or snubber provides additional support and strength to the locking edge groove and prevents the cracking of the interior portion of the locking edge of the opening frame and infiltration of the door into the structure and unacceptable air gaps between the sliding door and the opening frame.  
         [0018]     When utilized in conjunction with sliding doors having a groove, the supporting bar or snubber may be shaped such that a portion of the supporting bar or snubber may be positioned within the groove of the locking edge of the sliding door. When utilized in conjunction with sliding doors that do not have a groove, the supporting bar or snubber may be shaped such that the supporting bar or snubber extends to a portion of the exterior and interior sides of the locking edge of the sliding door. The supporting bar or snubber may also include an adaptive portion for conformance with the locking mechanism of the sliding door. The supporting bar or snubber is situated such that it does not restrict movement of the sliding door. Any incremental reduction in the space between the locking edge of the sliding door frame and the locking edge of the opening frame strengthens the unit by making the doors more tightly secure in the frame. The supporting bar or snubber is adaptable to a roller track positioned in the lower groove of the opening frame.  
         [0019]     The supporting bar or snubber may be attached to the opening frame utilizing any of the fasteners described above. The supporting bar or snubber may be comprised of metal, plastic, wood, another rigid material or a combination of two or more of any such materials.  
         [0020]     Each of the supporting members and the supporting bars may be attached to the sliding door or the opening frame during manufacture in a permanent or removable fashion, in either case providing for adjustment upon installation. Alternatively, each of the supporting members and the supporting bars may be provided for retrofit or attachment at the installation site of the sliding doors and opening frame. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0021]      FIG. 1  shows a 3/4 view of a supporting member with a protuberance for coupling with a free edge of a grooved door frame of a sliding door according to a first embodiment of the present invention.  
         [0022]      FIG. 2  shows a 3/4 view of the supporting member of  FIG. 1  aligned with a free edge of a grooved door frame of a sliding door.  
         [0023]      FIG. 3 ( a ) shows a cross sectional profile view of the supporting member of  FIG. 1  coupled to an upper portion of the free edge of a grooved door frame of a sliding door located within the head of the opening frame.  
         [0024]      FIG. 3 ( b ) shows a frontal view of the supporting member of  FIG. 3 ( a ) with the head of the opening frame shown in a cross sectional cut away view.  
         [0025]      FIG. 4 ( a ) shows a cross sectional profile view of the supporting member of  FIG. 1  coupled to a lower portion of the free edge of a grooved door frame of a sliding door located within the sill of the opening frame.  
         [0026]      FIG. 4 ( b ) shows a frontal view of the supporting member of  FIG. 4 ( a ) with the head of the opening frame shown in a cross sectional cut away view.  
         [0027]      FIG. 5  shows a 3/4 view of a supporting member with a protuberance for coupling with a free edge of a grooved door frame of a sliding door according to a second embodiment of the present invention.  
         [0028]      FIG. 6 ( a ) shows a cross sectional profile view of the supporting member of  FIG. 5  coupled to an upper portion of the free edge of a grooved door frame of a sliding door located within the head of the opening frame, including a supporting screw in the head of the opening frame.  
         [0029]      FIG. 6 ( b ) shows a frontal view of the supporting member of  FIG. 6 ( a ) with the head portion of the opening frame shown in a cross sectional cut away view.  
         [0030]      FIG. 7  shows a 3/4 view of a supporting bar [snubber] for coupling with the locking edge of a grooved door frame of a sliding door according to an embodiment of the present invention.  
