AU2004100823A4 - Post mounting assembly - Google Patents

Description

Our Ref: 12497771/ARS/LNM P/00/011 Regulation 3:2

AUSTRALIA

Patents Act 1990

ORIGINAL

COMPLETE SPECIFICATION INNOVATION PATENT Applicant(s): Address for Service: Invention Title: The following statement is a performing it known to me:- Elite Balustrade Systems Pty Ltd 31 Prince William Drive, Seven Hills, New South Wales 2147, Australia DAVIES COLLISON CAVE Patent Trade Mark Attorneys Level 10, 10 Barrack Street SYDNEY NSW 2000 Post mounting assembly full description of this invention, including the best method of P:\WPDOCS\LMB\LesI MillarSpfkications\l 2497771 innovation completdoe-29109/04 N' -I CKI POST MOUNTING ASSEMBLY 00 oO The present invention relates generally to post fixing and mounting devices and a Smethod for fixing and mounting posts. The invention is particularly but not exclusively concerned with the installation and mounting of balusters or posts used in balustrading systems. Although it will be convenient to hereinafter describe the invention with reference to this application, it is to be understood that this is not to be taken as a limitation of the scope of the invention.

Balustrades are well known for maintaining the safety of people using balconies, elevated escalators, and the like. The balusters or posts are generally mounted in such a way as to resist significant cantilever loads imparted from the rail, and also be unobtrusive, so that any potential view or outlook is substantially unimpeded.

The present invention seeks to provide a baluster or post mounting assembly which is both strong in cantilever and relatively unobtrusive.

According to one aspect of the present invention there is provided a post mounting assembly for a post, the post mounting assembly including: a base having an upper surface; a stanchion element secured to or integral with the base and projecting from the upper surface, the stanchion element being adapted to receive an end portion of the post when in an installed position; the base further including at least one shoulder thereon, the or each shoulder, when the post is in the installed position, having at least part of the post abutting thereagainst, the shoulder inhibiting movement of the post relative to the base and stanchion in at least a direction normal to the shoulder as a result of forces applied to the post.

P\WPDOCS\LMB\Lcst, MiIlaSpeciflcations\ 2497771 innovafion completedoc-29109104 c -2- Preferably a post mounting assembly is provided as above described wherein at Sleast the end portion of the post is hollow and the stanchion includes retaining means for retaining the post in position thereon, the retaining means providing for an interference fit e¢3 between the stanchion and the post. An advantage of the interference fit is that there are 00 O 5 no fasteners required, and movement between the stanchion and post assembly is inhibited by the nature of the joint therebetween.

SPreferably a post mounting assembly is provided as described above wherein the upper surface of the base includes a recess which has two edges, each of which define a respective shoulder, the stanchion being mounted in the recess and extending generally vertically therefrom, so that the end portion of the post is mounted on the stanchion with wall portions of the post being engaged by respective opposed faces of the stanchion and shoulder.

Preferably a post mounting assembly as described above is provided wherein the post mounting assembly includes an anchoring device for anchoring the post mounting assembly to a support structure, the anchoring device including a bolt, which in an assembled position extends from the support structure and through the base and stanchion element of the post mounting assembly, the bolt including a threaded portion, the anchoring device further including a fastener which includes a fastener section which is adapted to cooperate with the threaded portion of the bolt for connection thereto, and a drive coupling potion which is adapted to cooperate with a driving tool, the drive coupling portion being operatively engageable by the driving tool so that rotation thereof causes rotation of the fastener so that the fastener section can be connected to the threaded portion of the bolt, the anchoring device further including cooperating locating surfaces on the fastener and stanchion so that when assembled, the fastener is seated in the upper portion of the stanchion.

An advantage of the anchoring device is that lateral movement between the bolt, post and the stanchion is inhibited by the seated connection. This is because the seat provides a portion of the fastener between the bolt and the stanchion, in one embodiment P:\WPDOCS\LMB\Lstea MillorSpifications\l 2497771 innovation compldt.doc-290904 -3the inner walls of the stanchion, and the mounting bolt under lateral force abuts the fastener which in turn abuts the stanchion. The bolt is thus inhibited from movement at an upper region where its strength is least, from moving towards the stanchion's top.

00 Preferably a post mounting assembly is provided as described above, wherein the stanchion is any suitable cross-section so as to engage a range of post cross-sections such Sas for example oval, square, elliptical, or rectangular by interference fit and supplementary fasteners. In a preferred embodiment the stanchion forms substantially a rectangle having major and minor sides when viewed in plan, and when assembled, the minor sides of the rectangle are disposed adjacent respective shoulders. This provides a greater area of material further from a neutral axis.

In use the mounting device is adapted to be anchored to a structure, and the post is adapted to have a rail or other barrier operatively fitted thereto.

In one form, the post may include an elongated body having a tubular section at one end thereof which in the installed position is fitted over the stanchion. Preferably the post is an elongated hollow tube. In one form, the recess sides are sharp, vertical faces. In one preferred form, two shoulders are provided, such that the recess has at least two edges for increased resistance to force normal thereto.

