AU2005201696A1 - Railing and Balustrading System - Google Patents

Description

I

ORIGINAL

Australia Patents Act 1990 Complete Specification for the Invention Entitled RAILING AND BALUSTRADING SYSTEM The invention is described in the following statement: RAILING AND BALUSTRADING SYSTEM This invention relates to construction systems for the provision of railings, fencing, balustrading or the like. In particular the invention relates to construction systems in which railings, fencing, balustrading or the like are pre-fabricated and installed on-site without the necessity for welding, grinding, polishing and the like.

In the provision of railings, fencing, balustrading or the like, it is common for more or less horizontal railing members to be welded to stanchion members on-site, with the welded parts subsequently being ground smooth and polished. Welded assembly is the most common construction method where components are made from stainless steel, as is the case in many architectural applications. Hand welding of stainless steel is a skilled process which adds to the installed cost of railings or balustradings and frequently results in unsightly local heat distortion of welded components. Lower cost construction systems in which structural components are simply bolted or clamped together, often using proprietary nodal units, are well known in the art, but these are frequently aesthetically unattractive. As a result, they are unsuited for many architectural applications. Where railing and balustrading construction systems incorporate aesthetically attractive joining means, these usually involve the employment of specially manufactured, expensive components. An example is that taught by US 4,767,232, in which interfitting or mating, generally cylindrical joint members are employed to join stanchion and rail members. The joint members are complex in shape, clearly expensive to manufacture, are somewhat limited in the structural arrangements which they permit and, from an aesthetic standpoint, appear somewhat mechanical. A further example which offers a more aesthetically pleasing arrangement is that taught by US 6,568,658. In this arrangement, specially manufactured, shanked fittings are permanently fixed to stanchions with suitable fastenings and the ends of rail members are slipped over the shanks of the fittings. The internal and extemrnal diameters, respectively, of the rail members and shanks are such as to provide a neat sliding fit and the ends of the rail members are retained in place on the shanks by the wedging action of Orings accommodated in suitably shaped, tapered grooves in the shanks. While this arrangement provides some ease of assembly, in some applications, long-term hardening and deterioration of the O-rings as a result of temperature extremes may be expected with a possible loss of structural integrity. Additionally, where they are required, intermediate vertical rails between upper and lower horizontal rails are still required to be welded into place. The arrangement thus does not properly fill the need for a relatively low cost, easily assembled, permanent structure.

The object of the present invention is to provide a system of constructing railings, fencing, balustrading or the like which employs simple, low-cost, mass-producible nodal components to join railing members to stanchion members, which is aesthetically pleasing, which may be readily assembled on-site without welding or the use of special tools, which is readily adaptable to a wide variety of arrangements and which has a high and permanent structural integrity.

According to the present invention, in railings, fencing, balustrading or the like, more or less vertically arranged stanchion members are fixed to a supporting surface with fittings provided for the purpose or are cast into the supporting surface. Toroido-cylindrical nodal rings having a cylindrical bore passing through them are positioned on the stanchion members and one or more suitably positioned, extended grub screws are employed to lock each to the stanchion members. The grub screws extend beyond the external surfaces of the nodal rings and socket fittings supporting the ends of rail members are screwed onto them.

Buffering means are provided to prevent the nodal rings and socket fittings from marring the polished surfaces of structural members. Cap fittings are provided to aesthetically close the upper ends of stanchion members. Alternative means are provided to lock nodal rings to stanchion members in situations in which the extended grub screws cannot be used.

Provision is made for panel members to be supported between adjacent stanchion members.

The various aspects of the present invention will be more readily understood by reference to the following description of preferred embodiments given in relation to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 is a view of a nodal assembly fixed at an intermediate position on a stanchion member; Figure 2 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of a nodal assembly and cap fitting fixed at the top of a stanchion member; Figure 3 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of alternative means of fixing a nodal ring to a stanchion member; Figure 4 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the nodal ring depicted at Figure 3 fixed to a stanchion member using alternative means; Figure 5 is a transverse cross-sectional view of the arrangement depicted at Figure 4; Figure 6 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of further alternative means of fixing a nodal ring to a stanchion member; Figure 7 is a side view of panel members supported between adjacent stanchion members; Figure 8 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of further alternative means of fixing stanchion members to a supporting surface; Figure 9 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of means of fixing stanchion members to a supporting surface; Figure 10 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of alternative means of fixing stanchion members to a supporting surface; Figure 11 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of alternative means of fixing socket fittings to nodal rings; Figure 12 is a side view of the fastener forming part of the means depicted at Figure 11; Figure 13 is a partial side view of an alternative arrangement of rail and stanchion members.