         [0031]      FIG. 8  shows a cross sectional view along a horizontal plane, of the supporting bar of  FIG. 7  coupled to a locking edge of the opening frame with a sliding door positioned within the opening frame adjacent to the supporting bar. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION  
       [0032]     The following are descriptions of embodiments of the present invention. In  FIG. 1  there is shown a 3/4 view of a supporting member with a protuberance for coupling with a free edge of a grooved door frame of a sliding door according to a first embodiment of the present invention. As shown in  FIG. 1 , supporting member  2  is constructed of nylon and is shaped like an elongated L-bracket. The supporting member  2  includes an elongated portion  4  having a rectangular shaped protuberance  6 , disposed at the rear portion  8  of the supporting member  2 . The protuberance  6  may alternatively be constructed in any shape. The protuberance  6  extends the entire length of the elongated portion  4  of the supporting member  2 . The rear portion  8  of the supporting member  2  may alternatively be protuberance free. Inclusion of a protuberance on the supporting member  2  will depend primarily on whether the free edge of the sliding door to which the supporting member  2  is to be coupled is grooved or ungrooved. For a sliding door having a grooved free edge, the protuberance  6  will generally be included on the supporting member  2  and will be positioned within the groove of the free edge of the sliding door.  
         [0033]     At a first end  10  of the supporting member  2  an end portion  12  extends perpendicular to and in a forward direction from the elongated portion  4  of the supporting member  2  and is substantially rectangular in shape. The end portion  12 , however, may be of any shape. Positioned concentric with the center line  14  of the elongated portion  4  of the supporting member  2  and disposed therein are two holes  16  for insertion of fasteners, such as, for example, screws or bolts, although any type of fastener may be used. These holes  16  are located at the upper half of the supporting member  2  and are separated one from the other such that one is located near the end of the elongated portion  4  opposite the end portion  12  and the other is located near the center of the elongated portion  4 . There is also a channel  18  disposed above and near the end portion  12  of the supporting member  2  along the center line  14  of the elongated portion  4  of the supporting member  2 . The channel  18  is configured for insertion of a fastener such that the supporting member  2  will be capable of being adjustably positioned along the free edge of a sliding door upon removal of the fasteners from the holes  16  and loosening of the fastener positioned in the channel  18 .  
         [0034]     Disposed along the bottom edge  20  of the end portion  12  of the supporting member  2  is a groove  22  that runs the entire length of the end portion  12  and is open at both a first end  24  of the end portion  12  and at a second end  26  of the end portion  12 . The groove  22  allows the supporting member  2  to be positioned with a maximum extension within an opening frame of the sliding door without interfering with movement of the sliding door as a result of friction from a door track disposed at the sill portion of the opening frame. The groove  22  allows the supporting member  2  to straddle the door track without significant abrasion against the door track or inhibiting movement of the sliding door.  
         [0035]     Looking next at  FIG. 2 , there is shown the supporting member of  FIG. 1  aligned with a free edge  30  of a door frame  32  of a sliding door  34 . The protuberance  6  is disposed within the door frame groove  36  and the end portion  12  of the supporting member  2  is disposed within the sill  38  of the opening frame  40 . As positioned in  FIG. 2 , the end portion  12  of the supporting member  2  is able to straddle the door track  42  at the location of the groove  22  such that the door track rail  44  is able to sit within the groove  22  without significantly abrading against the end portion  12  of the supporting member  2 . The end portion  12  of the supporting member  2  is also positioned such that there is minimal to no inhibition of the movement of the sliding door  34 . Each of the holes  16  has inserted therethrough a Philips head screw  46 , although any type of screw or other type of fastener may be used, and the channel  18  also has positioned therethrough a Philips head screw  48  to further support and minimize lateral movement of the supporting member  2 .  
         [0036]     Looking now at  FIG. 3 ( a ), there is shown a profile view (in cross section) of the supporting member of  FIG. 1  coupled to an upper portion of the free edge of a grooved door frame of a sliding door located within the head portion of the opening frame. The supporting member  2  is shown in the deployed position. The protuberance  6  on the supporting member  2  is inserted in the door frame groove  36  and the end portion  12  of the supporting member  2  is positioned in a head portion  50  of an opening frame  52  such that the sliding door  34  is more securely supported within the opening frame  52 . The supporting member  2  is coupled to the free edge  30  of the door frame  32  and held in place with two Philips head screws  46  disposed through the holes  16  and a third Philips head screw  48  disposed through the channel  18 . The sliding door  34  containing the supporting member  2  is freely movable within the opening frame  52  and the positioning of the end portion  12  of the supporting member  2  within the head portion  50  of the opening frame  52  does not impede movement of the sliding door  34 .  