Preferably, a base region of the stanchion is disposed wholly within the recess.

This preferred arrangement allows a wall of the post to be mounted to the mounting device snugly against the stanchion and shoulder or shoulders.

Preferably, the or each shoulder traverses the entire distance between sides of the base, for the increased resistance of forces normal to the shoulder.

In one form, fasteners and attendant holes through the base and post are provided in order to more positively connect those components together.

P\WPDOCS\LMB\Lcste MillWSpc fications\I2497771 innovatiom cowmpete.dm.29109f04 c -4- Preferably, the interference fit may be in the form of splines or fins, which slightly NI gouge and deform the inside walls of the post, as the post is installed, with base portions of its laterally extending walls snugly fitting between adjacent lateral faces of the stanchion Ci and the shoulders.

00 Preferably, the locating portion is in the form of a bevelled leading portion of the O fastener and seated in a countersink in an upper region of the stanchion.

In accordance with another aspect of the present invention there is provided an anchor assembly, suitable for use with a post mounting assembly as described above, the anchor assembly including an anchoring bolt, fixed or connected to a support structure, and a fastener, the fastener including a connecting portion for operative connection to the bolt, a drive portion, and a locating edge, the arrangement being such that the locating edge may locate and engage with the post mounting assembly, anchoring the post mounting assembly against the support structure.

Preferably, the operative connection portion is a threaded portion, for threadable engagement with the anchoring bolt.

Preferably, the drive portion is engagable with a drive tool. In one preferred form, the drive portion is a hexagonal female drive aperture. The drive tool may be any suitable form, however in a preferred form it mates with the hexagonal female fastener drive portion by having a male hexagonal head allen type drive. In a preferred form, the tool has an extension to enable driving of the fastener in long narrow spaces such as found in the hollow centre of the post.

In a preferred embodiment, the fastener has a hollow cylindrical body.

In accordance with yet another aspect of the present invention there is provided a method of mounting a post mounting assembly, the method including the steps of: connecting a post to a mounting device, the mounting device including a stanchion and a P:\WPDOCS\LMB\Lesta Mi11a\Spifications\I 2497771 innovation compIe.doc-2909/04 c base, the base having an upper surface and a shoulder thereon; anchoring the mounting N device to a support structure with a fastener and a corresponding bolt, the fastener having a drive portion, an engagement portion for engagement with the bolt and the locating portion C for locating with a receiving portion on the stanchion.

00 Preferred embodiments of the invention will be hereinafter be described with Sreference to the attached drawings, and in those drawings; Figure 1 is an isometric view of a post mounting assembly for a post in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention with a front portion of the post cut away for clarity; Figure 2 is an isometric view of a mounting device for use with the post mounting assembly of Figure 1; Figure 3 is a plan view of the mounting device of Figure 2; Figure 4 is a cross section view of the post of Figure 1; Figure 5 is a longitudinal section view of a fastener for use in preferred embodiments of the present invention.

Referring to the drawings there is shown a post mounting assembly for a post generally indicated at 10, the post mounting assembly including a mounting device 12 according to a preferred embodiment of one aspect of the present invention, a post 14 operatively connected to the mounting device 12, an anchor bolt 16 and a fastener 18.

The mounting device 12 includes a base 20 having an upper surface 22 and two shoulders 24 and 26 formed thereon, the shoulders 24 and 26 spaced apart in a longitudinal direction and downwardly directed forming a recess 28 therebetween. The shoulders 24 and 26 include generally vertical walls 30 and 32 which traverse in a lateral direction for P:\WPDOCSTMB\Lestfr MiIlo\Spmiications\I 2497771 innovation cotnplie.do-2909/04 c -6the resistance of forces normal thereto (ie. longitudinal forces). This inhibits relative Ci movement between the post 14 and mounting device 12 at least in the direction normal to the wall 30, 32.

¢c- 00 A stanchion 34 is provided on the mounting device 12 which is in the form of a column 36 extending generally perpendicularly to the upper surface 22. The base 38 of the O stanchion 34 is integral with the upper surface 22 and the mounting position of the Ci stanchion is wholly within the recess 28. The stanchion 34 is also provided with retaining means 38 in the form of splines or fins 40 disposed on its outer faces. The fins 40 traverse the faces generally along the length of the columnar face so that they may gouge or deform inner walls of a post 42 while being fitted.

The mounting device 12 also is provided with retaining means 44 in the form of through holes 45 and fasteners 46 for retaining a post 42 in a fitted position. These fasteners 46 are in the form of screws which mate with receiving portions 47 on the post 42 by cutting their own threads into the walls of receiving portions 47 or engaging with precut threads.

The post 42 fits onto the mounting device 12 and connects to horizontal rails which may be provided (not shown). The post 42 is in the form of a hollow section tube 43 which includes receiving portions 47 which may be threaded for receiving fasteners 46.

The post has longitudinally opposed walls 68 and 70 and laterally opposed walls 72 and 74, forming a generally rectangular tube.

A support structure 50 is provided which is in the form of a concrete base 52. The anchor bolt 16 extends generally vertically from the support structure 50 for anchoring the mounting device 12.