With reference to Figure 1, in railings, fencing, balustrading and the like, a more or less vertically arranged stanchion member 1 has a positioned on it a toroido-cylindrical nodal ring 2. The shape of said nodal ring is more or less that of a toroid from which material has been removed internally to create a cylindrical bore 3 passing through the full thickness of said toroid and collinear with its axis, the diameter of said bore being such as to provide an easy sliding fit on said stanchion member. One or more suitably positioned, radially-arranged, extended grub screws 4 are screwed into threaded bores 8 provided in said nodal rings and, when tightened with a suitable tool engaging shaped recess 9, act to lock said nodal ring securely to said stanchion member. O-rings (not shown) of a suitable material are accommodated in grooves 5 provided in bore 3 and act to provide a resilient bearing surface between the surface of bore 3 and the external surface of stanchion member 1, thereby preventing said nodal ring from marring the polished external surface of said stanchion member. A threaded extension of said grub screws extends beyond the external surface of said nodal ring and threaded bores 10 of socket fittings 6 are screwed onto said threaded extensions and tightened using a non-marring, strap-type wrench of leather or textile material. Said threaded bores are made collinear with the longitudinal axes of said socket fittings. The ends of rail members 7 are accommodated within bores 11 of said socket fittings and O-rings (not shown) of a suitable material are accommodated in grooves 12 provided in bores 11 and act to provide a resilient bearing surface between the surface of said bores and the external surfaces of said rail members, thereby preventing said nodal ring from marring the polished external surface of said rail members. In the preferred embodiment, the end surface of said socket fitting abutting said nodal ring is made flat and a complementary flat surface is provided on the external surface of said nodal ring. In an alternative embodiment (depicted as 29 in Figure 8) the end surface of said socket fitting is provided with a shape complementary to that of the external surface of said nodal ring.

For the purpose of general description, the term, primary member, may be taken to mean a member of larger diameter to which a member of smaller diameter, a secondary member, is fixed. In the preceding explanation, said stanchion members are primary members and said rail members are secondary members. In more complex arrangements, said rail members may, in turn, become primary members and have fixed to them tertiary members of smaller diameter.

In the preferred embodiment, suitable solid or substantially solid, close-fitting plugs (not shown) are provided in the bores of said primary members to support said primary members against collapsing forces applied by said grub screws.

With additional reference to Figure 2, a nodal arrangement similar to that depicted in Figure 1 is provided at the top of stanchion member 1. Cap fitting 13 is provided to close the upper end of said stanchion member, cylindrical shank 14 of said cap fitting forming a neat sliding fit with bore 3 of nodal ring 2 and said cap fitting being secured in place on said nodal ring by one or more grub screws 16 being screwed into threaded bores 15 provided in said shank and tightened to engage upper O-ring groove 5. Obviously, said cap fitting is fixed to said nodal ring prior to its positioning on said stanchion member. While said nodal ring must retain the said toroido-cylindrical shape, said socket fitting and said cap fitting may be shaped in any desired way to meet the aesthetic requirements of a railing or balustrading installation. In an alternative embodiment, a suitable adhesive compound, such as two-part epoxy adhesive, is employed to permanently bond said nodal rings and said socket fittings, respectively to said stanchion members and said horizontal rail members.

Obviously, in an alternative embodiment (not shown), said cylindrical shank of said cap fitting may be made solid or substantially solid and sufficiently long to extend into said bore of said stanchion member beneath a said nodal ring positioned at the top of said stanchion member and, by making a close fit with the inner surface of said stanchion member, to support said stanchion member against collapsing forces applied by said grub screws.