         [0037]     In  FIG. 3 ( b ) there is shown a frontal view of the supporting member of  FIG. 3 ( a ) with the head portion of the opening frame shown in a cross sectional cut away view. As was shown in  FIG. 3 ( a ), the supporting member  2  is in a deployed position. The end portion  12  of the supporting member  2  is positioned within the head portion  50  of the opening frame  52 . There is small amount of clearance provided between the end portion  12  of the supporting member  2  and the top of the head portion  50  of the opening frame  52  to allow for free movement of the sliding door  34  within the opening frame  52 . The supporting member  2  is coupled to the free edge  30  of the door frame  32  using two Philips head screws  46  inserted through the holes  16  and a Philips head screw  48  inserted through channel  18 . The end portion  12  of the supporting member  2  has a width substantially equal to the width of a sash  54  of the sliding door  34 , and the end portion  12  of the supporting member  2  fits within the head portion  50  of the opening frame  52  with little or no spacing therebetween. Looking now at  FIG. 4 ( a ), there is shown a profile view (in cross section) of the supporting member of  FIG. 1  coupled to a lower portion of the free edge of a grooved door frame of a sliding door located within the sill portion of the opening frame. The supporting member  2  is shown in the deployed position. The protuberance  6  on the supporting member  2  is inserted in the door frame groove  36  and the end portion  12  of the supporting member  2  is positioned in a sill portion  60  of the opening frame  52  with the groove  22  positioned such that it straddles the door track rail  44  in a substantially non-abutting manner such that the sliding door  34  is more securely supported within the opening frame  52 . The supporting member  2  is coupled to the free edge  30  of the door frame  32  and held in place with two Philips head screws  62  disposed through the holes  16  and a third Philips head screw  64  disposed through the channel  18 . The sliding door  34  containing the supporting member  2  is freely movable within the opening frame  52  and the positioning of the end portion  12  of the supporting member  2  within the sill portion  60  of the opening frame  52  does not impede movement of the sliding door  34 .  
         [0038]     In  FIG. 4 ( b ) there is shown a frontal view of the supporting member of  FIG. 4 ( a ) with the sill portion of the opening frame shown in a cross sectional cut away view. As was shown in  FIG. 4 ( a ), the supporting member  2  is in a deployed position. The end portion  12  of the supporting member  2  is positioned within the sill portion  60  of the opening frame  52  with the groove  22  straddling the door track rail  44 . There is a small amount of clearance provided between the end portion  12  of the supporting member  2  and the door track  42  at the bottom of the opening frame  52  and between the groove  22  and the door track rail  44  to allow for free movement of the sliding door  34  within the opening frame  52 . The supporting member  2  is coupled to the free edge  30  of the door frame  32  using two Philips head screws  62  inserted through the holes  16  and a Philips head screw  64  inserted through the channel  18 . The end portion  12  of the supporting member  2  has a width substantially equal to the width of the sash  54  of the sliding door  34 , and the end portion  12  of the supporting member  2  fits within the sill portion  60  of the opening frame  52  with little or no spacing therebetween.  
         [0039]     In  FIG. 5  there is shown a 3/4 view of a supporting member with a protuberance for coupling with a free edge of a grooved door frame of a sliding door according to a second embodiment of the present invention. As shown in  FIG. 5 , supporting member  102  is constructed of nylon and is shaped like an elongated L-bracket. The supporting member  102  includes an elongated portion  104  having a rectangular shaped protuberance  106 , disposed at the rear portion  108  of the supporting member  102 . The protuberance  106  may alternatively be formed in any shape. The protuberance  106  extends the entire length of the elongated portion  104  of the supporting member  102 . The rear portion  108  of the supporting member  102  may alternatively be protuberance free. Inclusion of a protuberance on the supporting member  102  will depend primarily on whether the free edge of the sliding door to which the supporting member  102  is to be coupled is grooved or ungrooved. For a sliding door having a grooved free edge, the protuberance  106  will generally be included on the supporting member  102  and will be positioned within the groove of the free edge of the sliding door.  
