AU2004201765A1 - Base to support upright sheet - Google Patents

Description

-1-

AUSTRALIA

Patents Act 1990 COMPLETE SPECIFICATION FOR A STANDARD PATENT

ORIGINAL

P/00/0011 Regulation 3.2 Name of Applicant: Glass Relate Hardware Limited Actual Inventors: BERNHARD PIETER VAN NOOIJEN Address for service in Australia: Newnham Co Level 1,425-429 Pacific Highway, Crows Nest PO Box 1325, Crows Nest New South Wales 2065, Australia Ph: 0064-27-231 6702 Fax: 0064-9-413 8175 Invention Title: BASE TO SUPPORT UPRIGHT SHEET The following statement is a full description of this invention, including the best method of performing it known to us: pauapp NI 577au 2 This invention relates to a base to support an upright rigid sheet or panel and in particular to a base for supporting glass sheets in forming a balustrade or similar barrier.

Balustrades and other similar barriers formed from sheet glass are well known. Traditionally they involve a post and rail structure supporting the glass sheets. In some cases posts only are used to thus avoid a balustrade rail obstructing a view. Also, it is known to provide only an elongate base adapted for fixing to a substrate and incorporating a channel in which the lower edge section of glass panels are fixed with grouting. This approach can avoid both rails and posts however considerable skill is required with such an installation. For example, it is necessary to use a non shrinkable grout to provide a firm hold on the glass and achieving this consistently can prove difficult. Also the grout needs to be protected from the weather in particular rain necessating a capping or sealing thereover. Even then with the passage of time the grout tends to leach out which can lead to unwanted discolouration on adjacent elements.

Further with age the grout can tend to degrade and consequential loss to the integrity of the installation. An intention of this invention is to provide a base support to support a sheet uprightly as aforesaid which at least partly overcomes these drawbacks or at least provide the public with a useful choice.

According to a first aspect of this invention there is provided a base to support a rigid sheet uprightly broadly comprising a pair of elongate members adapted to be spaced adjacently apart to receive, substantial in abutment therewith, an edge section of a rigid sheet therebetween, the box sections both being adapted for fixing to a substrate in a manner that also tilts them toward one another as to impinge onto and grip the sheet element.

NI577au 3 According to a second aspect of this invention there is provided a base as described in the preceding paragraph wherein the box sections are joined together adjacent lower sides thereof to define the spacing therebetween as a top open gap.

According to a third aspect of this invention there is provided a base as described in the preceding paragraph wherein a downward projection is provided along the outer lower edge of each elongate element whereby downward fixing pressure to the elongate elements will tilt them inwardly about the projections to provide the required impinging influence.

According to a fourth aspect of this invention there is provided a base as described in any one of the three immediately preceding paragraphs wherein the elongate elements are adapted to receive, at longitudinally spaced apart intervals, fixing means substantially uprightly through at least a lower section thereof to mount the base to a substrate.

According to a fifth aspect of this invention there is provided a base as described in any one of the three immediately preceding paragraphs wherein the base is formed by a metal extrusion.

According to a sixth aspect of this invention there is provided a base as described in the preceding paragraph wherein a frangible element is provided to bridge the open top of the gap to prevent the gap collapsing during manufacture, removal of the frangible element being required to form the gap.

In further describing the invention reference is made to the accompanying drawings wherein; Fig I is a cross-sectional view of the base, and Figs 2 and 3 are cross-sectional views of the base as typically used.

N1577au 4 In a preferred embodiment a base I suitable for supporting a series of glass sheets 2 uprightly on edge to form a balustrade is described. A pair of elongate box sections 3, 4 are preferably fabricated as part of a unitary metal, preferably aluminium, extrusion. The box sections 3, 4 are adjacently spaced apart to have a gap 5 therebetween of a width commensurate to the thickness of a sheet 2 to be mounted by the base 1. To that end the lower sides of the box sections 3, 4 are joined by an integral web element 6 and their upper sides by a frangible web element 7, the web elements 6, 7 bridging the gap 5. The frangible web element 7 maintains the integrity of the extrusion during manufacture and, in use, is removed to enable, as depicted in Figs. 2 and 3, an edge section of a sheet 2 to be inserted into the gap A downward projection in the nature of a rib 8 is provided along each outer edge of each box section 3, 4. Preferably a detent projection 9 is also provided on the lower side of the extrusion 6 beneath the gap 5. Preferably the detent projection 9 is in the form of an enlargement of the integral web 6 material and stands marginally less proud of the lower sides of the elongate elements 3, 4 than do the rib projections 8. The purpose of the projections 8 and the detent 9 is described below.