With reference to Figures 3, 4 and 5, alternative means are provided to lock nodal rings 2 to stanchion members 1 in situations in which said extended grub screws cannot be used. In a first means, opposed apertures 17 are provided in said stanchion member and a circumferential groove 18 is provided in bore 3 of said nodal ring. Locking bar 20 is elastically distorted to allow it to enter bore 19 of said stanchion member and is positioned using a suitable extended tool such that its ends 21 extend elastically through apertures 17 and into groove 18. In the preferred embodiment, said locking bar is made from an elastic metal, such as spring steel, and is provided along part of its length with convolutions which facilitate its elastic deformation. The corners of said ends of said locking bar are preferably formed into points which engage the surface of groove 18, thereby acting to prevent rotation of said nodal ring on said stanchion member. Removal of said locking bar using a suitable extended tool permits said nodal ring to be removed from said stanchion member.

With reference to Figure 6, further alternative means are provided to lock nodal rings 2 to stanchion members 1 in situations in which said extended grub screws cannot be used. In this arrangement, one or more small grub screws 22 are screwed into threaded bores 23 provided in and passing more or less radially through said nodal ring which, when tightened, engage said stanchion member and lock said nodal ring to it. In the preferred embodiment, said threaded bores angle upwardly from the lower surface of said nodal ring, in which position they are minimally conspicuous. In alternative embodiments, said threaded bores are positioned anywhere on said nodal rings.

With reference to Figure 7, provision is made for panel members 24 to be supported between adjacent stanchion members 1. Stanchion members 1 are fixed to supporting surface 27 with fixing means including dress piece 28 and assembled to rail members 25 in the manner previously described. Additional said nodal rings are fixed to said stanchion members in intermediate positions and panel supporting members 26 are fixed to said additional nodal rings using suitable flush fastenings. In the preferred embodiment, said panel supporting members take the form of a more or less square channel made from a suitable material and are lined with a suitable resilient material to positively grip the edges of said panel members. Said panel supporting members are closed at their lower ends to retain said panel members within them. In an alternative embodiment, said panel supporting members are fixed directly to said stanchion members. Said panel members may be made from any suitable material.

With reference to Figure 8, means are provided to fix a said stanchion member to a supporting surface. In this arrangement, stanchion member I is fixed to mounting flange 63 by one or more grub screws screwed into threaded bores 66 provided in said mounting flange. In the preferred embodiment, O-rings (not shown) are accommodated in suitable grooves 65, 70 provided in bore 64 of said mounting flange to prevent said mounting flange from marring the polished external surface of said stanchion member. Said mounting flange is, in turn, fixed to a fixing surface by suitable fastenings (not shown) passing through attachment holes 67 provided in said mounting flange. In an alternative embodiment (not shown), said mounting flange is provided with a deep chamfer or other circumferential recess at point 68 and the end of said stanchion member is fixed to said stanchion member by welding into said chamfer or circumferential recess such that the welding bead does not obtrude from and prevent the seating of said mounting flange on said fixing surface.

With reference to Figure 9, alternative means are provided to fix said stanchion members to a supporting surface. In the simplest embodiment, said stanchion members are simply cast into said supporting surface, supported in correct alignment by suitable means until the concrete or other material from which said supporting surface is made has properly set. In the preferred embodiment, an anchor tube 35 is cast into said supporting surface, supported in correct alignment by suitable means until the concrete or other material from which said supporting surface is made has properly set. In the preferred embodiment, flange is provided on the lower end of said anchor tube to better secure said anchor tube in said supporting surface. The lower end 34 of said stanchion tube is inserted into said anchor tube for a suitable distance, the diameters of their complementary surfaces being such as to make a tight sliding fit. One or more pairs of corresponding holes 48 are drilled through said anchor tube and said stanchion member and roll pins 36 or other suitable fastenings are driven or inserted through them to fix said stanchion member to said anchor tube. Dress piece 28 is placed on and positioned at the bottom of said stanchion member and secured in place by a locking bar 39 inserted as described in relation to Figures 3, 4 and 5 through opposed apertures 37 in said stanchion member to engage groove 38 provided in said dress piece. In the preferred embodiment, an O-ring (not shown) is accommodated in a suitable groove (not shown) provided in the upper part of said dress piece to prevent said dress pieces from marring the polished external surfaces of said stanchion member. In an alternative embodiment, said dress piece is fixed to the base of said stanchion member using grub screws as described in relation to Figure 6. Obviously, in an alternative embodiment, said anchor tube may be made smaller in diameter and said stanchion member positioned over its exterior.