An aperture 56 is provided in the stanchion 34 to allow the anchor bolt 16 to pass through the stanchion 34 and mounting device 12 when assembling the mounting device P:\WPDOCS\LMB\Lcste Milla\SpaificationI 2497771 innovation carpledoc290904 c -7- 12 to the post mounting assembly 10. At the upper extremity of the aperture 56 when NI assembled is a receiving portion 58 in the form of a countersunk recess ¢€3 Ci The fastener 18 is provided so that, in conjunction with the anchor bolt 54, the 00 O 5 mounting device 12 may be anchored to the support structure 50. The fastener 18 has a drive portion 78 in a form suitable to be driven by a tool 79, the drive portion in the form O of a female hex head allen-type connecting portion 80, and an engagement portion 82 in Ci the form of female threads 84, to threadably engage with the anchor bolt 16. The fastener 18 also includes a location portion 86 which is in the form of a bevelled nose 88, so that the fastener 18 will locate and engage the countersunk recess 60 of the stanchion 34.

During assembly the post 42 is forced over the stanchion 34 of the mounting device 12, the inner walls of the post 42 providing an interference fit with the outer walls of the stanchion, on which are mounted the splines or fins 40. The splines or fins 40 dig and gouge their way into the walls of the post 42, ensuring positive frictional engagement.

Further attachment means are in the form of screws 46 engaging holes 47.

The longitudinally opposed walls 68 and 70, when the post 42 is fitted, abut the vertical walls 30 and 32 of the shoulders 24 and 26. This is so that when a force having a component perpendicular to the shoulder 24 or 26 is applied to the post, relative movement between the post 42 and the mounting device 12 is inhibited, at least in that direction, by forcing the post 42 against the shoulder 24 or 26.

To finalise assembly of the post mounting assembly 10, the post 42 and mounting device 12 are located on this support structure 50 by the anchor bolt 16 passing through the aperture 56. The fastener 18 is driven by an allen head tool 79 until the locating portion 86 mates with the countersunk recess 60, on the stanchion 34 of the mounting device 12. The drive may need to be secured to or form part of an extension, as the post 42 may be approximately one metre long. The post mounting assembly 10 is now locked in place on the support structure 50, to resist longitudinal forces and to be slimline in appearance.

P:\WPDOCS\LMB\Lesta Milla\Specifications\I2497771 inmovation wanplet.doc-29/09/04 cN -8- SHaving the anchoring bolt and fastener inside the post 42, as well as fasteners 46 c inside the post 42 assists in maintaining strength and an uncluttered, slimline appearance.

Finally, it is to be understood that various modifications and/or additions may be

OO

S 5 incorporated into the various constructions and arrangements of parts without departing from the spirit or ambit of the invention.

0',

Claims (4)

1. A post mounting assembly for a post, the post mounting assembly including: a base 00 5 having an upper surface; a stanchion element secured to or integral with the base and 2 projecting from the upper surface, the stanchion element being adapted to receive an end portion of the post when in an installed position; the base further including at least C one shoulder thereon, the or each shoulder, when the post is in the installed position, having at least part of the post abutting thereagainst, the shoulder inhibiting movement of the post relative to the base and stanchion in at least a direction normal to the shoulder as a result of forces applied to the post.

2. A post mounting assembly in accordance with claim 1 wherein at least the end portion of the post is hollow and the stanchion includes retaining means for retaining the post in position thereon, the retaining means providing for an interference fit between the stanchion and the post.

3. A post mounting assembly in accordance with claim 1 or 2 wherein the upper surface of the base includes a recess which has two edges, each of which define a respective shoulder, the stanchion being mounted in the recess and extending generally vertically therefrom, so that the end portion of the post is mounted on the stanchion with wall portions of the post being engaged by respective opposed faces of the stanchion and shoulder.

4. A post mounting assembly in accordance with any previous claim, wherein the post mounting assembly includes an anchoring device for anchoring the post mounting assembly to a support structure, the anchoring device including a bolt, which in an assembled position extends from the support structure and through the base and stanchion element of the post mounting assembly, the bolt including a threaded portion, the anchoring device further including a fastener which includes a fastener section which is adapted to cooperate with the threaded portion of the bolt for P:\WPDOCS\LMB\Lstff Millu\Spoifications\I 2497771 innovation complec.doc-29,09/04 c connection thereto, and a drive coupling potion which is adapted to cooperate with a c driving tool, the drive coupling portion being operatively engageable by the driving tool so that rotation thereof causes rotation of the fastener so that the fastener section C can be connected to the threaded portion of the bolt, the anchoring device further 00 including cooperating locating surfaces on the fastener and stanchion so that when assembled, the fastener is seated in the upper portion of the stanchion. A post mounting assembly in accordance with any previous claim wherein the stanchion is a suitable cross-section so as to engage a range of post cross-sections such as for example oval, square, elliptical, or rectangular by interference fit and supplementary fasteners. DATED this 2 3 rd day of September, 2004 ELITE BALUSTRADE SYSTEMS PTY LTD By its Patent Attorneys DAVIES COLLISON CAVE