AU2004100010B4 - Balustrade assembly - Google Patents

Description

BALUSTRADE ASSEMBLY FIELD OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to the design, manufacture and assembly of balustrades, and more particularly to the connection of vertical post members to horizontal frame members in a balustrade structure. However, whilst the invention will be described hereinafter with reference to balustrades, it should be noted that the invention is not necessarily limited to this particular field of use.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Any discussion of the prior art throughout the specification should in no way be considered as an admission that such prior art is widely known or forms part of the common general knowledge in the field.

A balustrade structure typically comprises a series of vertical post members interconnected by horizontal frame members. The members are connected to each other by welding and the connection points of the members are exposed such that the rough surfaces, resulting from the welding, adversely affect the overall visual appearance of the assembled balustrade. Thus care needs to be taken to improve the finish of the connection points in order to improve the visual appeal of the balustrade. This problem is further exacerbated if the balustrade structure is to be exposed to the elements as the connections typically need to be protected from corrosion by either applying a protective coating to the surfaces or by using some other form of covering. The need for such postassembly finishing increases the complexity, time, and overall cost of the assembled balustrade.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to overcome or substantially ameliorate one or more of the disadvantages of the prior art, or at least to provide a useful alternative.

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION According to one aspect of the invention there is provided a balustrade assembly including a first frame member and a second frame member, said first frame member including a channel with one or more webs located within said channel; -2said second frame member including a wall with an aperture for receiving one end of said first frame member; wherein said end of said first frame member extends into said aperture in said wall of the second frame member; said end of first frame member being secured to said second frame member by joining said one or more webs to said wall of said second frame member.

Preferably, the end of the first member is secured to the second member by welding.

Preferably, said first and second members are made of aluminium.

Preferably, said first and second members are formed by extrusion.

Preferably, the aperture is formed in the wall of the second frame member by punching.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS A preferred embodiment of the invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Fig. 1 is a side elevation of a balustrade assembly comprising a plurality of vertical post members connected to a plurality of horizontal rail members; Fig. 2 is a perspective view of the area circled and marked in Fig. 1 illustrating the connection of a rail member to a post member of a balustrade assembly in accordance with the present invention; Fig. 3 is a perspective view of a post member for a balustrade assembly according to the present invention; and Fig. 4 is a schematic perspective view of a further embodiment of a balustrade assembly according to the present invention.

PREFERRED EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION Fig. 1 illustrates a section of a balustrade assembly comprising a plurality of horizontal rail members 1 connected to a plurality of vertical post members 2. The horizontal and vertical members are preferably made of aluminium and are preferably formed by extrusion. However, it is to be noted that other materials, such as plastics, and other forming techniques, such as moulding, may also be used to form the balustrade members.

Referring to Fig. 2, the horizontal rail member 1 has a constant generally Cshaped cross section which defines an open channel 3. Located within the channel are one or more longitudinally extending webs 4 which act both to enhance the structural rigidity of the rail and provide connection surfaces for joining the rail member to the post member. Located on opposing inner faces of side walls of the rail are longitudinally extending lips Referring to Fig. 3, the vertical post member 2 has a hollow cross-section 6 terminating with open ends 7. In a preferred embodiment the post member 2 has a generally square or rectangular cross section defined by pairs of opposing walls, although many alternative cross sections, such as circular or oval, are possible. The second member 2 is provided with an aperture 8 in a side wall 9 for receiving the rail member 1. Preferably the aperture 8 in the side wall of the post member is sized and shaped to receive the first member. More preferably, the aperture is shaped to replicate the cross-sectional profile of the rail and sized such that the rail fits neatly within the aperture. Preferably the walls of the second member are relatively thin, which allows the aperture to be formed in the wall by means of punching. However, alternative methods, such as cutting or drilling, may also be used.

The preferred method of manufacturing the post member 2 includes the steps of extruding a continuous length of hollow post and punching apertures for receiving one or more rail members in one or more sidewalls at predetermined locations. The post is cut into individual lengths to suit the particular application, either before or after the punching step.

Referring to Fig. 2, a cover plate 10, preferably formed from extruded aluminium, is adapted to engage with the rail to cover the open side of the channel 3.

The cover plate 10 is provided with a pair of tongues 11 which engage with the lips 5 on the opposing internal faces of the rail such that the cover plate engages with a snap fit to cover the channel.

The method of assembly includes the steps of inserting one end of the rail member 1 into the receiving aperture 8 in the side wall of the post member 2 such that the end of the rail member extends into or through the post member. The rail is then connected to the post by welding at the junction 12 where the rail meets the post. The weld may be made either on the interior or exterior of the post member 2, although it is preferable for the weld to be made on the outside of the post at the point where the rail passes into the post. The rail is preferably connected to the post by welding the webs 4 of the rail to the exterior face of the side wall of the post at the point where the rail passes into the post.

Although welding is the preferred method of connection, it will be appreciated that other methods such as gluing, interference fit, or other forms of mechanical engagement such as clips or screws, may be used to secure the rail member 1 to the post member 2.

Once the rail is secured at each end to a post a cover plate 10 of the appropriate length is placed over the mouth of the channel 3 and pressed into position, the cover plate being retained by the engagement of the tongues 11 with the lips 5. The cover plate acts to close the channel 3 and cover the connection points between the rail and the post.

It should also be noted that rather than terminating at the post as shown in Fig. 1, the rail may pass through the post as illustrated in Fig. 4. In this case aligned apertures are formed in a pair of opposing walls of the post so as to permit the rail to pass through the post. The rail is preferably connected to the post by welding the webs of the rail to the side walls of the post at the point where the rail passes into the post.

It will be appreciated that the assembly and method, whilst simple and reliable, allows the balustrade to be assembled without exposing the engagement points between the structural members. This minimises the need for any post-assembly finishing processes and thus reduces the time, complexity and cost of the balustrade assembly process.

Although the invention has been described with reference to specific examples, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the invention can be embodied in many other forms.

Claims (4)

1. A balustrade assembly including a first frame member and a second frame member, said first frame member including a channel with one or more webs located within said channel; said second frame member including a wall with an aperture for receiving one end of said first frame member; wherein said end of said first frame member extends into said aperture in said wall of the second frame member; said end of first frame member being secured to said second frame member by joining said one or more webs to said wall of said second frame member.

2. The balustrade assembly according to claim 1 wherein said end of said first frame member is secured to said second frame member by welding.

3. The balustrade assembly according to claim 1 or 2 wherein said first and second frame members are formed by extrusion.

4. The balustrade assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 3 wherein said aperture is formed in said wall of said second frame member by punching. A balustrade assembly substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings. DATED this 3rd Day of June, 2004 BALDWIN SHELSTON WATERS Attorneys for: ROGER CAUSERO AND FRANCESCO BOMBARA