With reference to Figure 10, further alternative means are provided to fix said stanchion members to a supporting surface. In this arrangement, anchor bolt 43 is cast into supporting surface 27 and mounting boss 41 secured to threaded upper part 45 of said anchor bolt by the tightening of suitable nut 46. In the preferred embodiment, lug 44 is provided on the lower end of said anchor bolt to better secure said anchor bolt in said supporting surface. The lower end 34 of said stanchion tube is positioned over said mounting boss with its end surface abutting flange 42 provided at the bottom of said mounting boss, the diameters of their complementary surfaces being such as to make a tight sliding fit. One or more pairs of corresponding holes 47 are drilled through said anchor tube and said mounting boss and roll pins 36 or other suitable fastenings are driven or inserted through them to fix said stanchion member to said mounting boss. Dress piece 28 is placed on and positioned at the bottom of said stanchion member and secured in place by a locking bar 39 inserted as described in relation to Figure 9. In the preferred embodiment, an O-ring (not shown) is accommodated in a suitable groove (not shown) provided in the upper part of said dress piece to prevent said dress piece from marring the polished external surface of said stanchion member. In an alternative embodiment, said dress piece is fixed to the base of said stanchion member using grub screws as described in relation to Figure 6.

With reference again to Figures 1 and 2, where a horizontal rail member 7 is to be fixed between two stanchion members 1 in fixed positions, it is cut to a length such that, with its ends fully inserted into bores 11 of socket fittings 6, the outer ends of said socket fittings can just be accommodated between the ends of grub screws 4 screwed into nodal rings 2. Said socket fittings are slid outwardly on said horizontal rail member to introduce the ends of said grub screws into threaded bores 10 of said socket fittings and said socket fittings then are turned to engage said threaded bores and screw said socket fittings fully and tightly onto said socket fittings.

With reference to Figures 11 and 12, alternative means are provided to fix a said horizontal rail member between two said stanchion members in fixed positions. In this embodiment, nodal rings 2 are secured to stanchion members 1 by one or more grub screws 4 in the manner previously described. Said grub screws are of a length such that they protrude only slightly from said nodal ring when tightened. Counter bores 49 are provided in said nodal ring around said grub screws extending through approximately half the depth of said nodal ring. Bore 51 is provided through socket fitting 6 collinear with its longitudinal axis and said bore is provided with one or more splines, keys or other locating means 53. Hollow bolt 52 passes freely through bore 51 of said socket fitting but is constrained from independent rotational movement in relation to said socket fitting by complementary locating means 54 provided on the outer shank of said hollow bolt. Said hollow bolt is provided with a threaded bore 55 which is adapted to be screwed over that part of said grub screw exposed within counterbore 49, causing plain inner shank 56 of said hollow bolt to enter said counterbore. Spring retaining pan 59 made from a suitable light material is pressed into horizontal rail member 7 and retained by friction. The head 57 of said hollow bolt is provided with spring locating boss 58 and bolt projection spring 61 is located between said spring locating boss and a similar boss 60 formed on said spring retaining pan. In use, said nodal ring is secured to said stanchion member by screwing one or more said grub screws into threaded bores 8 and tightening them against said stanchion member. Said hollow bolt is pushed back into said socket fitting against the urging of said projection spring and the end of said socket fitting 29 aligned with said grub screw, permitting said hollow bolt to index with the outer end of said grub screw. Said socket fitting is then turned to screw said hollow bolt onto said grub screw, said hollow bolt being tightened against said nodal ring using a non-marring, strap-type wrench of leather or textile material to turn said socket fitting.

Where a said socket fitting is to be fixed to a fixing surface other than a said stanchion member, attachment means in the form of a double-ended bolt (not shown) are employed. One part of said double-ended bolt is provided with a coarse, tapered thread similar to that of a coach bolt. The other part of said double-ended bolt is provided with a conventional parallel thread complementary with that of said socket fitting. A flatted, medial collar is provided between the two said threaded parts. In use, said tapered threaded part of said bolt is screwed and tightened into a suitable bore in said fixing surface, being turned by means of a suitable tool applied to said flatted collar. Said socket fitting is then screwed and tightened onto said parallel threaded part in the manner previously described.