         [0040]     At a first end  110  of the supporting member  102  an end portion  112  extends perpendicular to and in a forward direction from the elongated portion  104  of the supporting member  102  and is substantially rectangular in shape. The end portion  112 , however, may be of any shape. Positioned concentric with the center line  114  of the elongated portion  104  of the supporting member  102  and disposed therein are two holes  116  for insertion of fasteners, such as, for example, screws or bolts, although any type of fastener may be used. These holes  116  are located at the upper half of the supporting member  102  and are separated one from the other such that one is located near the end of the elongated portion  104  opposite the end portion  112  and the other is located near the center of the elongated portion  104 . There is also a channel  118  disposed above and near the end portion  112  of the supporting member  102  along the center line  114  of the elongated portion  104  of the supporting member  102 . The channel  118  is configured for insertion of a fastener such that the supporting member  102  will be capable of being adjustably positioned along the free edge of a sliding door upon removal of the fasteners from the holes  116  and loosening of the fastener positioned in the channel  118 .  
         [0041]     Disposed along the bottom edge  120  of the end portion  112  of the supporting member  102  is a “T” shaped groove  122  that runs the entire length of the end portion  112  and is open at both a first end  124  of the end portion  112  and at a second end  126  of the end portion  112 . The groove  122  allows the supporting member  102  to be positioned with a maximum extension within an opening frame of the sliding door without interfering with movement of the sliding door as a result of friction from a door track disposed at the sill portion of the opening frame. The groove  122  allows the supporting member  102  to straddle the door track without significant abrasion against the door track or inhibiting movement of the sliding door. The “T” shape of the groove  122  also allows the end portion  112  of the supporting member  102  to be positioned over a screw or other locking element, such as, for example, a bolt, grommet, pin or nail, located in the head portion and/or sill portion of the opening frame, which would provide for increased support of the sliding door within the opening frame.  
         [0042]     Looking now at  FIG. 6 ( a ), there is shown a profile view (in cross section) of the supporting member of  FIG. 5  coupled to an upper portion of the free edge of a grooved door frame of a sliding door located within the head portion of the opening frame, including a supporting screw in the head portion of the opening frame. The supporting member  102  is shown in the deployed position. The protuberance  106  on the supporting member  102  is inserted in a door frame groove  130  and the end portion  112  of the supporting member  102  and is positioned in a head portion  132  of an opening frame  134  such that a sliding door  136  is more securely supported within the opening frame  134 . The supporting member  102  is coupled to a free edge  138  of a door frame  140  and held in place with two Philips head screws  142  disposed through the holes  116  and a third Philips head screw  144  disposed through the channel  118 . The sliding door  136  containing the supporting member  102  is freely movable within the opening frame  134  and the positioning of the end portion  112  of the supporting member  102  within the head portion  132  of the opening frame  134  does not impede movement of the sliding door  136 . A screw  145  is positioned within the head portion  132  of the opening frame  134  in a location such that it will be positioned within the end portion  112  of the supporting member  102  when the sliding door  136  is in a fully closed position.  
         [0043]     In  FIG. 6 ( b ) there is shown a frontal view of the supporting member of  FIG. 6 ( a ) with the head portion of the opening frame shown in a cross sectional cut away view. As was shown in  FIG. 6 ( a ), the supporting member  102  is in a deployed position. The end portion  112  of the supporting member  102  is positioned within the head portion  132  of the opening frame  134 . There is a small amount of clearance provided between the end portion  112  of the supporting member  102  and the top of the head portion  132  of the opening frame  134  to allow for free movement of the sliding door  136  within the opening frame  134 . The supporting member  102  is coupled to the free edge  138  of the door frame  140  using two Philips head screws  142  inserted through the holes  116  and a Philips head screw  144  inserted through the channel  118 . The end portion  112  of the supporting member  102  has a width substantially equal to the width of a sash  146  of the sliding door  136 , and the end portion  112  of the supporting member  102  fits within the head portion  132  of the opening frame  134  with little or no spacing therebetween. A screw  145  is positioned within the head portion  132  of the opening frame  134  in a location such that it will be positioned within the end portion  112  of the supporting member  102  when the sliding door  136  is in a fully closed position.  