The box sections 3, 4 are adapted to receive fixing elements, at longitudinally spaced apart intervals, such as anchor bolts/nuts 10/13 or screws (not depicted) through at least their lower sides to fasten the base I to a substrate I 1. Preferably apertures 12 are provided through the upper and lower sides of the elongate elements 3, 4 at intervals to align with in situ upright anchor bolts I1. The apertures 12a in the upper sides are oversized to provide access for fixing tools to the nuts 13. Typically the substrate I comprises a deck or terrace, to which the base 1 is fastened to support the glass sheets 2 as a balustrade.

NI577au Particularly where the base I is for supporting glass sheet 2, gap 5 is adapted to receive gaskets 14 therein between the sides of the gap 5 and the sheet 2. To that end grooves 15 may be provided in the walls of the gap 5 in which enlarged edges 14a of elongate gaskets 14 can be mounted. Secondary gaskets or seals 16 may also be provided at the upper junction of a sheet 2 with the base 1. Preferably the outer and upper faces of the base I are provided with longitudinal grooves 17 to enable separate covers 18 such as matching metal extrusions to be clip fitted thereon, ribs 17a engaging in grooves 17, to provide an aesthetic finish and in particular hide the fixing apertures 12a and the bolts 11.

In use lengths of the base I can be "tacked" in situ by part insertion/tightening of the bolts/nuts 10/13. Preferably at this stage the frangible web element 7 is removed to open the top of the gap 5. Gaskets 14 are mounted therein as may be a packer cushion 18 prior to insertion of a lower edge section of a glass sheet 2 into the gap 5. The fastening bolts/nuts 10/13 can then be tightened to secure the base 1 to the substrate 11. In so doing the box sections 3, 4 will be tilted inwardly about the outer rib 8 projections to impinge onto and grip the sheet 2 through the gaskets 14. The extent of tilting may be limited by the central detent projection 9 which will eventually "bottom" on the substrate 11. Covers 18 can then be clip fitted to the base I and the gasket seals 16 then inserted as depicted in Fig. 3.

Claims (9)

1. A base to support a rigid sheet uprightly comprising a pair of elongate members adapted to be spaced adjacently apart to receive, substantial in abutment therewith, an edge section of a rigid sheet therebetween, the box sections both being adapted for fixing to a substrate in a manner that also tilts them toward one another as to impinge onto and grip the sheet element.

2. A base as claimed in claim I wherein the elongate elements are joined together adjacent lower sides thereof to define the spacing therebetween as a top open gap.

3. A base as claimed in either claim I or claim 2 wherein a downward projection is provided along the outer lower edge of each elongate element whereby downward fixing pressure to the elongate elements will tilt them inwardly about the projections to provide the required impinging influence.

4. A base as claimed in any one of claims 1-3 inclusive wherein the elongate elements are extruded metallic box sections.

5. A base as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein the elongate elements are adapted to receive, at longitudinally spaced apart intervals, fixing means substantially uprightly through at least a lower section thereof to mount the base to a substrate.

6. A base as claimed in any one of the claims 3-5 inclusive wherein a third downwardly directed detent projection is provided, the third projection being positioned centrally beneath the gap and standing less proud of the lower edge of the elongate elements than the two NI577au 7 downwardly directed projections provided on the outer edges of the elongate elements, the detent projection limiting the extent of inward tilting of the elongate elements.

7. A base as claimed in any one of the claims 2-6 inclusive wherein a frangible element is provided to bridge the open top of the gap to prevent the gap collapsing during manufacture, removal of the frangible element being required to form the gap.

8. A base as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein each elongate element is adapted to retain a gasket between the elongate element and a sheet mounted thereby and to receive a cap over the upper and outer edges thereof.

9. A base substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings. GLASS l E HARDWARE LIMITED By their A orneys NEWNHAM CO