With reference to Figure 13, rail member 7 is fixed to nodal ring 2 at an angle. This is achieved simply by providing threaded bores 8 in said nodal ring at a suitable angle and then assembling said components in the manner previously described.

In all cases in which a said nodal ring is fixed to a said stanchion member using one or more said grub screws, a support piece (not shown) made from a short length of thickwalled tubing or solid cylinder of a suitable hard material having an external diameter slightly less than that of said stanchion member is inserted into the interior of said stanchion member to support said stanchion member and prevent its collapse inwardly as a result of the high, localized force generated by said grub screws.

Obviously, in simple arrangements of said railing, fencing, balustrading or the like, said toroido-cylindrical nodal rings may be replaced by a solid annulus with cylindrical bore and having a right or tapered cylindrical outer surface and upper and/or lower surfaces flat and normal to the axis of said cylindrical bore, flat and disposed at an angle to the axis of said cylindrical bore, or regularly curved in various ways.

Obviously, the exterior surfaces of said nodal rings and said socket fittings may be decorated by grooving, texturing or the like.

References in the foregoing to features in the singular are intended, wherever appropriate, to refer to features in the plural.

Claims (46)

1. A method of assembling together primary and secondary members of railing, fencing, balustrading or the like, in which toroido-cylindrical nodal rings are suitably positioned on primary members, said nodal rings being secured in place by one or more suitably positioned extended grub screws screwed into more or less radially- arranged, threaded bores in said nodal rings with their inner ends tightened against said primary members, said grub screws extending radially beyond said nodal rings to provide attachment means for socket fittings, threaded bores of said socket fittings being screwed and tightened onto said grub screw extensions, the ends of secondary members being supported by their being accommodated within plain bores of said socket fittings.

2. The method according to Claim 1 in which a said nodal ring is shaped more or less as a regular toroid from which material has been removed internally to create a cylindrical bore passing through the full thickness of said toroid and collinear with its axis.

3. The method according to Claim I in which said diameter of said cylindrical bore of a said nodal ring is such as to provide an easy sliding fit on a said primary member.

4. The method according to Claim 1 in which the exterior surfaces of said nodal rings are decorated by grooving, texturing or the like.

The method according to Claim 1 in which a said nodal ring takes the form of a solid annulus with cylindrical bore and having a right or tapered cylindrical outer surface and upper and/or lower surfaces flat and normal to the axis of said cylindrical bore, flat and disposed at an angle to the axis of said cylindrical bore, or regularly curved in various ways.

6. The method according to Claim I in which one or more rings are each accommodated in suitable grooves provided in said bores of said nodal rings to frictionally retain said nodal rings in place on said primary members during assembly and to prevent marring of said primary members during positioning on them of said nodal rings.

7. The method according to Claim I in which said nodal rings are positioned on said primary members at the top or anywhere along their lengths for the attachment of secondary members.

8. The method according to Claim 1 in which said secondary members become, in turn, primary members to which tertiary members of smaller diameter are fixed.

9. The method according to Claim I in which the diameter of said plain bores of said socket fittings is such as to provide an easy sliding fit within said bores of said ends of said secondary members.

The method according to Claim 1 in which one or more rings are each accommodated in suitable grooves provided in said in plain bores of said socket fittings to frictionally retain said ends of said secondary members in place during assembly and to prevent marring of said ends during positioning of them in said plain bores.

11. The method according to Claim I in which suitably shaped recesses are provided in the ends of grub screws, said shaped recesses being engaged by suitable tightening tools.

12. The method according to Claim 1 in which suitable solid or substantially solid, close fitting plugs are provided in the bores of said primary members to support said primary members against collapsing forces applied by said grub screws.

13. The method according to Claim I in which the exterior surfaces of said socket fittings are decorated by grooving, texturing or the like.

14. The method according to Claim 1 in which the general shape of said socket fittings comprises a cylindrical part within which is provided said plain bore and a tapered part in which is provided said threaded bore, both said bores being collinear with said socket fitting.

The method according to Claim 1 in which said cylindrical part and said tapered part of said socket fitting are shaped for decorative purposes and are not, respectively, regularly cylindrical or regularly tapered.