         [0044]     Looking now at  FIG. 7 , there is shown a 3/4 view of a supporting bar for coupling with the locking edge of a grooved door frame of a sliding door according to an embodiment of the present invention. The supporting bar  200  may be formed of metal, wood, plastic, any combination thereof or any other rigid material. The supporting bar  200  is formed as a single elongated element extending a majority of the entire length of a locking portion of the opening frame. Alternatively, the supporting bar  200  may extend less than the majority of the entire length of the locking portion of the opening frame or it may be comprised of a plurality of supporting bars each extending only a portion of the entire length of the locking portion of the opening frame.  
         [0045]     The supporting bar  200  is formed from a piece of sheet metal shaped, widthwise, in the form of a brace “{“, with a center spine  202  extending the entire length of the supporting bar  200  and two supporting arms  204  extending the entire length of the supporting bar  200 , each disposed on an opposite side of the center spine  202  of the supporting bar  200 . The center spine  202  extends beyond the plane of the body  208  of the supporting bar  200  and it has a flat central portion  206  that runs parallel to the plane formed by the body  208  of the supporting bar  200 . The center spine  202  extends a sufficient distance from the plane formed by the body  208  of the supporting bar so as to position the center spine  202  within a door frame groove of a locking edge of a door frame. The supporting bar  200  may be of any shape provided that it has a portion that fits within the door frame groove of the locking edge of the door frame such that it prevents movement of the door frame toward the interior or exterior of the structure.  
         [0046]     Positioned on both sides of the center spine  202  of the supporting bar  200  are a series of holes  210  that run along a portion of the length of the supporting bar  200 . There may be as few as two holes and the holes may alternatively be located along the center spine  202  or in a depression formed in the center spine  202 . The holes are positioned for the insertion of fasteners, for example, screws or bolts, although any other type of fastener may be used, for securing the supporting bar  200  to the opening frame.  
         [0047]     In  FIG. 8  is shown a cross sectional view along a horizontal plane, of the supporting bar of  FIG. 7  coupled to a locking edge of the opening frame with a sliding door positioned within the opening frame adjacent to the supporting bar. The supporting bar  200  is positioned within a locking portion  220  of an opening frame  222 . Philips head screws  224  are inserted through holes  210  and through a supporting portion  226  of the opening frame  222  to secure the supporting bar  200  to the opening frame  222 . There is little to no clearance between the supporting arms  204  of the supporting bar  200  and each of the interior wall  228  and the exterior wall  230  of the opening frame  222 , respectively. In  FIG. 8 , the sliding door  232  is shown in the closed position such that the center spine  202  of the supporting bar  200  is positioned within a door frame groove  234  of the sliding door  232 . There is minimal to no clearance between the sides  236  of the center spine  202  of the supporting bar  200  and the sides  238  of the door frame groove  234  such that the supporting bar  200  provides the maximal support to the sliding door  232  and the opening frame  222 .  
         [0048]     Although not shown in the drawings, the supporting bar  200  may have integrated therein a latch or mating element of a locking mechanism for providing locking capabilities to the opening frame  222  in conjunction with the sliding door  232  which could include the corresponding locking element to that included in the supporting bar  200 .  
         [0049]     The foregoing embodiments of the present invention are illustrative only. Numerous other modifications and changes will readily occur to those persons skilled in the art after reading this disclosure. Consequently the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described, but rather is encompassed by the teachings in general and the letter and spirit of the following claims.