16. The method according to Claim I in which the nose face of said tapered part of said socket fitting is made flat and normal to the axis of said socket fitting and a complementary flat mating surface is provided on the exterior surface of said nodal ring around each of said threaded bores.

17. The method according to Claim 1 in which the nose face of said tapered part of said socket fitting is shaped to provide an accurate or approximate surface complementary to the contact surface of said nodal ring.

18. The method according to Claim 1 in which the open end of a said primary member is closed with a plug-type cap fitting, a hollow cylindrical shank of said cap fitting entering part of said cylindrical bore of a said nodal fitting positioned at the upper end of said primary member, said cylindrical shank making an easy sliding fit with said cylindrical bore and being secured in place in said cylindrical bore by one or more grub screws screwed though radially-arranged, threaded bores provided in said cylindrical shank to engage said cylindrical bore.

19. The method according to Claim I in which open ends of said primary members are closed with a plug-type cap fitting, a cylindrical shank of said cap fitting being made solid or substantially solid and sufficiently long to extend into said bore of said stanchion member beneath a said nodal ring positioned at the top of said stanchion member and, by making a close fit with the inner surface of said stanchion member, to support said stanchion member against collapsing forces applied by said grub screws.

The method according to Claim 19 in which said cap fitting is installed in said nodal ring prior to its positioning on the upper end of said primary member, said grub screws being inserted and tightened from the hollow interior of said cylindrical shank.

21. The method according to any of Claims 18, 19 or 20 in which the exterior surfaces of said cap fitting are decoratively shaped.

22. The method according to Claim 1 in which said nodal rings are secured in place on said primary members with one or more small grub screws screwed and tightened into and completely accommodated within radially-arranged, threaded bores provided in said nodal rings.

23. The method according to Claim 22 in which said threaded bores provided in said nodal rings open to the lower surfaces of said nodal rings and are positioned at an angle of approximately 450 to the axes of said primary members.

24. The method according to Claim 1 in which said nodal rings are secured in place on said primary members with locking bars provided in the bores of said primary members, the ends of said locking bars passing outwards through opposed apertures provided in the walls of said primary members to engage circumferential grooves provided in said cylindrical bores of said nodal rings.

The method according to Claim 24 in which a said locking bar is made in the form of a thin bar or strip of a suitable stiffly-elastic metal, such as spring steel, and is provided along part of its length with convolutions facilitating its elastic deformation, said locking bar being elastically deformed to allow it to enter a said bore of a said primary member and being positioned and removed through the use of a suitable extended tool.

26. The method according to Claim 24 in which the corners of said ends of said locking bar are formed into points which positively engage the surface of said circumferential groove, thereby acting to prevent rotation of said nodal ring on said primary member.

27. The method according to Claim 1 in which panels are fixed to railing, fencing, balustrading or the like by their ends being captured in supporting members in the form of more or less square channels, said supporting members being fixed to said nodal rings suitably positioned on said primary members and secured in place using suitable fastening means.

28. The method according to Claim 1 in which said primary members in the form of stanchions are fixed into position by their lower ends being cast into a supporting surface.

29. The method according to Claim I in which said primary members in the form of stanchions are fixed into position by their lower ends being entered into anchor tubes cast into a supporting surface, the internal and external diameters, respectively, of said anchor tubes and said primary members being such as to provide an easy sliding fit, said primary members being secured in position in said anchor tubes by suitable fastenings passing through both and maintained flush with the exteriors of said anchor tubes.

The method according to Claim 1 in which said primary members in the form of stanchions are fixed into position by their lower ends being engaged with mounting bosses secured to a supporting surface by nuts tightened onto anchor bolts cast into said supporting surface, said primary members being secured in position on said mounting bosses by suitable fastenings passing through both and positioned flush with the exteriors of said primary members.

31. The method according to any of Claims 28, 29 or 30 in which suitable dress pieces are positioned over said primary members at their bases and secured in place by one or more grub screws screwed and tightened into radially-arranged threaded bores passing through upward extensions of said dress pieces to engaged the exterior surfaces of said primary members or by the locking bars of Claims 24, 25 and 26.

32. The method according to Claim 1 in which said primary members in the form of stanchions are fixed into position by their lower ends being entered into the bores of mounting flanges fixed with suitable fastenings to a supporting surface, the internal and external diameters, respectively, of said mounting flange bores and said primary members being such as to provide an easy sliding fit, each said primary member being secured in position in a said mounting flange by one or more grub screws screwed and tightened into radially-arranged threaded bores provided in an upward extension of said mounting flange to engaged the exterior surface of said primary member.

33. The method according to Claim 1 in which a more or less horizontal said secondary member is fixed between two vertical said primary members located in fixed positions by suitable hollow threaded bolts in said socket fittings being screwed and tightened onto said grub screws in said nodal rings, said grub screws being shortened to protrude only slightly from said nodal rings when tightened, engagement of said grub screws by said hollow threaded bolts being facilitated by the provision in said nodal rings of counterbores extending inwardly through approximately half the radial depth of said nodal rings around and collinear with said grub screws.

34. The method according to Claim 33 in which said threaded hollow bolts are keyed to but free to move axially in suitable collinear bores provided in said socket fittings and are tightened onto said grub screws by rotating said socket fittings on the ends of said secondary member using a suitable tool, the heads of said bolts abutting the inner surface of said socket fittings when said bolts are tightened onto said grub screws.

The method according to Claim 33 in which said hollow threaded bolts are urged into contact with said grub screws by suitable springs engaging suitable locating bosses on said bolt heads and abutting suitable retaining pans pressed into said horizontal members adjacent their ends.

36. The method according to Claim I in which a said socket fitting is fixed to a surface other than a said nodal ring by means of a double-ended bolt, one end of said bolt being provided with a coarse, tapered thread similar to that of a coach bolt and the other being provided with a conventional parallel thread complementary with that of said socket fitting, a medial flatted collar being provided between said two threaded parts, said tapered threaded part of said bolt being screwed and tightened into said fixing surface by means of a suitable tool applied to said flatted collar, said socket fitting then being screwed and tightened onto said parallel threaded part.

37. The method according to Claim I in which a more or less horizontal said secondary member is fixed between two vertical said primary members located in fixed positions by suitable lengthening of said socket fittings and thereby lengthening their said plain bores to accommodate said screwing and tightening of said threaded bores of said socket fittings onto said grub screws while still positively accommodating said ends of said secondary member.

38. The method according to Claim 1 in which a said secondary member approaches a said nodal ring at an ascending or descending angle, said angular arrangement of said secondary member being accommodated by drilling said grub screw threaded bore radially but at a suitable angle to a plane normal to the axis of said primary member.

39. Apparatus for assembling together primary and secondary members of railing, fencing, balustrading or the like comprising toroido-cylindrical nodal rings positionable on said primary members and provided with radially-arranged, threaded bores; extended grub screws to be screwably accommodated within said threaded bores to lock said nodal rings on said primary members and of sufficient length to extend radially beyond said nodal rings; and socket fittings provided with threaded bores screwably attachable to said grub screw extensions and plain bores to accommodate the ends of said secondary members.

Apparatus according to Claim 39 in which a said nodal ring is shaped more or less as a regular toroid from which material has been removed internally to create a cylindrical bore passing through the full thickness of said toroid and collinear with its axis.

41. Apparatus according to Claim 39 in which said diameter of said cylindrical bore of a said nodal ring is such as to provide an easy sliding fit on a said primary member.

42. Apparatus according to Claim 39 in which said secondary members become, in turn, primary members to which tertiary members of smaller diameter are fixed.

43. Apparatus according to Claim 39 in which the diameter of said plain bores of said socket fittings is such as to provide an easy sliding fit within said bores of said ends of said secondary members.

44. Apparatus according to Claim 39 in which suitable solid or substantially solid, close- fitting plugs are provided in the bores of said primary members to support said primary members against collapsing forces applied by said grub screws.

Apparatus according to Claim 39 in which the general shape of said socket fittings comprises a cylindrical part in which is provided said plain bore and a tapered part in which is provided said threaded bore, both said bores being collinear with said socket fitting.

46. Apparatus according to Claim 39 in which the nose face of said tapered part of said socket fitting is made in a shape complementary to the exterior surface of said nodal ring around each of its said threaded bores.